[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 213 (Wednesday, December 16, 2020)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1159-E1160]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   HONORING PEGGY BREEDEN ON HER RETIREMENT AS MAYOR OF THE CITY OF 
                               RIDGECREST

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. KEVIN McCARTHY

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, December 16, 2020

  Mr. McCARTHY. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Peggy Breeden, a 
community leader, cancer survivor, friend, and Mayor of Ridgecrest, 
California. After having led the City of Ridgecrest over the last six 
years, Peggy is retiring as Mayor.
  Peggy was born in Syracuse, New York on her family's dairy farm where 
she and her siblings all worked tending and milking over 100 cows that 
their family raised. In fact, Peggy's family farm only received 
electricity in 1952, making her no stranger to hard work in the face of 
adversity. In 1982, she moved to Ridgecrest to be with friends and 
family and went on to own the Swap Sheet, a local advertising weekly 
newspaper. But she also had a calling for public service. In addition 
to managing her business, she served on numerous local boards and 
foundations, including the Indian Wells Valley Water District, Cerro 
Coso Community College Foundation Board, the Eastern Kern Air Pollution 
Control District, and the Navy Community Council.
  She took her commitment to serving the community of Ridgecrest a step 
further by successfully running for Mayor, making history both as 
Ridgecrest's first female mayor and as the first elected mayor since 
the office became its own position directly elected by city voters. 
Peggy's soft-spoken and unassuming manner should not understate her 
intense dedication to Ridgecrest, demonstrated leadership skills, and 
political acumen. She showcased these qualities as she dealt with one 
of the largest crises to ever face Ridgecrest.
  In July 2019, Ridgecrest experienced the largest earthquakes in over 
20 years, which

[[Page E1160]]

included two separate 6.4 and 7.1 magnitude earthquakes that did an 
estimated $3 billion of damage in the City and to the surrounding 
communities of Eastern Kern County, including Naval Air Weapons Station 
China Lake. Peggy sprang into action right away to help the residents 
of her community, working tirelessly with State and Federal officials 
to ensure that buildings and infrastructure were safe and that 
residents had access to food, shelter, and water immediately following 
the natural disaster. In the aftermath of the earthquakes, Peggy 
successfully worked to ensure that the President of the United States 
declared a Major Disaster, which opened Federal assistance programs and 
funding for displaced homeowners, renters, and businessowners so life 
could return to normal as quickly as possible.
  However, the earthquakes were not the only major challenge Peggy 
helped guide Ridgecrest through. This past year, she led the City 
through the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, working with the City Council 
and residents of the community to make sure that the City remained 
financially sound so it could continue operations, despite the economic 
downturn from various stay-at-home orders. Peggy also worked hard to 
ensure that negotiations between the city and the U.S. Navy remained on 
track to build a new wastewater treatment plant on NAWS China Lake to 
serve both the interests of the Navy and Ridgecrest. This project has 
seen its ups and downs over the years, but her steadfast commitment to 
it set the stage to help ensure it will come to fruition.
  While her achievements as Mayor may have made headlines, Peggy's 
tenure as Mayor is best defined by the everyday interactions she has 
with the people of Ridgecrest. Through devastating earthquakes and a 
rapidly spreading virus, to working to address sustainable groundwater 
policies and supporting the mutual interests of China Lake and 
Ridgecrest, Ridgecrest residents have always been able to count on 
Peggy to have their back.
  It has been an honor to work alongside Mayor Peggy Breeden over the 
past six years while she served in elected office for Ridgecrest, and I 
am proud to count her as a friend. I cannot thank her enough for her 
work in our community over the years. On behalf of the Ridgecrest 
community and the 23rd Congressional District, I want to wish her the 
best as she leaves public service and begins the next chapter of her 
life.

                          ____________________