[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 22 (Friday, February 5, 2021)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E116]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         HONORING STEPHEN GALE

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. MIKE THOMPSON

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, February 5, 2021

  Mr. THOMPSON of California. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor 
Stephen Gale upon his retirement as Senior District Representative in 
my Santa Rosa office, and to recognize his longtime commitment to his 
community in Sonoma County.
  Stephen knows the meaning of hard work. From picking apricots in his 
teens to earning the title of youngest Section Head at Hughes Aircraft 
Company, Stephen has been known as a humble, yet driven man. Not 
content with this early success, he returned to school, earning a 
Master's in Business Administration from the University of Southern 
California. Embarking on his second career, he found success as 
Director of Strategic Investments at Fair Isaac and founder of 
Wellspring Business Development.
  Stephen has always had a passion for public service. Before joining 
my staff, he served as the Board of Public Utilities Chair for Santa 
Rosa, where he directed water distribution and spearheaded projects to 
develop renewable resources. He has also served as Business 
Representative to the County Commission that established the Sonoma-
Marin Area Regional Transportation system and as the founding Chair of 
the North Bay Leadership Council. On top of his official duties, he 
found time to organize a week-long business simulation to teach 
entrepreneurial skills to high school students. For this, the Sonoma 
County Board of Supervisors awarded him a Gold Resolution in 
recognition of his leadership.
  Stephen's motivation to better our community led him to developing a 
passion for politics. In 2008, he was chosen to serve as Chair of the 
Sonoma County Democratic Party and revitalized the organization. His 
innate ability to bring together people of all political leanings, from 
progressives to moderates, helped him build a powerful Democratic 
coalition that secured Democratic victories and drove civic engagement. 
After the conclusion of his second term as chair, he joined the state 
party's Rules committee, where he used his expert knowledge of 
parliamentary procedures to ensure efficient and productive party 
activities.
  For seven years, Stephen has served our district well as the Senior 
District Representative in my Santa Rosa district office. As my 
countywide liaison for Sonoma County, he has worked to advance the 
interests of many important facets of the county, including 
agricultural producers and labor. Additionally, he has helped to lead 
the community through many trials and tribulations, including the 2017 
Tubbs fire and the Coronavirus pandemic. Notably, he was instrumental 
in advocating, both on the local and federal level, for the creation of 
the Veterans Village, which provided 14 homes for homeless veterans in 
Santa Rosa.
  Madam Speaker, Stephen Gale has made our community proud everyday 
through his passion and commitment to Sonoma County. It is therefore 
fitting and proper that we honor him here today.

                          ____________________