[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 178 (Thursday, November 17, 2022)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1159]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   HONORING ANDREW ``ANDY'' CHESLEY FOR HIS DEDICATED PUBLIC SERVICE

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JERRY McNERNEY

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, November 17, 2022

  Mr. McNERNEY. Madam Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join me in 
celebrating the public service and achievements of Andrew ``Andy'' 
Chesley, who recently retired from his position as Executive Director 
of the San Joaquin Council of Governments, or ``SJCOG,'' after forty 
one years of service.
  Andy graduated from Miami University of Ohio with a Bachelor of Arts 
degree in political science and geography, after which he earned a 
master's degree in Urban and Regional Planning at the University of 
Iowa.
  During his fifteen years as Executive Director of the SJCOG, Andy 
oversaw its rise to prominence among California's metropolitan planning 
agencies, standing alongside the Bay Area's Metropolitan Transportation 
Commission, the Southern California Association of Governments, the San 
Diego Association of Governments, and the Sacramento Area Council of 
Governments. Andy was responsible for the management of the SJCOG's 
transportation planning and other regional planning activities, 
including implementation of the San Joaquin County Multi-Species 
Habitat Conservation and Open Space Plan. He also authored and 
implemented San Joaquin County's ``self-help'' sales tax for 
transportation, which was passed by the county's voters, allowing vital 
improvements to the region's highway and passenger rail transportation 
system, thereby making this economically challenged region more 
attractive to future residents and employers.
  In addition to his role at the SJCOG, Andy has been chair of the 
Regional Transportation Planning Agencies of California, is an officer 
of California's Self-Help Counties Coalition, and is a member of the 
Institute for Transportation Engineers, the American Planning 
Association, and the American Public Works Association. He has also 
been a speaker at state and national conferences of the American 
Planning Association, the American Society for Public Administrators, 
the National Association of Regional Councils, and the National 
Transportation Research Board.
  Through changing and challenging times, Andy has provided constant 
and steady leadership and wise counsel to elected officials charged 
with managing San Joaquin County's growth and has been a leader among 
his planning agency peers. He has contributed his knowledge and 
experience to the California's Central Valley and beyond, and he has 
made a positive impact on our great state.
  Please join me in recognizing Andrew ``Andy'' Chesley for his 
distinguished service and in wishing him well on his much-deserved 
retirement.

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