[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 189 (Tuesday, December 6, 2022)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1220]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  HONORING SUPERVISOR BRAD WAGENKNECHT

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. MIKE THOMPSON

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, December 6, 2022

  Mr. THOMPSON of California. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Napa 
County Supervisor Brad Wagenknecht in honor of his service to our 
community upon his retirement.
  Mr. Wagenknecht grew up in the Browns Valley area of Napa and 
graduated from the University of California, Santa Cruz with a Bachelor 
of Arts degree in Political Science and Elementary Education in 1977. 
After college, Mr. Wagenknecht began his career as a school teacher 
with the Napa Unified School District where he has often been 
instrumental in supporting children with emotional challenges.
  In 1984, Mr. Wagenknecht was elected to the Napa City Council and 
despite the many responsibilities of a life in public office, including 
a term as Mayor, he has continued to teach to this day. Mr. Wagenknecht 
was elected to represent the First District on the Napa County Board of 
Supervisors in 1998.
  For more than two decades on the Board of Supervisors, Mr. 
Wagenknecht has made immeasurable contributions to environmental 
preservation. He helped gain support from Napa County to join Marin 
Clean Energy, instituted urban growth boundaries that limit the city's 
carbon footprint and increased funding for the Napa Open Space 
District. Mr. Wagenknecht has supported numerous local organizations 
including the Bay Area Air Quality Management District, the Bay 
Conservation and Development Commission, the Napa County Children and 
Families Commission, the California State Association of Counties and 
the Area Agency on Aging. In the face of unprecedented challenges such 
as the 2015 Napa Earthquake, 2017 Northern California wildfires, 2020 
LNU Lightning Complex fires and the COVID-19 Pandemic, Mr. Wagenknecht 
remained resolute in his commitment to help Napa County rebuild and 
recover.
  Mr. Wagenknecht has brought about significant policies to support the 
arts, libraries, education, youth opportunities, social justice and 
mental health. He has been dedicated to working with his community and 
hearing their concerns, holding frequent office hours whenever and 
wherever he could. As a lifelong athlete who runs 300 days a year, Mr. 
Wagenknecht has encouraged local sporting events and organizes the 
annual Napa County basketball game. He is a proud husband to his wife 
Kathy, father of five and grandfather of one.
  Madam Speaker, we thank Supervisor Wagenknecht for his decades of 
selfless service and commitment to the people of Napa County. His 
efforts have made our county a more welcoming, green and enjoyable 
place to live. Therefore, it is fitting and proper that we honor him 
here today.

                          ____________________