[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 149 (2003), Part 7]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 9718]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




 TRIBUTE TO THE ASSISTANT CITY MANAGER BOB WALES, CITY OF RIVERSIDE, CA

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                            HON. KEN CALVERT

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 10, 2003

  Mr. CALVERT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor and pay tribute to an 
individual whose dedication and contributions to the community of 
Riverside, California are exceptional. The community of Riverside has 
been fortunate to have dynamic and dedicated community leaders who 
willingly and unselfishly give their time and talent and make their 
communities a better place to live and work. Bob Wales is one of these 
individuals. On Thursday, April 10, 2003, Bob will be honored at a 
retirement reception in recognition of his contributions as the 
Riverside Assistant City Manager.
  Bob received his Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering from 
Virginia Polytechnic Institute in 1962. Upon graduation, Bob was 
commissioned in the U.S. Army and served honorably as a First 
Lieutenant in Orleans, France until joining the California Division of 
Highways in 1964. Bob obtained his license as a Professional Engineer 
from the State of California in 1969. Bob's accomplishments include the 
design of the 2/210 freeway interchange as well as the design of 
numerous bridges throughout California.
  Bob began his career with the City of Riverside as an Associate 
Engineer in the Public Works Department in August of 1969. Over the 
following eight years Bob served as a Senior Engineer and a Principal 
Engineer.
  In 1977, Bob was named Public Works Director and continued in that 
position for ten years until he was later appointed Assistant City 
Manager of Development. His duties included the oversight of the Public 
Works, Planning, Airport and Development Departments, as well as 
negotiating agreements with private developers and ensuring expeditious 
processing of key economic development projects.
  In 1986, Bob was appointed Executive Director of the Riverside 
Redevelopment Agency in addition to his other duties. In that position 
he has contributed to all facets of redevelopment in the City's six 
project areas. Under his exemplary leadership, the Agency has been 
involved in hundreds of projects worth millions of dollars including 
the reopening of the historic Mission Inn, the construction of a 
California State office building, the redevelopment of a major portion 
of the east side of Riverside with two large scale retail/entertainment 
projects and the creation of a Justice Center in the downtown area 
which brought in a State Court of Appeals, a U.S. Bankruptcy Court, a 
U.S. Federal District Court and a County Family Law Court.
  Bob's tireless passion for community service has contributed 
immensely to the betterment of the community of Riverside, California. 
He has been the heart and soul of many of the redevelopment projects 
and the vision of the future for Riverside and I am proud to call him a 
fellow community member, American and friend. I know that many 
community members are grateful for his service and salute him as he 
retires.

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