[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 153 (2007), Part 1]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 643]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




          HONORING BEN ANDERSON OF AMERICAN CANYON, CALIFORNIA

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. MIKE THOMPSON

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, January 9, 2007

  Mr. THOMPSON of California. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Ben 
Anderson of American Canyon, California, and thank him for his many 
years of service devoted to the city and people of American Canyon. As 
a member of the first city council elected in 1992, Ben Anderson has 
generously lent his wisdom and guidance to the process of constituting 
a city government.
  Mr. Anderson moved to the area in the early 1980s as an officer in 
the US Navy at the Mare Island Naval Shipyard. In the early 1990s he 
was instrumental in beginning the petition process and collecting 
signatures for the incorporation of American Canyon. Having received 
encouragement from other citizens involved in the campaign, he ran for 
a seat on the city council and won. He retired from service in the Navy 
around the same time he took his seat on the council, citing his desire 
to devote his efforts to full time service to the community.
  During his 14 years as a council member Mr. Anderson has helped guide 
the development of American Canyon from its infancy into the rapidly 
growing and successful town we know today. Faced with a variety of 
challenges in managing the growth of the city, the council has 
overseen, the development of a complex but functional civic 
infrastructure. Mr. Anderson has been actively involved in the 
development of schools and libraries, a gym and swimming pool, and a 
series of commercial ventures that have brought flourishing businesses 
to the city.
  In addition to his work in city government, Mr. Anderson has been a 
conscientious leader to the community. He volunteers as a coach with 
local youth sports leagues, working with multiple soccer or basketball 
teams at any given time. He has also been an active participant with 
the local Lion's Club and Veterans of Foreign Wars, including assisting 
their charitable efforts with his considerable organizational 
expertise. Finally, and most importantly, he has established a high 
standard during the proceedings of the city council by always treating 
city staff, council members, and the community with politeness and 
respect in the conduct of his duties as a City Councilman.
  Madam Speaker, it is appropriate at this time that we thank Mr. 
Anderson for the time he has served on the city council in American 
Canyon, and all of the many positive works his efforts have yielded. I 
know that he will remain an active and vocal member of the community 
even as he retires from elected office.

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