[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 153 (2007), Part 14]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 19669-19670]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




             HONORING DALE D. PETERSON UPON HIS RETIREMENT

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. GEORGE MILLER

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, July 18, 2007

  Mr. GEORGE MILLER of California. Madam Speaker, my colleague, Mrs. 
Ellen O. Tauscher, and I rise in honor of Dale D. Peterson who is 
retiring after more than 40 years of service to his country, our 
community, and the educational system of Contra Costa County.
  After earning a degree from Contra Costa College, Dale Peterson began 
his long career of public service by enlisting in the United States 
Marine Corps, serving from 1965 to 1969. Having completed this service 
to his country, Dale achieved his journeyman status after completing a 
4-year electrical apprenticeship.
  From 1973 to 1993, Dale worked as general electric contractor, a 
foreman, and a superintendent. His service during these years involved 
the responsibilities of managing commercial, residential and industrial 
electrical construction jobs in Contra Costa County. During this time 
Dale also served as the Assistant Business Manager of the IBEW Local 
302 and on several committees of that same labor union.
  For over 20 years, Dale Peterson has continued to share his time and 
talent with our community by serving on a number of Boards and 
Councils. His work as a Trustee of the Contra Costa Building Trade 
Council and as a member of the Contra Costa Central Labor Council 
reflect Dale Peterson's continued dedication to his fellow tradesmen 
and the labor movement in this county. Dale's work as a Contra Costa 
County Library Commissioner and as a member of the Board of Directors 
for both the East County Business Education Alliance and the Delta 
Advocacy Foundation demonstrates his enduring commitment to education 
and educational reform.
  In 1991, Dale Peterson became a Parent Education Facilitator at the 
Family Stress Center where he served for 8 years. In 2000 he enrolled 
in a Cornell University Course on Mutual Gains Bargaining. Over a 
period of 2 years, Dale completed three courses on land use planning, 
urban redevelopment, and environmental and planning law at a UC 
Berkeley Extension Campus.

[[Page 19670]]

  Since 2004 Dale Peterson has mobilized the construction industry to 
support high quality school reform in Contra Costa County and was 
instrumental in the creation of two high school career academies.
  Throughout his illustrious career, Dale Peterson has been a strong 
and steady voice for labor and education in Contra Costa County. He has 
always been a champion of youth and community programs and of preparing 
our children for higher education and the workforce. This continued 
commitment to labor and education in Contra Costa County have set Dale 
Peterson apart as a leader in our community.
  Today we recognize Dale Peterson's enduring strength, visionary 
leadership, and his lasting commitment to the workers, students and 
families of Contra Costa County and our Nation.
  Madam Speaker, please join me and my colleague, Mrs. Ellen O. 
Tauscher, in recognizing Dale D. Peterson as he retires from a long and 
honorable career.

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