[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 153 (2007), Part 25]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 34382]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                          HONORING ROB PHIPPS

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. GEORGE RADANOVICH

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, December 13, 2007

  Mr. RADANOVICH. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of 
Councilman Rob Phipps for his dedicated service to the city of Ceres. 
Mr. Phipps passed away on December 3, 2007; he was 44 years old. A 
memorial service was held on Saturday, December 8, 2007.
  Councilman Phipps was born and raised in Ceres, CA, and graduated 
from Ceres High School in 1981. He was a lifelong community member and 
advocate. He was the general manager of River Oaks Golf Course, a 
family-owned business, since the 1990s. He was also active in the local 
junior golf program, River Oaks Junior Golf, Incorporated. Outside of 
golf, Mr. Phipps was involved in city government. He was appointed to 
the Ceres city council in 2001 after serving 2 years on the planning 
commission. He was elected to the City Council in 2003 and re-elected 
in November of this year. Councilman Phipps served as vice mayor.
  While serving on the council. Councilman Phipps' primary focus was on 
public safety, economic development and recreational opportunities for 
children. He was instrumental in the development of Neel and Sam Ryno 
neighborhood parks, the Costa Field renovations and numerous other City 
improvement projects. He worked tirelessly to improve the quality of 
life for Ceres' residents and was heavily involved in a plan to develop 
land within the city to recruit higher-paying jobs. He served on a 
number of committees including the Planning Commission, Christmas 
Festival Committee, City-Schools Committee, Daniel Whitemore Home 
Restoration Committee, General Plan Review Committee, Local Emergency 
Planning Committee, Volunteer Firefighter of Service Qualification 
Review Committee, Stanislaus-Ceres Redevelopment Commission, Stanislaus 
Elder Abuse Prevention Alliance and The Alliance Board of Directors. He 
was a passionate advocate for the City of Ceres.
  Madam Speaker, I rise today to posthumously honor Councilman Rob 
Phipps for his impact on the city of Ceres and those that live there. I 
invite my colleagues to join me in honoring his life and wishing the 
best for his family.

                          ____________________