[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 158 (2012), Part 3]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 3928]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                           HONORING LARRY SLY

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. GEORGE MILLER

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, March 21, 2012

  Mr. GEORGE MILLER of California. Mr. Speaker, it is with great 
pleasure that I rise today to recognize and congratulate Larry Sly, 
Executive Director for the Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano, as he 
retires after 35 years of public service.
  A graduate of the University of California, Berkeley, Larry began his 
career as an Executive Director with the Food Bank of Contra Costa in 
1976. Starting with just two employees, Larry brought the organization 
a truck and trailer, where he stored bread that he picked up from a 
local grocery store. Soon, people in the area from local churches began 
distributing this bread to underprivileged people of the community.
  In Larry's first year as Executive Director of the Food Bank of 
Contra Costa, the organization distributed approximately 36,000 pounds 
of food to people in need of assistance in the local area. Eventually, 
the Food Bank would merge with a struggling Solano County Food Bank and 
develop a greater outreach program within the region. Every year, with 
Larry's leadership, the Food Bank steadily increases the number of 
families who received food donations and groceries; last year they 
distributed over 14 million pounds of food.
  During his time with the Food Bank, Larry has developed successful 
programs to help locals and agencies distribute food in a cheaper, more 
efficient manner. One such program, the Senior Food Program, provides 
low income senior citizens the opportunity to receive free groceries 
each month. Another, the Farm to Kid Program, provides five pounds of 
food every week for low income families as well as three to five pounds 
of fresh produce for every child in after school programs at low-income 
schools.
  Throughout his career in public service, Larry has served at a number 
of statewide and national organizations, He served as Vice Chair of the 
Board of Directors of Feeding America and the National Food Bank 
Network, as well as on the Board of Directors at the California 
Association of Food Banks and the Emergency Food and Shelter Board in 
Contra Costa County. In 2009, Larry also served as Interim Executive 
Director for Feeding America San Diego, where he helped improve and 
manage the organization.
  Mr. Speaker, I invite this chamber to join me in recognizing Larry 
Sly for his commitment and significant service to the people of Contra 
Costa and Solano Counties. I applaud Larry's contributions on behalf of 
the underprivileged, and his efforts to increase awareness of hunger 
and food security issues throughout California and the Nation. Larry's 
leadership throughout his career provides a positive example for those 
planning to serve their communities. I am pleased to join his family, 
colleagues, and friends in congratulating him as he retires from the 
Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano.

                          ____________________