[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 159 (2013), Part 1]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 1134]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                      A TRIBUTE TO MR. JOHN WILMA

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. ERIC SWALWELL

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, February 8, 2013

  Mr. SWALWELL of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute 
to the life of Mr. John Wilma of Hayward, California, who passed away 
on January 25th. John was known as a tremendous family man, a business 
and community leader, and was a friend to countless individuals that he 
touched through his service to the people of the East Bay.
  John was an active member of our community, serving in several local 
community groups. He was a proud member of the Hayward Rotary Club for 
32 years and served as its president from 2002-2003. In 2005, John was 
honored as Outstanding Hayward Rotarian of the Year. John also was a 
member of the boards of the Hayward Chamber of Commerce, the Alameda 
County Fair, and the Rowell Ranch Rodeo Association.
  John operated his small business in Hayward, alongside his beloved 
wife Robin, since 1976. He always was willing to donate his 
professional time to many, including the motorcycle units of the 
Hayward Police Department and the Alameda County Sheriff's Office. For 
his outstanding business practices, John was honored with the Hayward 
Chamber of Commerce's Inaugural Businessperson of the Year Award in 
1989.
  John always lived his life by the Rotary International motto of 
``Service Above Self.'' A few years ago, John and his family helped 
start The Dictionary Project, wherein local Rotarians would visit each 
third grade classroom in Hayward and provide these students with a 
dictionary to assist them with learning, reading, and academic 
advancement. This is but one example of John's dedicated service 
through which he touched and improved the lives of so many of those 
around him.
  John is survived by his wife of 43 years Robin Wilma, daughter 
Lieutenant Colonel Alisa R. Wilma, brother Charles Wilma, sister-in-law 
Cindy Wheeler, and brother-in-law Christopher de St. Croix. I am 
honored to be paying tribute to John today. His tireless efforts and 
generosity in service to the East Bay community will be missed.

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