[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 163 (2017), Part 1]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 573-574]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                HONORING THE CAREER OF MR. HUBERT WALSH

                                  _____
                                 

                             HON. JIM COSTA

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, January 10, 2017

  Mr. COSTA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the career and 
achievements of Mr. Hubert ``Hub'' Walsh, outgoing chairman of the 
Merced County Board of Supervisors and longtime servant to the people 
of Merced. Mr. Walsh has been an eminent figure in Merced politics for 
many years, occupying various elected positions at the city and county 
levels. His unfailing drive to serve the people of Merced in all 
available capacities has cemented his legacy as a leader, public 
figure, and role model in the community.
  Mr. Walsh arrived in Merced in 1967 with his mother, father, brother, 
and sister after spending much of his life moving from community to 
community due to his father's career in the Air Force. Mr. Walsh 
graduated from Merced High School in 1968, and moved on to attain his 
associate degree from Merced College in 1970. He transferred to the 
University of California, Berkeley shortly thereafter, and received his 
Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Sociology in 1973. Mr. Walsh made 
the decision to serve his country in the United States Army after 
graduation, spending the greater portion of his tour of duty in Ft. 
Lewis, Washington, where he was able to concurrently earn a master's 
degree in Social Science from Pacific Lutheran University. After his 
service in the Army, Mr. Walsh married his college sweetheart, Rita 
Arzamendi, with whom he had two children, Melissa and Travis. Mr. Walsh 
then earned a Master's in Business Administration from California State 
University, Stanislaus, all the while remaining active in his church 
and community.
  Mr. Walsh spent over thirty years working in the Merced County Human 
Services Agency in various positions, which allowed him to affect a 
great deal of positive change throughout the city and county of Merced. 
Mr. Walsh has been involved in a breadth of public service 
organizations, playing the role of administrator and advocate for 
countless causes and groups throughout Merced, ranging from Parks and 
Recreation to drug abuse prevention programs. Mr. Walsh's decision to 
run for Merced City Council in 1995 would foster his long,

[[Page 574]]

fruitful career as an elected representative. After serving two terms 
on the City Council, Mr. Walsh was elected Mayor of Merced in 2001, 
where he served two terms before winning his election bid for a seat on 
the Merced County Board of Supervisors. During his time as a 
Councilman, Mayor, and Supervisor, Mr. Walsh's efforts to reinforce and 
transform the image of Merced have been immeasurably beneficial for the 
many people he has served. Mr. Walsh has routinely demonstrated to his 
colleagues and constituency that no issue is too big or small to 
tackle. This credence has earned Merced a litany of achievements thanks 
in large part to Mr. Walsh's efforts.
  Although Mr. Walsh's retirement finds us with a heavy heart, there is 
no doubt that he will remain an active member of his community. Mr. 
Walsh's passion for public service runs beyond the positions that he 
has held, but is evidenced throughout his whole career and adult life.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in recognizing the 
remarkable career and achievements of Mr. Hubert Walsh. His tenure in 
public service will be appreciated for years to come.

                          ____________________