Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the memory and legacy of a dear friend and selfless public leader. Serving one of our State's fastest growing regions, Riverside County Supervisor Roy Wilson…
Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the memory and legacy of a dear friend and selfless public leader. Serving one of our State's fastest growing regions, Riverside County Supervisor Roy Wilson passed away in August after many years of service to our community. I consider it a great privilege to honor this remarkable and humble man by naming a post office located in Supervisor Wilson's home town of Palm Desert, CA, as the Roy Wilson Post Office.
Some of my colleagues representing nearby Districts in southern California may remember Roy Wilson and his many years of outstanding work on behalf of residents of our region. His integrity and steady leadership was invaluable and he has been missed by all who knew and loved him. Our thoughts and prayers continue to be with his loving wife, Aurora, and the rest of his family.
Roy Wilson represented the 4th District of Riverside County for 15 years, following 17 years of service on the Palm Desert City Council. Roy worked on many issues important to members of our community such as improving air quality, providing valuable education, and reducing spending to help strengthen the county's budget.
For many years, Roy Wilson taught at our local community college, College of the Desert, in Palm Desert, California. This campus has for decades been an important educational resource to local residents wishing to pursue higher education. Roy was instrumental in helping the campus grow and excel.
In addition, Roy Wilson worked to help protect the environment in our region through his
service of 22 years on the governing board of the South Coast Air Quality Management District. Our desert community attracts residents and visitors through its natural beauty, hiking trails and mountainous views. Through Roy Wilson's leadership, he truly helped preserve the health and well-being of our unique environment.
In recent years, as our County faced significant financial challenges, Roy moved to rein in spending in order to help improve the budget--difficult, but necessary in these financially troubling times.
The many capacities in which Roy worked to the betterment of our community are clear, but his humble leadership is what truly made him so unique and effective. Roy was able to engage in both sides of any discussion and truly earned the trust and respect of many local residents and leaders.
As a cherished member of our community, where many residents called him a friend and neighbor, this postal naming would be a special tribute to the late Supervisor Roy Wilson.
I ask that my colleagues join me in honoring this exceptional man and helping me and residents living in our community honor his life and legacy.
I'd like to thank Subcommittee Chairman Lynch and Ranking Member Chaffetz for their help in moving this bill forward.