The Congressional Record is a unique source of public documentation. It started in 1873, documenting nearly all the major and minor policies being discussed and debated.
“MOURNING LOSS OF MAYOR RALPH APPEZZATO” mentioning the U.S. Dept. of Transportation was published in the Extensions of Remarks section on pages E1626 on Sept. 19, 2002.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
MOURNING LOSS OF MAYOR RALPH APPEZZATO
______
HON. BARBARA LEE
of california
in the house of representatives
Thursday, September 19, 2002
Ms. LEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today with a heavy heart and deep sadness over the loss of Mayor Ralph Appezzato. Ralph was a friend and a colleague. I offer my heartfelt sympathy to his wife of 34 years, Marilyn, and their three sons, David, Jason and Joshua.
I always valued Ralph's counsel and his friendship. He will be remembered as one of our nation's most effective mayors, particularly for his leadership in the award-winning conversion of the former Alameda Naval Base to successful civilian uses.
Like many friends, colleagues and citizens in the Bay Area, I was shocked to learn about Ralph's untimely death. With his passing we have lost a warrior for social justice and positive change. Ralph was a dedicated public servant held in the highest regard.
Ralph was elected Mayor of the City of Alameda on November 8, 1994, and reelected November 3, 1998. He was previously elected to the City Council in November, 1992 and was a member of the Alameda City Planning Board, twice serving as President.
Ralph is a graduate of Seton Hall University and went on to receive a graduate degree in Education from Villanova University. He is also a graduate of the Armed Forces Command and General Staff College.
Ralph served as a Marine Corps Officer, retiring as a Colonel in 1983. After leaving the Marine Corps, he was a Vice President at Bank of America for seven years and Chief Operating Officer at Volunteers of America for four years.
Ralph's dedication to community issues was reflected in his participation on many regional organizations in the San Francisco Bay Area, including: the Alameda Reuse and Redevelopment Authority; the East Bay Conversion and Reinvestment Commission; the Alameda County Waste Management Authority; the Alameda County Congestion Management Agency; the Alameda County Mayors' Conference; the Alameda County Airport Land Use Commission; the Metropolitan Transportation Commission; the San Francisco Bay Conservation and Development Commission; the San Francisco Bay Area Water Transit Authority; the Federal Department of Transportation Towing Safety Advisory Committee, and; the U.S. Conference of Mayors.
Ralph also served on several Boards of Directors, including: Alameda Council, Boy Scouts of America; Alameda Boys and Girls Club; Clara Barton Foundation, and; Alameda Meals on Wheels.
I join his family, the City of Alameda and the Bay Area as we mourn the passing of a great American.
____________________
