Celebrating the Retirement of Robert J. Hand

Floor Speech

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Mr. COSTA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate and recognize the service of Mr. Robert J. Hand's thirty year career dedicated to public service. Until his recent retirement, Mr. Hand served as the Executive Director for Resources for Independence, Central Valley (RICV) for the past ten years. RICV is a non- profit organization whose mission is to ``encourage people with disabilities to be in control of their lives and to live more independently through a diverse range of choices and opportunities.'' Bob dedicated his forty-year career to public service, and his efforts will continue to impact the community and be felt by all who have had the opportunity to work with him along the way.

Bob has been very active in many organizations and has held countless leadership roles over the course of his career. Through his role with RICV, Bob aided in the establishment of Inspiration Park, California's first universally accessible public park. The eight-acre park features several basketball courts, a fully accessible playground, a sensory garden, fitness cluster, Dog Park, and so much more. While there are many parks in California that feature some disabled friendly features, Inspiration Park is the only one that serves these needs one hundred percent. Additionally, since the park's recent opening in late 2015, Bob and his team at RICV, along with their other partners, have committed to providing funding for the general development along with maintenance of the park.

In addition to his time at RICV, Bob also served as the former Chairman of the Board of the California Foundation for Independent Living Centers, California State Rehabilitation Council, and the City of Fresno Disability Advisory Commission. He is also the founder and facilitator of the Central Valley Coalition for Human Services. Bob received his Master's Degree in Rehabilitation Counseling from California State University, Fresno and later returned as an adjunct instructor to teach leadership development for people suffering from disabilities. He has shared countless presentations in California, Kansas, South Carolina, and South Korea aimed to supplement the ``Leaders without Limits'' training manuals which he co-authored. While Bob's career has been filled with many personal accomplishments, it is without a doubt that his life's goal was not to improve upon his own successes, but rather to improve the lives of others.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in celebrating a man who has dedicated his entire career to public service. Bob's many accomplishments within the community are a direct reflection of his strong dedication and perseverance. Through these accomplishments, Bob has improved the lives of many, and even upon his retirement, will undeniably continue to do so for many years to come.

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