Whereas, Bob Swanson will be honored as a Shining Star by the City of Hayward at its Volunteers Recognition and Awards Dinner on October 23, 2008, and it is appropriate at this time to highlight his many achievements and extend to him the special recognition of the public; and

Whereas,Throughout its history, California has been blessed with citizens who possess great public spirit, who in addition to their daily pursuits, have taken a keen interest in local affairs, and Bob Swanson has participated in numerous enterprises with evidence of lasting contributions to his community and state; and

Whereas, Born in 1946 and raised in Western Springs, Illinois, Bob Swanson proudly served his country as a member of the United States Navy and upon his return from his tour-of-duty in Vietnam he was assigned to the Naval Air Station in Alameda, California; and

Whereas, Following his honorable discharge in 1967 Bob Swanson attended Chabot College where he earned an Associate of Arts degree prior to his transfer to Sonoma State University, where he received a Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology and India studies and continued one year of post-graduate work in psychology; and

Whereas, Utilizing his knowledge and expertise as a teacher of psychology at Ohlone and De Anza colleges, Bob Swanson later taught Meditation for Stress Management at the Castro Valley Adult School and, for many years, he has been a human and civil rights advocate and has worked extensively with the East Indian Community; and

Whereas,In addition, Bob Swanson is a strong advocate of tenants rights, bringing distinction to himself as a founder of the Caltrans Tenants Organization, and he has lent his guidance and leadership for 21 years as a member of the Housing and Community Development Advisory Committee of the Alameda County Board of Supervisors; and

Whereas,Creating a legacy of community involvement and civic concern that will long inspire his fellow citizens, Bob Swanson has also served on the Castro Valley General Plan Revision Committee and Southern Alameda County Community Housing Resource Board, and he is a founding Board member of the Citizens for Castro Valley; and

Whereas, Currently a member of the Board of Directors of the Urban Village Farmers Market association Bob Swanson also shares his wise counsel as Vice President of the Board of Directors of Spectrum Community Services and as an Alternate Member on the Alameda County Democratic Party Central Committee; and

Whereas, As the Constituent Liaison and Community Organizer for Alameda County Supervisor Nate Miley, Bob Swanson represents the Supervisor in the unincorporated areas of Ashland Cherryland Castro Valley, Fairview, and the City of Dublin and, throughout the years, he has given much of his time and effort to fostering engagement in the political process as an active member of the Castro Valley Democratic Club, where he has served as President and is the current Webmaster; and

Whereas, Personifying that which is the very best in community leadership, Bob Swanson has become renowned for his superb ability to work with a diverse group of people in order to forge solutions, to the challenges that face the community, and he has made a lasting impression on those individuals with whom he has been associated; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by Assembly Member Mary Hayashi, That Bob Swanson be commended for the significant contributions he has made to the people of the Hayward community and throughout the state, and extended sincere best wishes for continued success in his future endeavors.