[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 156 (2010), Part 6] [Extensions of Remarks] [Page 7584] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]A TRIBUTE TO DAVID L. NICHOLS ______ HON. ANNA G. ESHOO of california in the house of representatives Thursday, May 6, 2010 Ms. ESHOO. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the extraordinary life and work of my mentor, teacher, and dear friend David Nichols who passed away at the age of 81 on March 11, 2010. David is survived by his four beautiful children . . . Mark of Oregon, Paul of Hillsborough, Beth DeGolia of Alamo, Stu of Los Altos, his beloved seven grandchildren, his daughter-in-laws and son-in-law. His beloved wife Edie preceded him in death. David Nichols was born in Turlock, California and received his Bachelor of Science and Master's Degree in Business Administration at the University of California at Berkeley. David was the captain of the varsity basketball team at the university and it was also where he met the love of his life and future wife, Edith (Edie) McEwing who was then the Student Body Vice President. When he graduated from Cal, David took his first job in Contra Costa County as an Assistant Administrative Analyst. This position was followed by a 35 year career of distinguished public service that shaped the lives of residents of Sonoma and San Mateo Counties. In 1955, David went to Sonoma County as an Assistant County Administrator, and in 1968, the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors appointed him Chief Administrative Officer. In January 1977, David became the County Manager of San Mateo County where he remained until his retirement in 1989. There was a point in time when David, as San Mateo County's Manager and his son Paul worked in the same building as a Deputy District Attorney. His son mentioned that even though they worked in the same building they would rarely go out to lunch because David would instead have lunch at home with Edie. Throughout his distinguished tenure in county government, David was involved in a number of professional organizations, regional governments and regulatory bodies. They include the Association of Bay Area Governments, California Regional Water Quality Control Board, California Coastal Commission, Bay Vision 2020 Commission and the National Association of County Administrators, where he served as President in 1977. While he was actively participating in all these organizations, David remained a staunch supporter of the University of California Alumni Association and the Bear Backers who support athletic programs. Beside his family, Cal was without a doubt, the other great of his life. Madam Speaker, I ask the entire House of Representatives to join me in honoring the life of David Nichols and that we express our deepest condolences to the Nichols family on their loss. I am especially blessed to have had him as a mentor, a teacher, and friend during the many years I served on the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors, with David as County Manager. David Nichols had a deeply held regard for public service. He treated all employees with respect and made sure those who worked with him were always faithful in the execution of the public trust. He lifted all of us to a higher standard and it was his unquestioned integrity that established a `gold standard' in everything we did in service to the people we represented. We are indeed a better country and a better people because of David Nichols and his extraordinary legacy of public service, as well as a life with values. America was blessed to have him as a son and a servant of the people. ____________________