January 11, 2019 - Issue: Vol. 165, No. 6 — Daily Edition116th Congress (2019 - 2020) - 1st Session

[Page H468]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     HONORING ROBERT ``BOB'' MELSH

  (Mr. TAKANO asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. TAKANO. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of one of 
Riverside's finest citizens, Robert ``Bob'' Melsh.
  Bob dedicated his life to community, to activism, and to making our 
society more just and equal for everyone. His commitment to the 
political process and to our democracy has been integral to the growth 
and political involvement in Riverside.
  Through his work, he found a way to get everyone engaged and make 
everybody know their value in our democracy. He encouraged people to 
raise their voices and make sure elected officials listened.
  Bob was an organizer. He knew what our community cared about; he 
fought for what we needed; and he was a force to be reckoned with. For 
Bob, social progress was inevitable but not without effort.
  I had the honor to know Bob beyond the world of politics, and I will 
always remember him recounting his story of organizing a concert for 
the iconic Louis Armstrong, otherwise known as Satchmo, in Riverside.
  Bob, I am going to really miss you. Riverside is going to miss you.

                          ____________________