To: Board of Supervisors
From: John Gioia, District I Supervisor
Report Title: Proclamation Honoring Don Lau for Service to Contra Costa County Communities
☒Recommendation of the County Administrator ☐ Recommendation of Board Committee
RECOMMENDATIONS:
ADOPT Resolution honoring Don Lau for service to Contra Costa County Communities.
FISCAL IMPACT:
N/A
BACKGROUND:
Don Lau has been a leader in West Contra Costa County for decades.
CONSEQUENCE OF NEGATIVE ACTION:
N/A
The Board of Supervisors of Contra Costa County, California
body
IN THE MATTER OF Honoring Don Lau for his decades of service in Contra Costa County
WHEREAS, Don Lau was born and raised in Honolulu, Hawaii, and has dedicated his life to serving others, achieving academic excellence with a Bachelor of Arts from Valparaiso University and a Master of Social Work from the University of Michigan; and
WHEREAS, Don Lau began his impactful work in Contra Costa County in 1976 when he was hired as the West Area Organizer for the Contra Costa Children’s Council, which served as the fiscal agent for the Therapeutic Nursery School/Early Childhood Mental Health Program (TNS/ECMHP); and
WHEREAS, Don Lau has served on the Advisory Committee, Board of Directors, and Emeritus Board for ECMHP, dedicating countless hours to the mental health and well-being of children in our community; and
WHEREAS, Don Lau’s commitment to education was demonstrated through his election to the Richmond (West Contra Costa) Unified School District Board of Trustees in 1981, and his subsequent re-elections in 1985 and 1989, where he worked tirelessly to improve educational opportunities for all students; and
WHEREAS, Don Lau joined the West Contra Costa YMCA in 1983, playing a pivotal role in the merger that created the YMCA of the East Bay and growing the branch’s budget to $15 million, significantly expanding services in early childhood education, afterschool enrichment, health and wellness, mental health, teen leadership, and family programs; and
WHEREAS, Don Lau retired in 2017 as the President and CEO of the YMCA of the East Bay, leaving behind a legacy of community service, leadership, and positive impact on thousands of lives; and
WHEREAS, Don Lau has been a dedicated member of the Richmond Rotary Club since 1984, serving as a past president and currently as Chair of Community Services, where he continues to give back to his community; and
WHEREAS, Don Lau has generously contributed his time and expertise to numerous nonprofit boards and public commissions, further demonstrating his unwavering commitment to the well-being of his community; and
WHEREAS, Don Lau is a loving father to three adult children and a proud grandfather of five grandchildren, passing on his values of service, leadership, and community spirit to future generations;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED: Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors honors and commends Don Lau for his outstanding contributions to the children, families, and communities of Contra Costa County, recognizing his lifelong commitment to public service and leadership.
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