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Rep. Napolitano Attends Army Corps South Pacific Division Change of Command Ceremony, Honors SoCal Native Brig. Gen. Mark Toy

August 18, 2016

(Sausalito, CA) Today, Rep. Grace F. Napolitano (D-El Monte) attended the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers South Pacific Division Change of Command Ceremony at the Bay Model Visitor Center in Sausalito, honoring outgoing Commander and Southern California native, Brigadier General Mark Toy.

“As a proud son of California having grown up in Huntington Beach, General Toy has been an incredible resource to our state and the Western States in his time as South Pacific Division Commander and previously as Los Angeles District Commander,” Napolitano said. “He has clearly understood how the drought has affected our region, and he has made invaluable operational decisions to increase water supply at Army Corps Dams for local water agencies. General Toy has continued to improve flood control prevention and preparedness in our state, while at the same time providing much needed flexibility for water conservation, groundwater recharge, environmental restoration, and recreational opportunities for our residents.”

Napolitano was joined at the Change of Command Ceremony by Brig. Gen. Toy’s family, colleagues, and friends, as well as Lt. Gen. Todd T. Semonite, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Commanding General and Chief of Engineers and incoming South Pacific Division Commander, Col. Peter Helmlinger. Brig. Gen. Toy will transition to a new leadership role within the Army Corps of Engineers in the coming months.

“I am personally grateful for General Toy’s friendship over the past seven years, and his assistance with inspiring the next generation of engineers and military leaders by attending National Guard Youth Challenge Program events, our annual military academy day information sessions, and visiting schools and colleges in our state,” Napolitano added. “It is honorable that General Toy is continuing his service to our nation, and I look forward to working with him in my role as the Ranking Democrat on the Water Resources and Environment Subcommittee which oversees the Army Corps of Engineers.”

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