[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 115 (Tuesday, August 16, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: August 16, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                        HONORING GARY E. STRONG

                                 ______


                            HON. BILL BAKER

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, August 16, 1994

  Mr. BAKER of California. Mr. Speaker, public service is a unique 
calling, one deserving of the highest standards of professional 
competence and dedication. These attributes are found to an unusual 
degree in California's State Librarian, Gary E. Strong.
  Gary Strong has served the people of my home State since 1980 as 
State Librarian. As he moves on to serve the people of New York as 
director of the Queens Borough Public Library, his remarkable career in 
the Golden State has included many highlights that merit 
acknowledgement. A few of these achievements include:
  Initiation of the California State literacy campaign, now functioning 
in 84 libraries statewide;
  Passage of the Library Construction and Renovation Bond Act and the 
California Library Services Act;
  Creation of the California Research Bureau;
  Establishment of 81 California Library Campaign programs;
  Service as a consultant to the Library of Congress.
  He has been committed to innovative, long-range programs designed to 
make libraries more user-friendly for all of California's citizens. 
First appointed by Governor Jerry Brown and reappointed by Governor 
Pete Wilson, his service has transcended partisan allegiance and has 
been devoted to helping ordinary Americans discover the life of the 
mind and the renewal of the spirit in the printed word.
  Recognized by his peers for his stellar accomplishments, he is a 
distinguished alumnus of the University of Michigan School of Library 
Science and has been a leader in the American Library Association for 
years.
  Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the people of California, it is my great 
pleasure and privilege to recognize Gary Strong in the Congressional 
Record. A public servant of the first order, his service will be as 
missed in California as it will be valued in New York.

                          ____________________