[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 12 (Tuesday, February 4, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E150-E151]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 EZUNIAL ``EZE'' BURTS--A DISTINGUISHED RECORD OF SERVICE TO THE PORT 
                       AND PEOPLE OF LOS ANGELES

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JANE HARMAN

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, February 4, 1997

  Ms. HARMAN. Mr. Speaker, my colleague, Representative Millender-
McDonald and I are proud to join in congratulating and thanking Ezunial 
Burts for a distinguished 12 year record of service to the port of Los 
Angeles and to the citizens of Los Angeles County.
  As he departs from his position as executive director at the port to 
take the reins as president of the Los Angeles Area Chamber of 
Commerce, Eze can look around to see the remarkable achievements of his 
tenure. Whether measured by soaring increases in cargo tonnage and 
container volume or by its tremendous impact on the economy of southern 
California, Eze led the port to unprecedented growth. Major capital 
improvements completed in the last 12 years include the intermodal 
container transfer facility, new container terminals for Trans Pacific 
Container Service [TraPac] and Nippon Yusen Kaisha [NYK], and the new 
World Cruise Center, currently the busiest west coast passenger 
facility.
  And the future is equally promising. The ongoing construction of new, 
state-of-the-art facilities, including the $2 billion Alameda corridor 
and $600 million pier 300/400 projects, will help ensure that the port 
is prepared for trade in the 21st century. As a testament to the port's 
financial strength, all three major bond rating agencies gave the port 
AA ratings, the highest of any U.S. port without taxing authority.
  Eze has demonstrated many strengths that will suit him well in his 
new career. He has been tremendously skillful working with diverse 
groups of maritime partners and the international trade community and 
his genuine warmth and concern for port employees have won him the 
friendship, admiration, and respect of the 670-member port management 
team and staff. He has served on many advisory committees and boards 
affiliated with port authorities and trade policy, including the 
Intergovernmental Policy Committee of the Office of the U.S. Trade 
Representative under the Clinton administration. Eze also has a 
laudable record of service to the community at large, serving on the 
board of directors of

[[Page E151]]

such organizations as the National Forum for Black Public 
Administrators, the Metropolitan YMCA, Hancock Savings and Loan and the 
California Chamber of Commerce.
  Eze will be sorely missed, but his legacy remains. We join the port 
community and our constituents in extending to him sincere appreciation 
and wishing him and his family every success as he assumes the critical 
job of president of the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce.

                          ____________________