[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 38 (Friday, March 21, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E561]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        TRIBUTE TO RICHARD KATZ

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. BRAD SHERMAN

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 20, 1997

  Mr. SHERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Richard Katz 
for his years of service to the people of California, especially to the 
residents of the San Fernando Valley. This week Mr. Katz is being 
recognized by the San Fernando Valley Interfaith Council with the 
``Spirit of the Valley'' award which is the highest honor the Council 
bestows on former public officials, recognizing Mr. Katz's enormous 
contributions to our area and our State.
  During his 16 years in the State government he served as chairman of 
the Transportation Committee and later as the Democratic Leader of the 
Assembly. His career is a record of distinguished service, as Mr. Katz 
was on the forefront of a number of issues important to Californians. 
The impact of his work varied widely from supporting the Mountain Lion 
Protection Act which banned the sport hunting of mountain lions and 
restored lost habitat, to aiding the victims of the Northridge 
Earthquake in the form of immediate tax relief.
  Transportation improvements is the area in which Richard perhaps left 
his most enduring legacy. He authored Proposition 111, which raised 
more money for mass transit and highways than any effort in the history 
of California and created the Congestion Management Program which 
required cities to measure the impact of land use decisions on their 
roadways. He helped initiate California's Smog Check Program, which is 
still the strongest anti-smog program in the Nation. Finally, he worked 
to retire unsafe school buses with newer fuel efficient replacements, 
which benefits both the kids that depend upon them and the local 
environment.
  It has been said that, the politician thinks of the next election, 
the statesman thinks of the next generation. Richard Katz's work in 
helping the children of California certainly classifies him as a 
statesman. He played a leading role in the Gang Risk Intervention 
Program which targets at-risk youth before they get involved with 
gangs. He recognized early on the importance of educating our children 
on computer use, as he developed and galvanized support for computer 
education programs in our public schools.
  During his 16 years in the California legislature, Mr. Katz was known 
as a hard working and effective legislator. The effects of his 
leadership will be felt in areas ranging from crime prevention, 
environmental and consumer protection, transportation improvements and 
family issues. Throughout his career he maintained a relaxed and 
informal demeanor making him very approachable to Valley residents. 
Indeed the people of the San Fernando Valley are fortunate to have had 
Richard Katz as their representative. The area will reap the benefits 
of his work for generations to come.

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