[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 138 (Tuesday, October 6, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1919-E1920]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                      TRIBUTE TO DOUGLAS A. KAPLAN

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. VIC FAZIO

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, October 6, 1998

  Mr. FAZIO of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognized and 
commend Douglas A. Kaplan who is retiring after serving sixteen years 
as Public Guardian/Public Administrator for the County of Yolo.
  Since his days as a student, Doug has shown an interest in helping 
those who are less fortunate in our society. At the University of 
California at Davis, from which he graduated in 1978, he helped 
establish the Adopt a Grandparent Program. Doug ran for the office of 
Public Guardian/Public Administrator in

[[Page E1920]]

1982. He defeated the incumbent and took office in January 1983.
  Beginning in 1983, Doug began to modernize and revamp the office of 
Public Guardian/Public Administrator by stressing outreach to some of 
the most impoverished and vulnerable citizens in Yolo County. By 
investigating the need for protective services, conservatorships, and 
other benefits, he extended the social safety network to those in need.
  Once in office, Doug initiated a comprehensive review program of any 
mental health referral in order to protect an individual's rights 
during a conservatorship investigation. He worked with the state 
ombudsman for the care of nursing facility residents who lack the 
capacity to give informed consent for surgical treatment, and he has 
helped to draft laws and regulations to protect elderly Medi-Cal 
recipients from losing their homes. He has also advocated for federal 
legislation resulting in the reinstatement of benefits for incompetent 
veterans.
  During Doug's tenure in office, he served as president of the 
California State Association of Public Guardians/Public Administrators 
and co-founded the National Guardian Association which provides 
education and training on protective services nationwide. From 1994 to 
1995, he also served as president of that association. During his years 
as Yolo County's Public Guardian/Public Administrator, Doug has become 
a nationally recognized expert on aging, conservatorship reform, long 
term care, the disabled, and mental health systems.
  Finally, Mr. Speaker, I wish to thank Doug Kaplan for his years of 
friendship and to wish him the best in his future endeavors. Doug has 
been a real asset to the people of my congressional district. I salute 
him for his efforts and commend him for his service.

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