[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 142 (Saturday, October 10, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E2039-E2040]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      TRIBUTE TO ROBERT P. GAJDYS

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. BENJAMIN L. CARDIN

                              of maryland

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, October 9, 1998

  Mr. CARDIN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Robert P. Gajdys, who 
is retiring after 8 years as executive director of the Community 
Assistance Network, Inc., Baltimore County's non-profit community 
action agency. The Community Assistance Network (CAN) operates over 
three dozen programs that serve the diversified needs of more than 
50,000 low-income families.
  An outspoken advocate for the poor and disadvantaged, Bob Gajdys 
turned CAN from an agency with a $100,000 deficit to one with $250,000 
surplus. Because of his leadership and exceptional abilities, CAN has 
built and strengthened regional partnerships, worked to develop 
statewide anti-poverty strategies, and received national recognition 
for program excellence.
  Before his tenure at CAN, Bob spent 32 years working for the Federal 
Government. He has served as Director of Personnel at NOAA,

[[Page E2040]]

Director of Administration at the Federal Mediation and Conciliation 
Service, and Deputy Director of the Office of Program Development and 
Accountability at the Department of Labor.
  A Native American of the Mohawk tribe, Bob also served as Deputy 
Director of Indian and Territorial Affairs at the Department of the 
Interior. He was designated by President Jimmy Carter in July, 1979 as 
a charter member of the Senior Executive Service.
  I invite my colleagues to join me in honoring Robert P. Gajdys for 
his dedication and commitment to the poor and disadvantaged. Although 
he is retiring as Executive Director of CAN, we know that he will 
continue to be a voice for those who cannot speak out for themselves.

                          ____________________