[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 2 (Thursday, January 7, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E24]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


            TRIBUTE TO SACRAMENTO COUNTY ASSESSOR ROGER FONG

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. ROBERT T. MATSUI

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, January 6, 1999

  Mr. MATSUI. Mr. Speaker, I am honored to rise today in tribute to one 
of Sacramento County's most outstanding public servants, County 
Assessor Roger Fong. Today, as Mr. Fong celebrates his retirement, I 
ask all of my colleagues to join with me in saluting a great citizen, 
husband, and father.
  As a native of Sacramento, Roger attended public schools in the area. 
After his exemplary service in the United States Navy, he graduated 
from California State University, Sacramento in 1956 with a degree in 
Business Administration.
  Roger began his career in the Assessor's office in 1960. For the next 
26 years, he held nearly every promotional position in that office. 
Then, in 1986 he was elected Assessor, a position to which he was 
returned in 1990 and 1994 by sizeable margins.
  During Roger's tenure as Assessor, he has focussed on bringing 
technological advancements to his office of 156 employees and a budget 
of over $12 million annually. He and his staff have maintained current 
ownership data and property value on more than 380,000 parcels in 
Sacramento County with a combined value in excess of $53 billion.
  Roger's leadership in the Assessor's office has earned him statewide 
recognition. In just the past 12 years, his professional tasks have 
grown immensely as our county's assessment roll has nearly doubled, as 
has the staff workload.
  The professional distinctions which Roger has earned are too numerous 
to list in their entirety. But they include recognition as the 
Sacramento County Taxpayer League's ``Tax Advocate of the Year''; 
California State University, Sacramento, ``Alumni Distinguished Service 
Award'' recipient; and the Sacramento Chinese Community Service 
Center's ``August Moon'' honoree.
  Although his professional pursuits have occupied much of his time, 
Roger has managed to make great contributions locally with his tireless 
community service endeavors. He has been an active member in the United 
Way, on the Sacramento Symphony Board, St. Hope Academy Advisory Board, 
and the Chinese American Council of Sacramento, among other groups.
  Roger has also maintained professional relationships with a variety 
of assessors' organizations. Among these are the Bay Area Assessor's 
Association, of which he was president in 1994. These memberships 
reflect Roger's qualities as an incredibly dedicated and hardworking 
individual who has always put the needs of his constituency above all 
other considerations.
  Mr. Speaker, the people of Sacramento have been the fortunate 
beneficiaries of Roger Fong's great professionalism over the past 38 
years. I ask all of my colleagues to join with me in wishing Roger and 
his wife Florence every future success in their retirement endeavors.

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