[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 34 (Thursday, March 4, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E338]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                    A SPECIAL THANKS TO RAY BELGARD

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. SAM FARR

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 4, 1999

  Mr. FARR of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise to convey the 
appreciation of Santa Cruz County, CA, for the 46 years of public 
service contributed by Ray Belgard, who retired from the county board 
of supervisors at the end of 1998.
  Ray began his career with the Salinas Police Department where he 
began to acquire both his investigative skills and his abilities as a 
staff supervisor. In 1964, Ray was recruited by the Monterey County 
Office of the District Attorney where he worked with Peter Chang. In 
1966, when Peter Chang was elected to the office of District Attorney 
of Santa Cruz County he persuaded Ray to join him as the county's chief 
inspector. In their joint effort to scrutinize the budget, Peter and 
Ray deleted an obscure item that appeared to be continued from the 
previous administration. The budget subsequently passed without a line 
for Peter's salary.
  In 1982, in response to pleadings for his leadership in the Police 
Department from his home town Watsonville, Ray took control of the 
department and brought it to its current status as one of the most 
efficient and best-run police departments in the county.
  In 1989, Ray retired from public life, or so he thought. After a 
year, Ray successfully ran for county supervisor for the 4th District, 
the area which included Watsonville. As became well-known to the public 
works director for the county, Ray was especially sensitive to the need 
for road repairs, an issue important in his rural district. Ray could 
also be relied upon to champion the causes of public employees, law 
enforcement, seniors, children and agriculture.
  Ray Belgard's name will always evoke the image of a plain-spoken and 
direct man, concerned with the efficient delivery of public services. 
The tributes paid to him by his colleagues and constituents upon his 
retirement testify to the atmosphere of good feelings that surrounded 
Ray throughout his long and distinguished carrer.

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