[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 94 (Tuesday, June 29, 1999)]
[House]
[Page H5089]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      TRIBUTE TO DONALD R. POWELL

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentlewoman from California (Mrs. Napolitano) is recognized for 5 
minutes.
  Mrs. NAPOLITANO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in praise of Mr. Donald R. 
Powell, a distinguished public servant in my 34th Congressional 
District in California, who is retiring as City Manager of Santa Fe 
Springs, California after an illustrious career spanning 33 years of 
service.

  Don Powell's stellar performance in local government has made him a 
recognized leader in the field of public administration. He is the 
recipient of numerous awards and commendations including the 
prestigious Mark E. Keane Award for Managerial Excellence, which was 
presented to him last year by the International City/County Management 
Association.
  Don Powell also served our nation as a Captain in the United States 
Air Force, during which time he received a commendation for operational 
improvements to the Bangkok Aerial Mail Terminal. Don is graduate of 
Whittier College and holds a masters degree in International Public 
Administration from the University of Southern California.
  Don Powell's career with the City of Santa Fe Springs began in 1966 
as an Administrative Intern. His outstanding service was recognized as 
he rose through the administrative ranks to take the helm as City 
Manager in which he has excelled for the past nineteen years. Don's 
vision, tenacity, skill and managerial excellence helped transform a 
small town dominated by oil fields and smoke stack industries into one 
of the most vibrant and prosperous contemporary business communities in 
Southern California. He was able to achieve this tremendous example of 
suburban renewal while carefully balancing fiscal responsibility with a 
deeply abiding respect for the rich historical and cultural heritage of 
the city.
  I have known Don Powell for over thirteen years, since my own service 
as a City Councilmember and Mayor of the neighboring city of Norwalk, 
California which borders Santa Fe Springs to the south. I have greatly 
admired Don Powell's professionalism and unsurpassed level of personal 
commitment to the City of Santa Fe Springs, neighboring cities in Los 
Angeles County, the State of California and to the profession of public 
service.
  Don Powell leaves a legacy rich in the beautification and prosperity 
he so skillfully guided on behalf of a grateful and well-served 
community. His immense contributions to the transformation and maturing 
of Santa Fe Springs, an All American City, has nurtured a strong sense 
of civic pride among its residents.
  The City of Santa Fe Springs will surely miss the outstanding work of 
City Manager Donald R. Powell. On behalf of the many business and 
residential citizens, Mayor Albert L. Sharp, Mayor Pro-Tempore George 
S. Minnehan, Jr., Councilman Louis Gonzalez, Councilman Ronald S. 
Kernes, Councilwoman Betty Putnam, Councilwoman-Emeritus Betty Wilson, 
and the entire City staff, I extend heartfelt thanks and appreciation 
to Don Powell for his exemplary service, and further extend best wishes 
to Don and his wonderful wife Jackie Powell for every continued 
happiness, great health and success in the years ahead. It gives me 
great pleasure to pay tribute to a superb public servant and fine 
American citizen Don Powell on the floor of the House of 
Representatives in Washington. Thanks for everything Don.

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