[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 116 (Thursday, September 9, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1836]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   IN TRIBUTE TO M.L. ``LIN'' KOESTER

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. ELTON GALLEGLY

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 9, 1999

  Mr. GALLEGLY. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor my good friend M.L. 
``Lin'' Koester, who will retire tomorrow as the Chief Administrative 
Officer for the County of Ventura, California.
  Lin is one of those exceptional administrators whose special talent 
is recognizing, and motivating, talent in others. Many of those who 
worked for him during his 16-year tenure as City Manager of the City of 
Simi Valley, California, are now city managers in cities across 
California and the West. It would not be an exaggeration to say he has 
had a positive influence on elected officials as well. I had the 
pleasure of serving with him during my entire time on the Simi Valley 
City Council, including two terms as the city's first elected mayor.
  I moved on, as did many others who worked with Lin. Others who served 
on the Simi Valley City Council during Lin's tenure have gone on to the 
Ventura County Board of Supervisors, the California Assembly and the 
California Senate.
  Lin is a quiet administrator who would be the last to tout his own 
accomplishments. His accomplishments are many.
  In Simi Valley, Lin earned a reputation as a fiscally responsible 
manager who kept the city in the black during economically trying times 
while still providing essential services to residents. With an 
engineer's eye for details and a discipline born from a stint as a U.S. 
Navy submarine officer, Lin steered the council through the financing 
of a new City Hall, the Senior Center, a DMV office and a Cultural Arts 
Center. Lin was also among those instrumental in the decision to build 
the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley.
  The Ventura County Board of Supervisors was wise to hire Lin as their 
CAO in 1995. During his tenure, he eliminated a projected General Fund 
imbalance, consolidated the Human Resources Department and Chief 
Administrative Office, and revamped the annual budget process. In 
addition, he initiated a county-wide technology upgrade and policy 
guidelines.
  Lin is a modest man and an effective and efficient administrator. 
But, above all, it is his loyalty as a friend that I treasure most.
  Mr. Speaker, I know my colleagues will join me in recognizing M.L. 
``Lin'' Koester for his decades of dedicated service and in wishing him 
and his family Godspeed in his retirement.

                          ____________________