[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 96 (Friday, July 21, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1290]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         TRIBUTE TO GUS VELASCO

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. GRACE F. NAPOLITANO

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 20, 2000

  Mrs. NAPOLITANO. Mr. Speaker, today I praise Mr. Gustavo ``Gus'' 
Velasco, a distinguished public servant in my 34th Congressional 
District in California. He is retiring as Assistant City Manager for 
Community Services of Santa Fe Springs, California after an illustrious 
career of 39 years of service.
  Gus Velasco's steadfast commitment to public service has made him a 
recognized leader and admirable member of the community. He is the 
recipient of numerous awards and commendations including the Whittier 
Area Schools Administrators Association Award.
  Since receiving a degree from the California State University of Los 
Angeles, Gus Velasco has served and supported the community of Santa Fe 
Springs in many different capacities, including teaching at area 
schools, serving as President of the Santa Fe Springs Lions Club, and 
holding memberships on both the Salvation Army Transitional Living 
Center Advisory Council and the Santa Fe High School Educational 
Foundation. Also, Gus has been Director of Social Services at the Santa 
Fe Neighborhood Center where he worked for eleven years.
  Gus Velasco's career with the City of Santa Fe Springs began in 1961 
as the Director of Recreation. His outstanding service was recognized 
as he rose through the administrative ranks to take the helm as 
Assistant City Manager in which he has excelled for the past ten years. 
Gus' vision, tenacity, skill, and managerial excellence has fostered 
pride in the rich history and cultural heritage of the Santa Fe Springs 
community.
  I have known Gus Velasco many years, since my own service as a City 
Council member and Mayor of the neighboring city of Norwalk, California 
which borders Santa Fe Springs to the south. I have greatly admired Gus 
Velasco's professionalism and unsurpassed level of personal commitment 
to the City of Santa Fe Springs, neighboring cities in the Los Angeles 
County, the State of California, and to the profession of public 
service. Through selfless commitment and a relentless pursuit toward 
the betterment of his community, Gus has nurtured a strong sense of 
civic pride among the residents of Santa Fe Springs.
  The citizens of Santa Fe Springs have greatly benefited from the 
outstanding work of Assistant City Manager Gus Velasco, and will 
undoubtedly benefit from his future endeavors on their behalf. To Gus, 
his wife of 40 years, Annie, his daughter, Renee, his three sons, Paul, 
Gus, and Jaime, and to his eight grandchildren, I extend our heartfelt 
thanks and appreciation for his exemplary service, and further extend 
best wishes 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, Gus Velasco, on the floor of 
the House of Representatives in Washington. Thanks for everything, Gus.

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