[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 20 (Tuesday, February 13, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E165-E166]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                          HONORING JOHN BURNS

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. ZOE LOFGREN

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, February 13, 2001

  Ms. LOFGREN. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the achievements of 
John Burns, the Executive Director of the Housing Authority of Santa 
Clara County. I would like to recognize Mr. Burns' extraordinary and 
tireless service to the people of Santa Clara County and thank him for 
his 32 years as the Housing Authority's Executive Director.
  John Burns started as the Santa Clara County Housing Authority's 
first employee in 1968; the Agency now employs a staff of 275. The 
Housing Authority currently assists over 13,000 families, seniors and 
disabled in the Section 8 Program and over 2,000 seniors and disabled 
in the Property Management Program. In addition, the Agency manages 50 
duplexes at the Arturo Ochoa Migrant Housing Center in Gilroy, 
California, which houses 100 families during the harvest season. In the 
winter months, the center is used for housing homeless families.
  Under John Burns' dedicated leadership, the Housing Authority 
diversified its many services to the community to include leasing of 
housing on the open market, new housing construction, and the 
management of housing for low income families, disabled and the 
elderly. The Housing Authority also ensures, through sales of bonds, 
that new construction in the area includes affordable rental units. The 
successful effort to pass Measure A in the November 1999 election 
allowed the Housing Authority greater opportunities to provide 
affordable housing in areas where it is needed and where the agency had 
previously not been able to build.
  Among Housing Authorities, the Santa Clara County Housing Authority 
has one of the highest profiles in the country and is considered a 
leader when it comes to creating innovative, affordable housing.
  A leader in the field as well as in the community, Mr. Burns has 
served on the Board of Directors for the National Leased Housing 
Association as well as the Affordable Housing Tax Credit Coalition. He 
is a member and former President of the Northern California Chapter of 
the National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Agencies, and a 
member and former President of the Executive Directors Association of 
Northern California and Nevada.
  John Burns was once quoted in a news article that ``I would rather 
achieve public visibility through results of our programs . . . not 
public relations.'' This ``low profile leader'' is one of the most 
respected Housing Authority Directors in the County, a visionary public 
servant, and a valued friend.

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