[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 37 (Tuesday, March 20, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E404]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




TRIBUTE TO ALEX BRISENO FOR THIRTY-FOUR YEARS OF SERVICE TO THE CITY OF 
                              SAN ANTONIO

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                         HON. CIRO D. RODRIGUEZ

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, March 20, 2001

  Mr. RODRIGUEZ. Mr. Speaker, today it is my privilege to recognize 
Alex Briseno for his 34 years of service to the City of San Antonio. As 
Mr. Briseno retires from his current position as the City Manager to 
one of the largest cities in Texas we know that his hard work and 
dedication will be greatly missed by the people of our community.
  Nobody understands San Antonio's government better than Alex Briseno. 
He began his career with the City of San Antonio in 1977 as assistant 
to the city manager. Within three years he advanced to become an 
assistant city manager. During his next ten years of service he learned 
the intricacies of different departments within the city, knowledge 
that would empower him to manage the city staff with the wise hand of 
experience. He supervised numerous different departments ranging from 
the Budget Department to the Information Services and Health 
Department. He was well prepared for the challenges he would face as 
city manager, the city's top non-elected executive position.
  In 1990, Mr. Briseno became city manager for a city that currently 
has more than 1. 1 million people and covers an area of 417 square 
miles. He oversaw a budget of more than $1 billion and managed 11,000 
employees. Through his leadership in the past ten years San Antonio has 
continued to grow and develop.
  Mr. Briseno not only shared his leadership skills with the city while 
acting as city manager; he also served the community through his 
service in various organizations. He has been on the board of directors 
of the Boy Scouts of America, helping to develop the youth of our 
nation. He has served on the United Way of San Antonio and Bexar County 
Board of Trustees to better the lives of those in need, served on the 
board of directors of his alma mater, Trinity University, to improve 
education in the city, and worked with the Alamo Area Council and Free 
Trade Alliance San Antonio to create new opportunities for growth and 
advancement.
  One aspect of this Mr. Briseno's life that helped to prepare him for 
leadership in the city of San Antonio was his education. At Trinity 
University he earned his undergraduate degree in economics where he 
graduated magna cum laude. He then continued his education to earn his 
Master's in Urban Studies. His service as a captain in the United 
States Army was another invaluable source of education that prepared 
him for his future years in city government.
  We should all commend the dedication of this man to hlsj'ob and his 
community. He was born and raised in San Antonio, received his 
education in life there, and stayed to help build its future. San 
Antonio is a better place because of Mr. Briseno's service. We wish him 
well in all future endeavors.

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