[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 48 (Wednesday, April 4, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E539]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     IN TRIBUTE TO SHEILA GONZALEZ

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. ELTON GALLEGLY

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, April 4, 2001

  Mr. GALLEGLY. Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to Sheila Gonzalez, 
who is leaving her post this month as executive officer, clerk and jury 
commissioner for the courts of Ventura County, California, after 14 
years of dedicated service.
  Fortunately for my constituents in Ventura County and Santa Barbara 
County's Carpinteria, she won't be going far. Sheila has accepted a 
position as the first-ever regional administrative director of Southern 
California for California's Administrative Office of the Courts. As 
liaison between the state and trial courts on technology, finance, 
human resources and other issues, Sheila will serve 10 counties, 
including those in my district.
  Southern California is fortunate to have a dedicated, hardworking and 
intelligent professional working for them.
  Sheila began her career in 1968 as a deputy clerk at the Glendale 
Municipal Court. She rose to court administrator before leaving in 1986 
for her position as executive officer and clerk of the Ventura County 
Municipal Court. In 1989, the administrations and staffs of Ventura 
County's Municipal and Superior Courts combined, and the county's 
judges selected Sheila to oversee the new arrangement.
  At Ventura County, Sheila earned a statewide reputation as a tireless 
administrator and innovator, which is why California recruited her for 
this new position. Among her innovations is the Taking the Courthouse 
to the Schoolroom program, which aims to educate students and teachers 
about the court system. She also chairs the Community Outreach Team.
  Because of her dedication and innovative spirit, Sheila has received 
several prestigious awards. She received the 1993 Warren E. Burger 
Award for outstanding court achievement in court administration and the 
1995 Judicial Council Distinguished Service Award for contributions to, 
and leadership in, the profession of judicial administration.
  In addition, Sheila received the 1997 National Association for Court 
Management's Award of Merit for demonstrated leadership and excellence 
in administration and application of modern management and 
technological methods. In 1999, she received the Ernest C. Friesen 
Award of Excellence from the Justice Management Institute for vision, 
leadership and sustained commitment to the achievement of excellence in 
the administration of Justice.
  She serves on numerous national, state and local associations, and 
has shared her expertise in numerous workshops and as a faculty member 
of the National Judicial College in Reno, Nevada.
  Mr. Speaker, I know my colleagues will join me in wishing Sheila our 
best as she moves into the next phase of her career, and in thanking 
her for making our courts accessible and efficient for all.

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