[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 93 (Friday, June 29, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1255]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    TRIBUTE TO THE LATE JOHN FERRARO

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. HENRY A. WAXMAN

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 28, 2001

  Mr. WAXMAN. Mr. Speaker, today the Los Angeles City Council Chamber 
will be dedicated in the name of John Ferraro, a highly respected and 
beloved City Council member who died on April 17, 2001.
  John made a name for himself long before he joined the City Council 
in 1966. The youngest of eight children, he won an athletic scholarship 
to the University of Southern California where he played football for 
the USC Trojans. He was an all-American tackle and played in Rose Bowl 
games in 1944, 1945, and 1947. He was named to the National Football 
Foundation Hall of Fame in 1974, the USC Hall of Fame in 1995, and the 
Rose Bowl Hall of Fame in 1996. More recently, he was named to the Best 
College Football Team of the Century by the Los Angeles Times.
  After earning a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business 
Administration, John established a successful insurance brokerage firm 
in Los Angeles and became active in Democratic politics. In 1966 he was 
appointed to serve on the Los Angeles City Council after Council member 
Harold Henry died. He subsequently won nine elections and was serving 
his thirty-fifth year when he passed away. He served as City Council 
President longer than anyone in Los Angeles history.
  John's political skills were sharply honed and he made important 
contributions to the City of Los Angeles, including his crucial role in 
bringing improvements of the Los Angeles Zoo and drawing the 1984 
Olympics and the Democratic National Convention 2000 to Los Angeles.
  In addition to serving on the City Council, John served as President 
of the League of California Cities and Independent Cities Association, 
and he served on the boards of the National League of Cities, the 
Museum of Contemporary Art, the Autry Museum of Western Heritage and 
the Hollywood-Wilshire YMCA.
  John's dedication to public service brought him numerous awards, 
including the Central City Association's 2000 Heart of the City Award, 
the L.A. Headquarters Association 2000 Enduring Spirit of Los Angeles 
Award, the USC General Alumni Association's Asa V. Call Achievement 
Award, the Los Angeles Marathon's 1996 Citizen of the Year Award, the 
All City Employees Benefits Service Association 1995 Employee of the 
Year, and the GTE State Forum Award for Community Service.
  John's loss has been felt deeply by the residents of Los Angeles and 
the Council members who were fortunate to serve with him. He never 
grandstanded. He didn't expect credit for his accomplishments. He 
worked quietly and effectively to achieve his goals. He was very simply 
a decent man and skilled advocate for the people of Los Angeles. The 
Dedication of the Council Chamber will help keep his memory and the 
generous contributions he made alive as a model for the future.

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