[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 120 (Friday, September 14, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1663]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




HONORING EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE POST OF OAKLAND, CHARLES W. FOSTER, 
                           ON HIS RETIREMENT

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. BARBARA LEE

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, September 14, 2001

  Ms. LEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a friend and a 
long valued member of the Oakland and Bay Area community, Chuck Foster, 
Executive Director of the Port of Oakland who is retiring from the Port 
after a long and distinguished career.
  Mr. Foster arrived in the Bay Area more than thirty years ago, having 
been stationed there during his service as a Naval aviator. He joined 
the Naval Reserves upon release from active duty and retired 15 years 
later with the rank of Captain.
  Given Mr. Foster's substantial aviation training while in the Navy, 
it is natural that much of his career after leaving the Navy focused on 
transportation matters, especially those in aviation. He served as the 
Assistant Director of Aviation at San Jose International Airport before 
being appointed the Director of Aviation at Oakland International 
Airport. He held that position for five years, until he was promoted to 
Deputy Executive Director of the Port. In 1995, the Board of Port 
Commissioners of the Port of Oakland appointed Mr. Foster Executive 
Director, responsible for the overall management of the Port's 
aviation, maritime and commercial real estate divisions and all aspects 
of Port administration.
  My friend Chuck Foster provided a unique combination of leadership 
and commitment that has nurtured the growth of the Port of Oakland, and 
in turn, the Bay Area region. Under his skillful leadership, the Port 
of Oakland's three divisions experienced extensive growth and the Port 
embarked upon an extensive, unprecedented expansion.
  During Mr. Foster's administration, Oakland International Airport has 
proposed a terminal expansion and reconfiguration project, as well as 
the development of a light-rail rapid transit link between BART and the 
airport. Additionally, the Port's Maritime Division acquired four of 
the world's largest Super Panamex cranes, initiated the deepening of 
Oakland Harbor to 50 feet and converted 530 acres of military land into 
commercial terminal facilities which serves as a model of base-closure 
economic conversion. Presently, the Commercial Real Estate Division has 
begun its project to convert more than 1000 acres of property into a 
thriving waterfront neighborhood.
  Chuck Foster's dedication and service to the Bay Area community does 
not end with his efforts at the Port of Oakland. Throughout his career, 
he has served on various boards and otherwise been active with numerous 
business and charitable community organizations. Whether his talents 
are directed towards his efforts with the Oakland Chamber of Commerce, 
California Council for International Trade, International House at the 
University of California, Berkeley or the Summit/Alta Bates Medical 
Center, he has approached all of these activities with the same 
dedication, vision and passion.
  Over his career, Mr. Foster has traveled extensively throughout the 
world, and his success in his business dealings for the Port is matched 
only by his role as an ambassador for the Bay Area and the Nation. He 
is the best of what America has to offer the world--committed to 
partnership and sound relations with those who are engaged in the 
growing world community.
  I am most appreciative to Chuck for the way he has attempted to 
address the needs and concerns of the residents of Oakland, 
particularly in West Oakland. The presence of residential neighborhoods 
in areas adjacent to industrial activity will always create tension and 
Oakland has been no exception. However, Mr. Foster saw to it that 
community groups had not only a voice, but a role to play in the Port's 
various activities and expansion projects. He has always sought to 
achieve a proper balance between economic growth and community needs. 
He formed community advisory panels for both the airport and seaport 
development planning processes and opened a Port office in the West 
Oakland neighborhood most impacted by the Port's maritime activity to 
ensure appropriate community outreach. These efforts have created an 
atmosphere of more than simply goodwill, but one of cooperation and a 
sense of community.
  Mr. Speaker, as Charles Foster leaves behind a long and rich history 
at the Port of Oakland, I would ask that Congress join me in expressing 
our thanks to him for his 15 years of service there and his earlier 
contributions to the nation in uniformed and civilian life. I am proud 
to recognize Chuck Foster's esteemed accomplishments and to extend my 
best wishes to him in his well-earned retirement.

                          ____________________