[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 177 (Wednesday, December 19, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2328]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        TRIBUTE TO JAMES D. RUTH

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. GARY G. MILLER

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, December 18, 2001

  Mr. GARY MILLER of California. Mr. Speaker, it is with great pleasure 
that I rise to honor James D. Ruth who is retiring after 22 years of 
exemplary service to the City of Anaheim and 45 years in public 
service.
  Mr. Ruth's impressive resume includes numerous noteworthy 
accomplishments. Under his tenure as city manager, Anaheim became 
internationally recognized as a hub for entertainment and for its world 
class convention center. His crowning achievement was the role he 
played in negotiations for the construction of the 19,500-seat 
Arrowhead Pond arena, which has affectionately been called ``the house 
that Ruth built,'' and his work with the Walt Disney Company to bring 
the Mighty Ducks of the National Hockey League to the Pond.
  Mr. Ruth was very instrumental in the $118 million renovation of 
Edison Field, and thereby the retention of the Anaheim Angels and Major 
League Baseball in Orange County. He negotiated with the Walt Disney 
Company to develop in Anaheim their new theme park, California 
Adventure, at cost of $1.4 billion. In conjunction with the park 
expansion, the city initiated and began the implementation of a $510 
million improvement program to the Anaheim Resort Area and a $1.9 
billion renovation of the Santa Ana (I-5) Freeway. Revitalization 
projects provided low income housing in the Jeffrey-Lynne neighborhood 
west of Disneyland, a $58.2 million Community Center, and a much needed 
Senior Center.
  Mr. Ruth's vision, outstanding business and governmental acumen, 
strong leadership skills and dedication to public service have earned 
the admiration and respect of those who have had the privilege of 
working with him. I would like to congratulate him on these outstanding 
accomplishments and sincerely thank him for his exemplary record of 
service to the City of Anaheim.

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