[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 7 (Tuesday, February 5, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E79]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     A TRIBUTE TO ROBERT HERTZBERG

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. SAM FARR

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, February 5, 2002

  Mr. FARR of California. Mr. Speaker, today California says goodbye to 
Assembly Speaker Robert Hertzberg and says hello to incoming Speaker 
Herb Wesson. Speaker Hertzberg served in this position with abundant 
personal energy and unbridled enthusiasm. He clearly loved this job and 
worked hard for the people of California.
  Hertzberg is affectionately known as ``Speaker Hugsberg'' for his 
propensity to enthusiastically embrace friends, foes, and strangers. 
Indeed these famous hugs have spread beyond California to many of us on 
Capitol Hill and most recently to members of the Hazardous Materials 
team charged with decontaminating the Hart Senate Office building.
  These hugs will never end, but Hertzberg's term-limited position as 
Speaker ends today. Speaker Hertzberg will also leave the Assembly seat 
he has represented in the Legislature since 1996 at the end of the 
year. Speaker Hertzberg's presence in the institution will far outlast 
his two years as Speaker and he leaves a permanent mark on the State 
Capitol.
  Hertzberg instituted some groundbreaking changes during his brief 
tenure. He opened an on-site childcare center and upgraded technology 
throughout the Assembly. He founded the Capitol Institute, which now 
bears his name, to establish innovative training courses for freshman 
Members and legislative staff. California is the world's fifth largest 
economy and Speaker Hertzberg opened the Speaker's Office of 
International Relations. He injected a humorous touch of his heritage 
into the Capitol's culture by publishing a guide on Yiddish, so 
everyone in the Legislature and Capitol Press Corps could translate the 
colorful phrases he so frequently uttered during floor sessions.
  Hertzberg understood working together means just that and maintained 
a continuous presence in Washington, D.C. through an Office of Federal 
Relations. He was quick to point out that what happens in Washington, 
D.C. matters in California. He frequently led delegations of 
legislators to D.C. to discuss state issues with federal officials. 
Hertzberg was determined to work with all of us in Washington, D.C. to 
maximize California's share of federal dollars.
  Hertzberg is a gifted and tireless legislator, who worked to enact 
long-needed reforms of California's foster care system, significantly 
expand access to low-cost health insurance for working families, and 
help pass the two largest park bonds in state history. He was also the 
lead negotiator during extended discussions that led to the passage of 
the largest school construction bond in state history.
  After September 11, he moved quickly to establish a statewide task 
force to assess the impact of terrorism on California's economy and to 
recommend steps to improve public safety and restore public confidence. 
He visited Washington to meet with federal officials and coordinate 
terrorism preparedness and response activities. In December, he led a 
delegation to Taiwan and Japan, to address post-September 11 tourism 
and to promote trade with California.
  As we celebrate Speaker Hertzberg's achievements, I wish him all the 
best in his next endeavor. I know he will be extremely successful. All 
the best for the bright future to Speaker Robert Hertzberg, his wife 
Dr. Cynthia Telles-Hertzberg, and sons Daniel, David, and Raymond.

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