[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 17 (Tuesday, February 26, 2002)]
[Senate]
[Page S1201]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          SPEAKER ROBERT HERTZBERG'S DEDICATION TO CALIFORNIA

 Mrs. BOXER. Mr. President, I am pleased to rise to reflect on 
the work of California Speaker Robert M. Hertzberg, who has left the 
post of Speaker after presiding over the Assembly for 2 extraordinary 
years.
  Most of all, Bob Hertzberg will be remembered as a leader at a time 
of crisis, first with the State's energy crisis, and then the aftermath 
of the September 11 attacks.
  When California came face-to-face with its energy crisis, Bob worked 
to identify the problems and craft legislation to solve them. Bob's 
leader ship and unwavering commitment helped California to avoid 
blackouts and control utility costs.
  On September 11, we experienced events that changed our Nation 
forever. Bob Hertzberg swiftly established a State Task Force on the 
Impact of Terrorism on California to assess what California needed to 
do to protect itself from future terrorist attacks. The task force 
heard testimony from law enforcement officials, business leaders, 
economists and health officials, and drafted thorough reports for the 
State Legislature.
  Bob Hertzberg is a leader to create a better future for our children. 
In 1998, he helped pass, with the help of former Speaker Antonio 
Villaraigosa, what was the largest school construction bond in 
America's history. The $9.2 billion bond included record funding for 
schools, colleges and universities. This funding helped construct more 
than 500 schools and modernize more than 2,000 existing schools 
throughout the State. On December 14, 2000, Bob introduced the 
Kindergarten, University, Public Education Facilities Bond Act of 2002, 
an even larger bond that would allocate $12 billion for the 
construction and modernization of elementary schools, colleges and 
universities. Similar to the previous measure, it would help schools 
meet the needs of a rapidly growing student population.
  Bob Hertzberg is a great representative of the San Fernando Valley 
and a leader for all of California. He has been a strong leader when we 
needed it the most. I thank Bob for his great contributions to our 
State over the years, and wish him well in the future.

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