[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 96 (Tuesday, July 16, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1267]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        HONORING JAMES E. BURTON

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. ROBERT T. MATSUI

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 16, 2002

  Mr. MATSUI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Mr. James Burton as he 
ends his tenure as the Chief Executive Officer of the California Public 
Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS). As his friends, family and 
colleagues all gather to celebrate his departure from over 25 years of 
public service, I ask all my colleagues to join me in honoring the 
dedicated service of this truly distinguished citizen of Sacramento.
  Jim Burton came to the California Public Employees' Retirement System 
in 1992 and was appointed CEO in 1994. During his eight years of 
guiding the fund, total assets increased 30 percent and now total over 
$150 billion. His leadership has provided the 1.3 million California 
public employees, retirees and their families with a secure future.
  Jim's time at CalPERS will not only be remembered by the funds' 
outstanding growth, but also by his commitment to the participating 
employees. Providing enrollees with exceptional customer service was 
high on his list of concerns. This can be seen in the organization's 
first strategic plan, which he helped shape.
  In addition to leading CalPERS through a time of remarkable growth, 
Jim has served on numerous boards and committees of many prestigious 
organizations. These include the National Association of State 
Retirement Administrators, the Council of Institutional Investors, and 
the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. He also is a 
former Blue Ribbon Commission member of the National Association of 
Corporate Directors.
  In recognition of his excellent work in serving the public employees 
of California, Jim was recently named Outstanding Public Administrator 
by the Sacramento Chapter of the American Society for Public 
Administration.
  His service to the citizens of California, which has spanned the 
course of four decades, will surely be missed. Yet, his commitment to 
the employees of California and their families will undoubtedly serve 
as a model for others to follow.
  Mr. Speaker, I am honored to pay tribute to one of Sacramento's most 
distinguished citizens, James Burton. His successes have been great, 
and it is a wonderful opportunity for me to recognize his many 
contributions to the people of California. I ask all my colleagues to 
join me in wishing my friend, Jim Burton, continued success in his 
future endeavors.

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