[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 112 (Monday, September 9, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1531]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     TRIBUTE TO MR. JAMES H. GOMEZ

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. FORTNEY PETE STARK

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, September 9, 2002

  Mr. STARK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor one of CalPERS' 
highest-ranking officials, Mr. James H. Gomez, as he ends his tenure as 
the Deputy Executive Officer.
  James Gomez was appointed to the position of Deputy Executive Officer 
of CalPERS in December of 1996, a position that is second in command 
and serves as the chief operating officer under the CEO. As chief 
operating officer, James Gomez was responsible for the day-to-day 
operations of the $145 billion retirement system. He led the 
implementation of CalPERS' strategic plan to ensure the system is a 
world-class administrator of retirement and health benefits for public 
employees.
  While at CalPERS, James Gomez made his mark by improving customer 
service with the Customer Call Center which significantly improves the 
ability to provide solutions to members' problems. He also led the 
effort to obtain $7 billion in state funding to benefit state and 
public school employees. The imaging project he oversaw allowed 51 
million records to be imaged for increased record efficiency. CalPERS 
is a more effective and efficient organization due to the hard work and 
dedication of James Gomez.
  James Gomez has been a public servant for close to 30 years working 
for the State Department of Benefit Payments, State Department of 
Social Services, California Department of Corrections, the County of 
Santa Clara, and most recently CalPERS. His dedication to public 
service kept him with the California State Department of Social 
Services over several years where he was tasked with ensuring that all 
children and foster care services were difficult to enter into but 
simple to leave.
  James Gomez is the recipient of many distinguished awards and 
recognitions, including the American Society of Public Administrators 
and the Outstanding Public Administrator Award. In recognition for his 
contributions, he has earned the One to One, Leadership Award, Share 
the Path Program, along with other such distinguishable awards.
  I am honored to join the employees of CalPERS in commending James 
Gomez for his many years in public service. His dedication to the 
community has been great and his commitment to the employees of 
California will serve as a model for others to follow.

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