[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 46 (Friday, March 21, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E549]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 MR. RICHARD WITTENBERG HONORED FOR YEARS OF SERVICE TO THE PEOPLE OF 
                           SANTA CLARA COUNTY

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. ZOE LOFGREN

                             of california

                         HON. MICHAEL M. HONDA

                             of california

                           HON. ANNA G. ESHOO

                             of california

                          HON. HENRY A. WAXMAN

                             of california

                         HON. HOWARD L. BERMAN

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 20, 2003

  Ms. LOFGREN. Mr. Speaker, today we rise to recognize the achievements 
of Richard Wittenberg, County Executive for Santa Clara County. Mr. 
Wittenberg is retiring after 8 years of dedicated service to the people 
of Santa Clara County.
  When Zoe Lofgren was on the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors, 
she searched the state of California to find Richard. In the years that 
followed, Richard won the hearts of many elected officials by 
responding quickly to their needs, having high ethical standards and 
working to build consensus.
  Richard came to Santa Clara County from Ventura County, California 
where he was the Chief Executive Officer for 16 years. During his 
tenure there, he held various offices of the County Administrative 
Officers Association of California; was a member of the Commission on 
California Public-Private Partnership; and a member of the Ronald 
Reagan Presidential Library Advisory Committee.
  A leader in the community as well as in his field, Richard has 
volunteered for the United Way, as a board member for the Brandeis-
Bardin Institute, Boy Scouts of America, and as a board member of the 
Anti-Defamation League.
  Richard leaves Santa Clara County in better shape than he arrived: 
the County Executive now oversees a staff of 16,000 and a $3.8 billion 
budget that covers the operations of parks, libraries and the sheriff's 
department, as well as the region's neediest residents.
  Under Richard Wittenberg's dedicated leadership, Santa Clara County 
earned the highest bond ratings issued to any county in the state, 
garnering an AA+ from Standard and Poor's, and a AA2 from Moody's. 
Meanwhile, reserves grew from $12 million in the mid-1990's to $96 
million in 2002.
  We wish to thank Richard Wittenberg for his tireless and loyal 
service to the County and wish him the best in his future endeavors. 
Though we will miss his creativity, expertise and commitment, his 
dedication has left its mark on Santa Clara County.

                          ____________________