[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 89 (Tuesday, June 17, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1278]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        TRIBUTE TO RUTH GALANTER

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. HOWARD L. BERMAN

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 17, 2003

  Mr. BERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to my dear friend, 
Ruth Galanter, on the occasion of her retirement from the Los Angeles 
City Council. Ruth is an amazing, passionate and intelligent person who 
has accomplished so much in her political career without ever 
compromising her impeccable integrity or diminishing her idealism. I 
have had the pleasure of working with her since the 1970's when she was 
a prominent environmental activist and later as a member of the 
California Coastal Commission. I not only respect her professionally, 
but I value her friendship and advice.
  Elected in 1987 to the Los Angeles Sixth City Council District, Ruth 
has spent the last 15 years shaping and improving the city of Los 
Angeles. Ruth was President Pro Tem for 4 years and became president of 
the council in 2001. She is admired and well-respected by her friends, 
colleagues and associates. In addition to her legendary success in 
solving constituent problems and her well-known legislative prowess, 
Ruth has made a name for herself protecting the environment. She 
spearheaded the city's recycling program, authored the city's major 
water conservation programs and led the effort to fluoridate the city's 
water supply. She also directed the city's conservation efforts to 
ensure an adequate safe water supply for the next century.
  Early in her tenure, Ruth created a network of Community Planning 
Advisory Committees which assisted her in significant land use 
decisions throughout the city. Also, as chair of the Council's 
Committee on Commerce, Energy and Natural Resources, she worked to 
negotiate the challenges posed by electricity deregulation and the 
current energy crisis facing the State. And, as the city council's 
expert on aviation and airport issues, Ruth's futurist vision has 
improved the quality of life for all who live in southern California. 
She knows that the decisions made today regarding airport capacity and 
other transportation services directly impact our quality of life today 
and in the future.
  Born in New York City, Ruth received a bachelor of arts degree from 
the University of Michigan and a Masters Degree in Urban Planning from 
Yale. Los Angeles has been blessed to have her at the helm, and I am 
proud to call her my friend.
  Mr. Speaker, I invite my colleagues to join me in thanking Ruth 
Galanter for all she has done and wishing her continued success in all 
her future endeavors.

                          ____________________