[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 100 (Wednesday, July 9, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1431]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[[Page E1431]]
                       TRIBUTE TO BERT BOECKMANN

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. HOWARD L. BERMAN

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, July 9, 2003

  Mr. BERMAN. Mr. Speaker, Mr. McKeon, Mr. Sherman, and I rise today to 
pay tribute to our good friend, Bert Boeckmann, who will be leaving the 
Los Angeles Police Commission because of term limits. The Police 
Commission is one of Los Angeles' most important panels, and Bert's 
strong leadership and vision have played a vital role in setting police 
policy for the City of Los Angeles during the past seventeen years.
  Bert began his remarkable career selling automobiles at Galpin Ford 
in 1953. Four years later at the age of twenty-six, he became the 
General Manager of the company. Shortly afterwards, Bert began a buyout 
of the corporation. By 1968, the buyout was complete. Bert's innovation 
and management skills, along with a very strong sense of integrity and 
customer concern, have helped make him one of America's most successful 
entrepreneurs. By surrounding himself with a management team that 
shares his enthusiasm, honesty and dedication, Galpin Ford has become 
the world's most successful Ford dealership. Bert is widely recognized 
as the most honored and successful automobile dealer in America.
  In 1984, Bert was appointed to the Police Commission by Mayor Tom 
Bradley. In his many years as a member of the Commission, Bert served 
as a stabilizing force, often counseling younger committee members. As 
a Commissioner, Bert worked to revise the system-wide deployment of 
police units to ensure that all areas of Los Angeles received equal 
police response. Bert has also worked to enforce and create policy 
regarding Official Police Garages. In the wake of September 11, Bert 
monitored the police's Anti-Terrorist Division. The mark Bert leaves on 
the Police Commission is indelible, positive and a testament to his 
commitment to public service.
  Bert's many philanthropic achievements have touched the lives of 
millions, even beyond his well-known projects in Los Angeles. For 
example, in 1992, Bert and his wife, Jane, personally responded to a 
desperate plea from the city government of Moscow and Russian farmers 
who were in dire need of seed for the approaching winter harvest. 
Through his involvement with various organizations, Bert helped arrange 
the donation of over 57,000 pounds of seeds. Recently, he established 
the Boeckmann Charitable Foundation, which gives millions annually to 
charities around the world. Locally, Bert has donated more than $1.5 
million to the Boeckmann Center for Iberian and Latin American Studies 
at the University of Southern California.
  Bert is a devoted and loving husband and cares deeply for his five 
children, their families and his five grandchildren. We are extremely 
pleased to know Bert and feel fortunate to have a person like him in 
our community.
  Mr. Speaker, we invite our colleagues to join us in thanking Bert 
Boeckmann for his outstanding contributions to the Police Commission 
and wish him continued success.

                          ____________________