[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 156 (Friday, October 31, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2194]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         HONORING WELDON RUCKER

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. BARBARA LEE

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 30, 2003

  Ms. LEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a great man and public 
servant, Mr. Weldon Rucker, for his 31 years of service to the 
community. Today, Mr. Rucker retires as City Manager of the City of 
Berkeley in California.
  Weldon Rucker is a 42-year resident of Berkeley and proud husband of 
Jeanie Rucker, a former member of the Berkeley Unified School District 
Board of Education. They have two adult daughters and two 
granddaughters. He is a graduate of Saint Mary's College and holds a 
bachelor's degree in business management. On the national stage, Mr. 
Rucker serves as Vice President of the National Forurn of Black Public 
Administrators.
  Mr. Rucker leaves behind a legacy of outstanding public service and 
leadership. He began his career with the City of Berkeley in the early 
1970s as the City's Director of the Young Adult Project and then as 
Youth Employment Director. Rucker moved through the ranks of the City's 
administration, occupying the positions of Director of Human Resources 
and in the late 1980s and early 1990s as Director of the Health and 
Human Services Department.
  He was appointed to the position of City Manager in February 2001 
after having served as acting City Manager following the departure of 
his predecessor. Rucker previously served as an Interim City Manager in 
1995 but declined an appointment to the City's top post at that time.
  Under his leadership, the City of Berkeley has taken numerous 
initiatives to address chronic issues within the City and to firmly 
establish an open, accessible, and efficient City government.
  Mr. Rucker is directly responsible for establishing the Office of 
Neighborhood Services, a direct link between City staff and the public 
that works to ensure fast and effective responses to local concerns. 
Under Neighborhood Services, Weldon set four full-time code enforcement 
officers to maintain close tabs on problem properties, graffiti, and 
illegal dumping among many other issues.
  In an effort to improve access to city government, he also 
established the City Center, a one-stop information center for 
residents to help them navigate City bureaucracies and to provide 
answers to frequently asked questions and common requests. City Center 
provides information to thousands of residents and has proved to be an 
invaluable community resource.
  Finally, as we honor Mr. Rucker today, I want to thank him for being 
an exemplary role model, administrator, and leader. I take great pride 
in joining the residents of Berkeley, Mr. Rucker's family, friends and 
colleagues to recognize and salute the accomplishments and 
contributions of Weldon Rucker.

                          ____________________