[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 42 (Tuesday, March 30, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E481-E482]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                TRIBUTE TO FRANCIS I. ``BUTCH'' HODGKINS

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. ROBERT T. MATSUI

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, March 30, 2004

  Mr. MATSUI. Mr. Speaker, I rise in tribute to a man with a truly 
distinguished public service career. For nearly four decades, Francis 
I. ``Butch'' Hodgkins has served Sacramento County with great class and 
distinction. Butch will soon retire from his current position as the 
Executive Director of the Sacramento Area Flood Control Agency. As his 
friends, family and colleagues gather to celebrate Butch's illustrious 
career, I ask all of my colleagues to join me in saluting this 
outstanding citizen of Sacramento.
  Butch received his Associate of Science degree from Sacramento City 
College and then moved on to California State University, Sacramento 
for a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering. In 1965, Butch 
began his four-decade long career with the County of Sacramento, 
Department of Public Works. From 1972 until 1988, he worked for Public 
Works Division of Sacramento County that dealt with the sewer system.
  In March of 1989, Butch was appointed Deputy Director of the 
Department of Public Works for Sacramento County. During his tenure at 
this position, he served as the project and construction engineer for a 
$100 million wastewater construction program. In addition, as Chief of 
the Division, he was responsible for a $50 million per year regional 
wastewater project.
  In September 1991, the Sacramento County Board of Supervisors 
assigned Butch to the City and County Office of Water Planning. In his 
capacity as a Liaison for the City and County Office of Water Planning, 
Butch was charged with the formidable task of formulating an area-wide 
plan to provide safe and reliable water supply in such a manner which

[[Page E482]]

protects the environment for both the City and County of Sacramento. As 
he had demonstrated throughout his career up to that juncture, Butch 
achieved great success in this position. Butch soon developed a well 
deserved reputation as an effective problem-solver and a dedicated 
public servant. In September of 1994, Butch's outstanding track record 
would earn him the post of the Executive Director of the Sacramento 
Area Flood Control Agency (SAFCA.)
  SAFCA is a joint organization with a Board of Directors comprised of 
members from Sacramento County Board of Supervisors, Sacramento City 
Council, Reclamation District 1000 Board of Trustees, American River 
Flood Control District Board of Trustees and Sutter County Board of 
Supervisors. Its primary function is to address problems such as 
regional flood control and levee instability in the Sacramento area.
  Under Butch's stewardship, SAFCA has grown in credibility, 
visibility, and reach. In a community in which everyone agrees that the 
region's current flood protection is woefully inadequate, but not 
everyone agrees on a solution, Butch has helped mold SAFCA into the 
definitive and unifying authority on all matters related to flood 
control in the Sacramento Area. Throughout his successful tenure as 
Executive Director, Butch has proven to be an affective consensus 
builder, pragmatic thinker, and tireless worker who has rightfully 
earned the respect and admiration of those who have worked with him.
  In his retirement, Butch can look forward to spending more time with 
his wife, Christine and daughters, Shelly Lynn and Laurie. I am 
confident that Butch would achieve great success and happiness in his 
retirement, just as he had throughout his professional career.
  Mr. Speaker, as Butch's friends, family and colleagues gather to 
celebrate his great career; I am truly honored to pay tribute to one of 
Sacramento's most honorable citizens. The Sacramento region has 
benefited greatly from having Butch's strong leadership during 
turbulent times. He will be missed greatly by all who worked with him. 
I ask all of my colleagues to join with me in wishing Butch continued 
success in all of his future endeavors, wherever retirement may lead 
him.

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