[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 51 (Tuesday, April 20, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E563]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    IN HONOR OF MR. GARY ENGEBRETSON

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. PETE SESSIONS

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, April 20, 2004

  Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. Speaker, I rise to congratulate Gary Engebretson, 
as he retires from his position as president of the Contract Services 
Association of America (CSA)--a position he has held for 17 years.
  Gary came to CSA in 1987, with a background in electrical engineering 
and a love of politics. While working as an electrical contractor, he 
became involved in Iowa's Republican Party, where he eventually became 
one of the state leaders. He moved on to the Veteran's Administration, 
getting his first real taste for public policy that would stick with 
him for the rest of his career. That was followed by a lengthy stint at 
the Republican National Committee, as Chief of Staff and Executive 
Assistant. Moving from there to a Texas-based oil company, Gary met a 
then unknown, budding Texas politician just beginning his foray into 
politics, that of George W. Bush. Like our president, Gary, too, had a 
run at political office. Luckily for CSA, he lost.
  Under Gary's leadership, CSA has taken an active role in our 
legislative process, supporting the Federal Activities Inventory Reform 
Act (which I sponsored), and, more recently, the Service Acquisition 
Reform Act (SARA) that became law last Fall. Gary also has given CSA a 
real presence in agency circles, too; for example, by signing 
partnering agreements with the Naval Facilities Command and the Army's 
Training and Doctrination and Forces commands, and developing a close 
relationship with the Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division and 
the agency Labor Advisors.
  As the successes in D.C. grew, so did CSA's reputation within the 
industry. Under Gary's leadership, the size of the membership has 
grown, and CSA has become the ``go-to'' association for the Government 
services contracting industry. Whether Gary's longevity in Washington 
is ultimately due to his penchant to be a straight shooter or just that 
he's a nice guy, his golden reputation in D.C. has made CSA the strong 
presence that it now enjoys. I want to extend my best wishes to Gary 
and his wife Lara on their new phase of life.




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