[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 62 (Thursday, May 6, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E782]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       RECOGNIZING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF NEIL KENNETH BURRASTON

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. HILDA L. SOLIS

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 6, 2004

  Ms. SOLIS. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the life and legacy of 
Mr. Neil Burraston, a Principal Consultant in the California State 
Legislature who recently passed away.
  For more than 30 years, Burraston helped advance the political 
careers of countless California legislators by providing them with 
invaluable advice and unmatched policymaking expertise. More 
importantly, the numerous policies he helped draft on workers 
compensation, have improved the lives of millions of working families 
in California.
  After a stellar administrative career in the New York State 
Legislature, Neil began his career with the California State 
Legislature in 1972 as an Administrative Analyst in both the 
Legislative Analyst's Office and the Joint Legislative Budget 
Committee. His mastery of state government policy-making was recognized 
by his colleagues in 1984, when he was promoted to Senior Consultant 
for the Senate Committee on Industrial Relations and later to Principal 
Consultant in 1993. When I was Chair of the Senate Industrial Relations 
Committee in the late 1990s, Burraston's expertise and advice helped me 
to make informed decisions about issues before the committee.
  A near-fatal illness provided Burraston with renewed insight into the 
value and purpose of life and the impact one can have on others outside 
the family. As an active member in his community, he advocated to end 
alcohol abuse among families and vulnerable children. As President of 
the National Council on Alcoholism, he helped organize the National 
Association of Adult Children of Alcoholics and sponsored youth support 
groups for young people who wished to live a life free of alcohol 
abuse.
  Born in Payson, Utah on 1938, Burraston earned his bachelor's and 
master's degree in political studies from Brigham Young University. A 
devout Mormon and an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of 
Latter-day Saints, Burraston suffered a heart attack while serving on a 
Latter-day Saint mission and died on February 28, 2004, in San Antonio, 
Texas. He leaves behind his loving wife, Amanda, five children, 16 
grandchildren and two siblings.
  Neil Burraston will always be known for his contributions to the 
State of California, its Legislature, and its people. His work will 
always be a model for other consultants and legislators to learn and 
emulate. Although we will miss Neil dearly, his life and legacy will 
live in our hearts forever.

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