[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 98 (Thursday, July 15, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1386]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       HONORING PORT OF OAKLAND EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR TAY YOSHITANI

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. BARBARA LEE

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, July 14, 2004

  Ms. LEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the exceptional 
achievements of retiring Port of Oakland Executive Director Tay 
Yoshitani.
  Since his graduation from the United States Military Academy and the 
Harvard Graduate School of Business Administration, Mr. Yoshitani's 
distinguished career has included the direction of the ports of several 
major cities. After serving as the Deputy Director of the Port of Los 
Angeles for six years, he became the Director of the Port of Maryland 
Administration in 1995. There he served with distinction until joining 
the Port of Oakland in 1998 as Deputy Executive Director, and later 
becoming Executive Director in October 2001.
  As the Executive Director of the Port of Oakland, Mr. Yoshitani 
directed a staff of over six hundred employees and oversaw the 
management of the Oakland International Airport, the Oakland Seaport, 
and the historic Jack London Square. He has done an outstanding job 
managing not only the functions of the Port itself, but has also 
consistently demonstrated his commitment to sustainable development as 
a business goal through his pursuit of social equity and environmental 
responsibility in addition to economic vitality. In keeping with these 
principles, he established a new division at the Port, the Social 
Responsibility Division, which ensures greater access to jobs and 
business opportunities for the local community. Furthermore, Mr. 
Yoshitani is responsible for the establishment of a variety of other 
ground-breaking initiatives, such as the Public Art Program and Policy, 
the Port's sustainability Task Force, and the Annual Good Neighbor 
Awards, which recognize individuals and organizations delivering 
outstanding community service.
  During his tenure as Executive Director, Mr. Yoshitani has also 
presided over the completion of a number of infrastructural 
improvements to all three Port divisions. In addition to supporting the 
Estuary Plan by initiating real estate and waterfront development in 
underutilized areas, he also presided over the completion of enlarged 
marine terminals, as well as the initiation of the construction of the 
Oakland International Airport's Terminal Improvement Program, the 
largest aviation project in the airport's 77-year history. Furthermore, 
under Mr. Yoshitani's direction, the Port has received over one hundred 
million dollars in Federal funding for various infrastructural 
improvements.
  On July 14, 2004, Mr. Yoshitani will be honored in Oakland, 
California on the occasion of his retirement. I would like to take this 
opportunity to commend his exceptional achievements not only in the 
areas of Port economic growth and development, but also for his role as 
a leader in the areas of social responsibility and sustainable business 
practices. Mr. Yoshitani has distinguished himself as an exceptional 
business and civic leader, whose contributions have greatly enriched 
our community.

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