[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 155 (Tuesday, December 6, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2449]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             HONORING AL HUEZO, CITY MANAGER OF NEWARK, CA

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. FORTNEY PETE STARK

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, December 6, 2005

  Mr. STARK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the city of 
Newark, CA's extraordinary city manager, Alberto ``Al'' T. Huezo. After 
a long and illustrious career, he will retire on December 30, 2005.
  He was hired by the city on July I, 1974 and promoted to the position 
of city manager on July 1, 1996. For the last 9 years, City Manager 
Huezo has guided Newark in an exemplary fashion. He defines his 
position as city manager as ``the chief executive officer of an 
organization that provides municipal services.'' He emphasizes the word 
services and describes his role also as ``an ambassador for the 
organization, someone who actively markets and promotes that 
organization to people on the outside, potential customers and 
certainly customers within.'' During his tenure as city manager he 
never lost his focus on service.
  When asked how he would like to be remembered, Mr. Huezo responded 
``as a man who didn't take himself too seriously, someone who did his 
job with passion and gusto.'' Among his legacies to the city is the 
development of Newark's Silliman Center, a modern multi-purpose 
community center, and maintaining city services through difficult 
fiscal issues and challenges. He points to the proudest moment of his 
career, as city manager, as being part of a team that dealt effectively 
with the nationally publicized Eddie ``Gwen'' Araujo homicide in 
Newark. This tragedy put the city under a microscope and communities 
acted with dignity and as a tightly knit group to face the challenge 
together.
  Referring to his legacy, Mr. Huezo points to the people that he has 
promoted or brought into the city's organization and the key people in 
place to lead Newark forward.
  I join the city of Newark and its residents in wishing Al Huezo all 
the best upon his well deserved retirement. He has been a trusted 
public servant and we shall miss his warm personality and the genuine, 
consistent caring he expressed when carrying out his duties to make 
Newark a model city. Thank you, Al Huezo, for making a positive 
difference with your commitment to excellence.

                          ____________________