[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 160 (Wednesday, December 14, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2519]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                JOE CASAZZA: A FIRST-RATE PUBLIC SERVANT

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. BARNEY FRANK

                            of massachusetts

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, December 14, 2005

  Mr. FRANK of Massachusetts. Mr. Speaker, almost exactly 38 years ago, 
as I was beginning my work as the Executive Assistant to newly elected 
Boston Mayor Kevin White, who was to take office on January 1. I 
watched as he went through a very careful and thoughtful process of 
selecting high officials for his new administration. One of the most 
important jobs in any municipal government is that of Public Works 
Commissioner--no city official in Boston has more of an impact on the 
quality of life of the people who live there. It is a difficult and 
demanding job, especially in a city like Boston that is one of the 
oldest in the country and has both the benefits and defects of great 
age.
  There were several very highly qualified applicants for the position 
of Public Works Commissioner. I remember in particular an individual 
who had extremely high academic qualifications, and at the time I was 
myself impressed by the extent to which this individual would bring a 
full understanding of modern technology to the job. The Mayor was also 
impressed with him, but he was even more impressed with a--then--young 
official from a nearby town, who had been Public Works Commissioner in 
that town. His name was Joseph Casazza. One of the things about Kevin 
White that made him a great leader was the seriousness with which he 
approached the appointment of high officials; I was struck also by his 
good judgment in deciding who would best fit, and in his understanding 
of the importance of putting together a balanced team where people 
would have different strengths, in some cases offsetting what might be 
weaknesses in others.
  One result of this process was his selection of Joe Casazza, and it 
is a tribute to Kevin White's judgment that as Joe Casazza now retires, 
after 37 years in this very difficult job as Public Works Commissioner 
of Boston, he is widely recognized for the superb public service he has 
provided the people of the City.
  Mr. Speaker, too often people denigrate those who have chosen to work 
in the public sector. Knowing Joe Casazza as I do, and having watched 
him over the years, I have no doubt that he could have been an 
extraordinarily successful private sector employee, earning far more 
over his lifetime than he did as the Public Works Commissioner. But his 
dedication to the well being of his fellow citizens was such that he 
stayed in the public sector for his entire working career and it is not 
at all surprising that his understandable decision to retire is greeted 
with deep regret by those of us who have benefited from his service.
  Mr. Speaker, I want to add my words of praise to Joe Casazza--an 
extraordinary man who has had an extraordinary career in the public 
service.

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