[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 134 (Thursday, December 7, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2127]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      TRIBUTE TO DAVID E. JANSSEN

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. HENRY A. WAXMAN

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, December 6, 2006

  Mr. WAXMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to Dr. David E. 
Janssen and to thank him for his 40-year career as a public servant in 
the State of California. Our Nation owes him a debt of gratitude for 
his decades of dedicated public service.
  In August 1996, Dr. Janssen became the ninth Chief Administrative 
Officer (CAO) of Los Angeles County, a position that was created in 
1938. He has been a superb leader and an inspiring example of personal 
integrity and dedication. He brought a wealth of fiduciary and 
operational knowledge gained through years of experience to his post 
that has resulted in prudent recommendations and sound oversight of the 
County's $20 billion budget.
  As CAO, Dr. Janssen has been responsible for a wide range of duties, 
including making financial recommendations to the County of Los Angeles 
Board of Supervisors to bring more cost-efficient programs to better 
serve the public. He has worked closely with the 38 County Departments 
to make certain that Board policies and priorities have been 
implemented. He has monitored Countywide spending and recommended 
departmental budgets to the Board and ensured that Board-approved 
allocations are not exceeded.
  Dr. Janssen has made sure that the Board's legislative and 
intergovernmental policies and objectives have been coordinated with 
the Board Offices, the Legislative Strategist, and the offices in 
Sacramento and Washington, DC.
  Dr. Janssen has coordinated capital projects/debt management, asset 
management, leasing and space management; administered insurance 
management programs; coordinated emergency preparedness and cost 
recovery efforts following major disasters; addressed unincorporated 
area issues; handled centralized security management for employees and 
facilities; advised Board offices and departments on international 
protocol issues; managed the County's employee relations program and 
compensation systems; coordinated centralized marketing programs; 
performed demographic and geographic research; coordinated centralized 
workplace programs, such as ride sharing, saving bonds, charity and 
volunteers; initiated and promoted activities which provide information 
about the County to the public; and provided centralized photographic 
and graphic art services.
  Under Dr. Janssen's leadership, the CAO's office initiated an annual 
Vision Statement for the County that defined ``core values'' for 
providing public services, including integrity, commitment, 
accountability, professionalism, compassion, respect for diversity, and 
responsiveness. Dr. Janssen was instrumental in implementing a 
Strategic Plan in conjunction with the Vision Statement, which now 
includes six goals: Service Excellence; Workforce Excellence; 
Organizational Effectiveness; Fiscal Responsibility; Children and 
Families Well-Being; and Community Services.
  Dr. Janssen has held memberships in several civic and professional 
organizations, including the United Way, on which he continues to serve 
as a member of the Board of Directors, and the Rotary. He also serves 
on the University of Southern California School of Policy, Planning and 
Development Board of Councilors. In addition, he is a member of the 
American Society of Public Administration and the National Academy of 
Public Administration, which honored him with the 2003 National Public 
Service Award given for exemplary public service.
  Dr. Janssen has served our Nation, our State, and our County with 
honor and distinction. He is to be commended for his philosophy of open 
and honest government that provides easy access to information for 
employees and the public so they can meaningfully participate in the 
governmental process.
  I ask my colleagues to join me and Dr. Janssen's many co-workers, 
family, friends, and associates in congratulating him on his retirement 
and wishing him health, happiness, and good fortune in his future 
endeavors.

                          ____________________