[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 54 (Wednesday, March 28, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E675]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       TRIBUTE TO PHILIP DEPOIAN

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. HOWARD L. BERMAN

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, March 28, 2007

  Mr. BERMAN. Madam Speaker, I rise to recognize and honor an 
individual whose service to the people of City of Los Angeles is as a 
model to us all. His dedication, talent, and integrity played a role in 
building Los Angeles to the cultural and cutting edge city it is today.
  Philip Depoian dedicated nearly 34 years to the City of Los Angeles, 
serving under four Mayors and many city council members. He began his 
career with the city as Mayor Tom Bradley's first Scheduling Director 
and thereafter as Special Counsel. Mr. Depoian subsequently became the 
Intergovernmental Liaison to the Mayor, to the Police Department, and 
to Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA). During his time with the mayor, 
Mr. Depoian took a leave of absence to work on the International 
Presidential Advance Planning for the White House during a portion of 
the Jimmy Carter Administration.
  In 1994, Mr. Depoian was appointed by Mayor Tom Bradley to the 
position of Deputy Executive Director for the Government and External 
Affairs of Los Angeles World Airports that includes representation for 
all four of LAWA's airports: Los Angeles International Airport, Ontario 
International Airport, Palmdale Regional Airport and Van Nuys Airport. 
With his extensive knowledge of governmental affairs, legislative 
analysis, international relations and public policy, he oversaw many 
divisions at LAWA including Environmental Management, Noise Management, 
Public Affairs and Rideshare. He also launched the Air Service 
Marketing Division and developed a multi-faceted approach to market 
LAWA's regional airports
  Through Mr. Depoian's efforts, LAWA was able to expand its market 
overseas by creating marketing offices in Tokyo and London. He played a 
key role in re-establishing passenger service in Mexico and reopening 
U.S. Customs and Immigration there. It was through Mr. Depoian's 
leadership that LAWA was able to create sister-airport cooperative 
agreements with airports in Inchon, South Korea, and Beijing and 
Guangzhou, China.
  Mr. Depoian is retiring to spend more time with his wife, Julie 
Pastor Depoian and their daughter, Katie. His retirement from city 
service will leave a great void to all who depended on his sage advice, 
his tenacity, his charm and intelligence with which he approached all 
tasks. He has served the city at several capacities and his innovation 
and expertise has helped Los Angeles keep pace with its mission as an 
economic hub.
  It is with great pleasure that I take this opportunity to express my 
thanks, and that of a grateful city, to Philip Depoian for his years of 
dedication to public service. I wish him success and happiness in all 
his future endeavors.

                          ____________________