[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 6 (Wednesday, January 16, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E20]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       HONORING GEORGE W. BRITTON

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. GEORGE RADANOVICH

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, January 16, 2008

  Mr. RADANOVICH. Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Mr. 
George Britton upon his retirement from the city of Modesto as the city 
manager. Mr. Britton was honored on January 3, 2008, in Modesto, CA.
  George Britton was born and raised in Modesto, CA. After graduating 
from high school, Mr. Britton attended the University of Oregon where 
he received a bachelor's degree and then attended the University of 
Southern California where he received a master's degree in public 
administration. He also completed the program at the John F. Kennedy 
School of Government and the Senior Governmental Executive Program at 
Harvard University.
  Mr. Britton served in the Air Force Reserve from 1970 until 1978. He 
left reserve to join the city manager in the city of Scottsdale, 
Arizona, where he served as the director of municipal utilities and 
assistant to the city manager. Mr. Britton was the executive assistant 
to Arizona Governor Bruce Babbitt from 1980 through 1986, where he 
chaired the Governor's Cabinet and oversaw various State agencies. For 
the next 15 years, he was the deputy city manager for the city of 
Phoenix.
  In 2001 Mr. Britton returned back to Modesto and joined the city of 
Modesto. He started as deputy city manager and was appointed city 
manager in March 2005. During Mr. Britton's time in office the city of 
Modesto has made numerous improvements. In 2006 alone the city had 
increased downtown signage, and developed and increased participation 
in the Citizens Emergency Response Team. The Modesto Fire Department 
was also able to add 12 new firefighters, a new fire truck, and the 
department was awarded funding to add three fire investigators to be 
available for all of Stanislaus County. In addition to all of this, the 
city was also awarded funding to increase the capacity and ability of 
the airport. There have also been major developments with the city's 
solid waste program, expansion of the youth center, increased commerce, 
the creation of more parks and bridges and 71 miles of roads were 
added, repaved or repaired. The city of Modesto was able to make 
enormous strides under the direction of Mr. Britton.
  Madam Speaker, I rise today to commend and congratulate George 
Britton upon his retirement from the city of Modesto. I invite my 
colleagues to join me in wishing Mr. Britton many years of continued 
success.

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