[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 36 (Tuesday, March 4, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E291]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      TRIBUTE TO CYNTHIA J. KURTZ

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. ADAM B. SCHIFF

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, March 4, 2008

  Mr. SCHIFF. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Cynthia J. Kurtz, 
who recently retired from her post as City Manager of Pasadena, 
California. Ms. Kurtz served the City for over 20 years, spending the 
last 10 years as the chief administrative officer of Pasadena's diverse 
community of 144,000 residents and has left a legacy that will be 
enjoyed by generations to come.
  In her capacity as city manager, Cynthia was responsible for over 
2,300 employees with an operating budget of over $550 million. With a 
keen vision for the ``big picture'' and a wealth of experience to draw 
upon, she was the driving force behind some of the most important 
projects in the city's history.
  Cynthia came to Pasadena after 10 years of employment with the city 
of Portland, Oregon, where she held a variety of positions in the 
Office of Transportation and the Bureau of Economic Development. That 
experience served Pasadena well when she was hired as the City's 
Capital Program Administrator in 1987. In 1991, she became director of 
public works for the City of Pasadena where she shepherded high profile 
projects such as the delicate $24 million reconstruction of the 
historic Colorado Street Bridge.
  During my years in the California State Senate, I worked with Cynthia 
on the planning for a light rail line from Los Angeles to Pasadena, and 
her contributions to that project were vital to its success. Completed 
on time and under budget, the Gold Line light rail project has been an 
invaluable asset to the San Gabriel Valley, and especially to Pasadena.
  The Pasadena City Council was well aware of Cynthia's hard work on 
their behalf, and when the position of city manager became open in 
1998, she was the first woman to be appointed to that post. As city 
manager, she first concentrated on solidifying budget procedures while 
also attending to the quality of life issues that make Pasadena a 
special place to live and work.
  Ms. Kurtz's most recent landmark achievement was last year's 
completion of a $118 million renovation of historic Pasadena City Hall. 
When the structure was determined to be seismically vulnerable, she 
worked with her staff to create a plan that would safeguard Pasadena 
employees while also preserving this most recognizable jewel of the 
``Crown City.'' The project was completed ahead of schedule and 
continues to stand as a testament to Pasadena's rich architectural 
heritage.
  Cynthia Kurtz has been an invaluable asset to the city of Pasadena, 
and I ask all Members to join me in thanking Cynthia J. Kurtz for over 
2 decades of dedicated service.

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