[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 153 (Thursday, September 25, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1977]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                              PETE KUTRAS

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. ZOE LOFGREN

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 24, 2008

  Ms. ZOE LOFGREN of California. Madam Speaker, I rise along with my 
colleague, Congressman Mike Honda, to honor County Executive Pete 
Kutras for his 39 years of public service and his well-earned 
retirement which will be effective November 1, 2008.
  The Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors appointed Kutras to the 
top spot as county executive in August 2003, after he served as interim 
county executive for 4 months. He oversees the nearly 15,000 county 
employees in 29 departments and agencies. Santa Clara County with a 
population of about 1.8 million is the sixth largest of 58 California 
counties and the 17th largest of the more than 3,100 counties in the 
United States.
  Kutras' extensive history in public service, most with the county of 
Santa Clara, and his knowledge of the organization and issues were 
major factors in the Board's decision to appoint him as the county's 
Chief Executive Officer. Kutras had occupied the number two spot of 
assistant county executive since July 1999. Prior to that appointment, 
Kutras held various positions with the county beginning in 1974, 
including the Directorships of Labor Relations, Personnel and Labor 
Relations, Employee Services Agency and Deputy County Executive.
  Among the challenges that Kutras encountered during his 5 years at 
the helm, and the 2 years that preceded his appointment, has been 
continuously shrinking resources. Over that time period, each year the 
county confronted substantial budget deficits that resulted in $1.2 
billion in budget solutions to retain services that are vital to 
vulnerable members of the community. Despite the financial challenges, 
the county's financial management acumen continues to earn top bond 
ratings.
  Kutras enjoys the support and respect of peers and colleagues. 
Throughout his career, Pete has built coalitions and convinced 
disparate groups to work together for common solutions. He focused on 
public safety and introduced reforms in the Probation Department after 
voter approval of Measure A in 2004, which placed probation under the 
management of the county executive and oversight of the board of 
supervisors.
  During the past few years, Kutras has focused the county organization 
on disaster preparedness and called for training, drills and readiness 
to respond to earthquakes and fires, and cold and hot weather 
emergencies to prevent needless deaths. In light of the recent fires 
experienced by the area, the results of Kutras' leadership are 
apparent. The organization has also demonstrated leadership and 
preparedness for public health threats such as pandemics.
  Kutras previously served as an elected member of the Campbell Union 
High School District Board of Trustees and has also served as an 
appointed commissioner on the Moreland School District Personnel 
Commission. He is a past president of the California Public Employers 
Labor Relations Association and also served on the board of directors 
for the organization. Kutras also has been a member of the Personnel 
Commission for the city of Morgan Hill.
  A Morgan Hill resident, Kutras holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in 
Political Science, with a concentration in Public Administration, from 
San Jose State University. He served in the U.S. Army from 1967-71 with 
overseas duty in Vietnam and Ethiopia. He was awarded the Bronze Star 
Medal and the Army Commendation Medal, both for meritorious 
achievement.
  As a veteran, Pete understands the debt our Nation owes to the men 
and women who have served in our armed services. He has always made 
sure that employees of the county who serve in the military receive all 
the assistance possible from the county as their employer. He also 
cares very much for the needs of veterans in Santa Clara County and is 
always eager to take steps to meet the needs of veterans.
  On behalf of the thousands of Santa Clara County residents who have 
directly and indirectly benefitted from Mr. Kutras' leadership I thank 
him and wish him the best upon his retirement. On a personal note, I 
served as a member of the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors for 
14 years and know, firsthand, that Pete Kutras is a public servant with 
special talent and extraordinary ability. He has left county government 
a better place and his efforts have improved the lives of those in need 
who reside in the County of Santa Clara, I wish him well in his 
retirement and county government will miss his guidance and 
intelligence greatly.

                          ____________________