[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 49 (Monday, March 23, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E736]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      IN RECOGNITION OF SAM BURNS

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                          HON. DORIS O. MATSUI

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, March 23, 2009

  Ms. MATSUI. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Sam Burns, 
a dear friend and tireless community leader who recently passed away. 
Sam served as the head of the Sacramento Convention Center and Visitors 
Bureau and was an admired advocate for drawing tourism into Sacramento. 
As his family and friends gather to honor and remember his wonderful 
life, I ask all of my colleagues to join me in saluting one of 
Sacramento's most well-respected figures.
  Sam was a prominent leader in the Sacramento Region, and his death 
leaves a tremendous void in the community. When Sam was hired by city 
leaders in 1972, the Memorial Auditorium was the largest local venue 
for conventions. Under Sam's leadership, a new Sacramento Community 
Center opened in 1974, finally putting Sacramento on the map as a 
convention host. With an $80 million expansion in 1995, the Community 
Center was renamed Sacramento Convention Center Complex and is now home 
to dozens of major events, conventions, and community gatherings each 
year.
  Sam was a strong supporter of all that Sacramento has to offer, from 
the prestigious Crocker Art Museum to Old Sacramento and the city's 
riverfront. The high quality of his work and his dedication to 
Sacramento led to the expansion of his duties in 1993, when he was 
named to lead the Community and Visitor Services Department. Sam became 
responsible for drawing large crowds to Sacramento as he promoted the 
Sacramento Jazz Festival and other city events.
  Sam's passion and commitment resonated in his work and will not soon 
be forgotten by the Sacramento community. His positive impact is seen 
across our city in the expansion of downtown hotels and the numerous 
conventions held each year. Sam was a wonderful public servant and 
ambassador to Sacramento, but he was an even better husband and father. 
He leaves behind his lovely wife Betsy and three children, Brandi, 
Michael and Brett.
  Madam Speaker, as Sam Burns' family and friends gather to honor his 
wonderful legacy and many contributions, I am honored to pay tribute to 
him. Those of us who were privileged enough to call him our friend will 
deeply miss him. I ask all my colleagues to pause and join me in paying 
respect to an extraordinary man, Sam Burns.

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