[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 79 (Thursday, May 21, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1261]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                    IN APPRECIATION OF BARBARA PLETZ

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JACKIE SPEIER-

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 21, 2009

  Ms. SPEIER. Madam Speaker, San Mateo County has one of the most 
respected Emergency Medical Services agencies in the nation. Much of 
that success is due to EMS Program Administrator Barbara Pletz, who 
retires May 21st after 21 years of dedicated and inspired service.
  Under Barbara's leadership, the San Mateo County EMS system has been 
transformed into a nationally recognized model of excellence. The 
department has been singled out for many honors, including the Award 
for Excellence from the International Association of Fire Chiefs, 
International City-County Management's Award for Outstanding 
Partnerships, the Helen Putnam Award for Excellence in Public Safety 
from the League of California Cities, and a commendation from the 
National Council for Public-Private Partnerships.
  Barbara Pletz has advanced emergency medical services in San Mateo 
County by, among other things, encouraging public-private partnerships, 
working with hospitals to develop the County's Trauma and Stroke Plans 
and helping develop the San Mateo County Mental Health Assessment and 
Referral Treatment Program.
  Ms. Pletz is a registered nurse with over 35 years of health care 
experience, including a quarter century in emergency medical services. 
She is past president of the Emergency Medical Services Agency 
Administrators' Association of California and was its Legislative Chair 
from 1998-2004. She is also past president of the California Emergency 
Department Nurses Association and was one of the very first 
commissioners on the California State EMS Commission.
  Besides honors bestowed on her department, Ms. Pletz has received 
personal acclaim, including the Distinguished Service Award from the 
Emergency Nurses Association, the Circle of Service Award from the 
California State Association of California, and the Lawrence M. Herman 
Award for Legislative Advocacy from the American Heart Association.
  Madam Speaker, all of us in San Mateo County are sorry to see Barbara 
go, but we wish her much joy and adventure as she pursues her love of 
travel and experiencing new foods and cultures. Our county is a better 
place because of her service and for that we are eternally grateful.

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