[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 188 (Thursday, December 8, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2216]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      IN RECOGNITION OF JOHN KATZ

                                  _____
                                 

                             HON. DON YOUNG

                               of alaska

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, December 8, 2011

  Mr. YOUNG of Alaska. Mr, Speaker, I rise today to honor one of 
Alaska's most distinguished, faithful, and respected public servants, 
John Katz.
  Fresh out of Berkley Law, he boldly moved to Alaska and made a 
decision to embark upon a life of selfless public service to the people 
of Alaska. Among his first few jobs in public service were being Alaska 
Commissioner of Natural Resources and special counsel on land-use 
issues, before being appointed the Governor's man in Washington D.C. in 
1983.
  His departure can only be described as an enormous loss for our great 
state. For more than 40 years, and spanning eight governors, he has 
served Alaska with unwavering commitment, integrity, and with the 
utmost level of professionalism. Having worked with him for almost 30 
of those years, I have little doubt that his loyalty to and knowledge 
of Alaska is second to none.
  Through thick and thin, his dedication to Alaska was evident to 
everyone who worked with him. Over the years he has always put the 
needs of Alaska first, no more so than when he delayed his retirement 
at the request of Governor Frank Murkowski.
  His reputation of being calm and cool under pressure is well known 
and his ability to work well with Republicans and Democrats alike 
should be emulated by others here in Washington. He once said his 
greatest disappointment was being unable to open up ANWR and I share 
that disappointment with him.
  But despite ANWR, he was an integral part of every positive 
development to happen to Alaska in the last three decades including 
Alaska Native rights, fisheries management, protecting Alaska's 
sovereignty, and natural resource development. After all the work we've 
done together, I will do my utmost to continue this legacy for the good 
of Alaska.
  He is exactly the kind of public servant who gives public service a 
good name. My staff and I will miss working with him, but I hope that 
our paths will continue to cross.
  Thank you for your service to Alaska, John, and I wish you all the 
best in the future.

                          ____________________