[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 152 (2006), Part 13]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 17895]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                         SALUTE TO RUSTY HAMMER

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. LUCILLE ROYBAL-ALLARD

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Tuesday, September 12, 2006

  Ms. ROYBAL-ALLARD. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to offer my best wishes 
and sincere gratitude to Rusty Hammer, who, after 5 fruitful years, 
left his position as president and chief executive officer of the Los 
Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce.
  In keeping with the chamber's 118-year history, Rusty dedicated 
himself to improving the quality of life and economic prosperity of the 
Los Angeles Chamber's 1,500 members, who represent more than 600,000 
employees throughout the Los Angeles region. Under Rusty's strong 
leadership, the Los Angeles Chamber has successfully built partnerships 
between business, community, labor and civic organizations. These 
partnerships have reestablished the chamber as the Los Angeles region's 
premier business advocacy organization.
  During Rusty's tenure, he pioneered many noteworthy projects. For 
example, Rusty spearheaded the chamber's effort on local business tax 
reform and established a highly successful workforce development 
program. His leadership role in creating ``Mobility 21,'' a 
transportation advocacy coalition, helped secure over $2 billion in 
State and Federal funding for transportation improvements in Los 
Angeles. By partnering with the organization UNITE LA, Rusty helped 
create a badly needed and extremely valuable college scholarship 
program that has provided scholarships, application assistance, and 
college access information to nearly 30,000 students in the Los Angeles 
region.
  Under Rusty's stewardship, the chamber's annual trip to Washington, 
DC, has become one of the most successful advocacy efforts on behalf of 
the Los Angeles region and the Los Angeles business community. In 
addition, his weekly opinion article, ``The Business Perspective,'' 
provides an insightful and informative look at business issues facing 
the Los Angeles region.
  Rusty's talents, innovative strategic thinking and willingness to 
work with stakeholders on all sides of the political spectrum have 
played an integral role in the Los Angeles area's economic growth. He 
has truly earned the respect, admiration and gratitude of all who know 
him and have worked with him.
  While Rusty Hammer will truly be missed in Los Angeles and at the Los 
Angeles Area Chamber, we will all continue to benefit from his many 
contributions. We are fortunate that we will also gain from his talents 
as he continues to work on issues that affect California's economy and 
quality of life.
  My husband, Ed, and I are fortunate to have Rusty and his very 
special wife, Pam, as dear friends. I am proud to join the Los Angeles 
Area Chamber of Commerce in thanking Rusty Hammer for his great 
leadership and many contributions to the Los Angeles region and the 
business community. Ed and I send our best wishes and sincere gratitude 
to Rusty, Pam and his wonderful family.

                          ____________________