[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 156 (2010), Part 5]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 6204]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




  TRIBUTE TO GARY M. CHRISTMAS, CHIEF DEPUTY COUNTY EXECUTIVE OFFICER

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. KEN CALVERT

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 22, 2010

  Mr. CALVERT. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor and pay tribute to 
an individual from my Congressional District for his nearly 30 years of 
outstanding achievements and accomplishments in public service. Gary M. 
Christmas has served as Riverside County's Chief Deputy County 
Executive Officer since October 2008, and has been employed with the 
county in Riverside, California since July 1997. After almost three 
decades of service, Gary is retiring and today I honor his years of 
public service.
  Gary graduated from the University of New Orleans with a Bachelor's 
Degree in Political Science and from San Jose State University with a 
Master's in Library Science. Prior to attending college, Gary served 
four years in the United States Coast Guard stationed in New Orleans, 
Louisiana.
  Gary was a librarian for 16 years where he held progressively more 
responsible library management positions. He was also a reference 
librarian at several colleges and universities, including University of 
California, Riverside, Cal-Poly Pomona, Riverside Community College and 
Mt. San Jacinto Community College.
  Gary served as the county librarian from July 1997 to June 2004 where 
he managed the library services contract and the County Library System 
with over 30 branches and more than 300 contract employees.
  As Deputy County Executive Officer, a position he held from June 2004 
to October 2008, Gary oversaw analysts in the Executive Office on 
budget and policy items, managed the County Capital Improvement Program 
team and coordinated the court facility transfer to the State 
Administrative Office of the Courts.
  During his tenure as Chief Deputy County Executive Officer, Gary 
worked directly with the CEO, Assistant CEO and the Board of 
Supervisors in developing county policies and strategies. Additionally, 
Gary managed the Program Division of the Executive Office and has 
served as the legislative coordinator for the county advocacy program 
in Sacramento and Washington, DC. Gary has also represented the county 
at various federal, state and local meetings, boards and committees.
  Gary has been married to his wife Kathy since 1974 and has two 
children, Erin and Andrea. In retirement, Gary will continue to travel 
and spend time with his family.
  Gary Christmas's tireless passion for community and public service 
has contributed immensely to the betterment of the community of 
Riverside, California. I am proud to call Gary a fellow community 
member, American and friend. I know that many community members are 
grateful for his service and salute him as he retires.

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