[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 157 (2011), Part 5]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 6546-6547]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                     IN RECOGNITION OF CHARLIE GETZ

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. JACKIE SPEIER

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                          Tuesday, May 3, 2011

  Ms. SPEIER. Mr. Speaker, I rise to congratulate Charlie Getz, a 
nearly four-decade veteran of the California Attorney General's office, 
on the occasion of his retirement. Charlie has served the people of the 
Bay Area and

[[Page 6547]]

the entire state of California with great distinction.
  I got to know Charlie when I first ran for Congress in 1979 and I've 
considered him a close and dear friend ever since. He served as co-
manager pf my successful campaign for San Mateo County Supervisor in 
1980 and has played a significant role in legislative victories at all 
levels of government.
  Charlie has worked in the California Attorney General's office for 38 
years in numerous high-level positions, and holds the distinction of 
being the second-youngest person to be appointed as Deputy Attorney 
General IV. He investigated the Los Angeles Unified School District 
when it built a high school on a toxic waste site. He successfully shut 
down a statewide development scam where local government bonds were 
being used to finance private developers that preyed on seniors and 
other people on fixed incomes. Mr. Getz won an Attorney General Award 
for Excellence, among other honors, for his work on litigation 
surrounding the infestation of Mediterranean fruit flies (Medfly). A 
University of California-Berkeley study later concluded that his work 
on the Medfly saved the state's economy $5 billion per year. During 
that time, Charlie never lost a single case or motion.
  Charlie is an avid model railroader. He is a member of the board of 
directors of the National Model Railroad Association, has given talks 
around the world about this popular hobby, and has written for Narrow 
Gauge and Shortline Gazette magazine for over 30 years. He is an 
acknowledged expert on the assassination of President Kennedy, has 
lectured on this subject on numerous occasions and has a library of 
volumes on JFK that is extraordinary. He is a highly-talented poet and 
not so gifted comedian. Charlie could have earned a lot more money over 
his lifetime if he had gone into writing comedy for late night 
television. Instead, he dedicated his life to statewide public service. 
Charlie is also passionate about the public's interest at the local 
level. Despite a demanding daytime schedule at the California 
Department of Justice, Charlie served for many years on the planning 
commissions of two communities in which he lived: South San Francisco 
and San Carlos. Unbeknownst to most of us, his votes and vision shaped 
the character of these two cities for many decades.
  Charlie Getz is a graduate of the University of California at Los 
Angeles with a bachelor's degree in history and the University of 
Southern California School of Law.
  In short, Charlie Getz is a Renaissance man in our modern era. He is 
fortunate to be blessed with a wonderful wife, Margaret, who is also 
brilliant, a computer specialist, teacher, and a professional chef. 
Margaret will have her hands full ensuring that Charlie stays on track 
during retirement. I wish both Charlie and Margaret the very best in 
the next chapter of their lives.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask this body to join me in celebrating the 
extraordinary career of a dedicated public servant, a wise citizen, and 
an uncommon friend, Charlie Getz.

                          ____________________