[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 16] [Extensions of Remarks] [Page 21964] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]PETE KUTRAS ______ HON. ZOE LOFGREN of california in the house of representatives Wednesday, September 24, 2008 Ms. ZOE LOFGREN of California. Madam Speaker, I rise along with my colleague, Congressman Mike Honda, to honor County Executive Pete Kutras for his 39 years of public service and his well-earned retirement which will be effective November 1, 2008. The Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors appointed Kutras to the top spot as county executive in August 2003, after he served as interim county executive for 4 months. He oversees the nearly 15,000 county employees in 29 departments and agencies. Santa Clara County with a population of about 1.8 million is the sixth largest of 58 California counties and the 17th largest of the more than 3,100 counties in the United States. Kutras' extensive history in public service, most with the county of Santa Clara, and his knowledge of the organization and issues were major factors in the Board's decision to appoint him as the county's Chief Executive Officer. Kutras had occupied the number two spot of assistant county executive since July 1999. Prior to that appointment, Kutras held various positions with the county beginning in 1974, including the Directorships of Labor Relations, Personnel and Labor Relations, Employee Services Agency and Deputy County Executive. Among the challenges that Kutras encountered during his 5 years at the helm, and the 2 years that preceded his appointment, has been continuously shrinking resources. Over that time period, each year the county confronted substantial budget deficits that resulted in $1.2 billion in budget solutions to retain services that are vital to vulnerable members of the community. Despite the financial challenges, the county's financial management acumen continues to earn top bond ratings. Kutras enjoys the support and respect of peers and colleagues. Throughout his career, Pete has built coalitions and convinced disparate groups to work together for common solutions. He focused on public safety and introduced reforms in the Probation Department after voter approval of Measure A in 2004, which placed probation under the management of the county executive and oversight of the board of supervisors. During the past few years, Kutras has focused the county organization on disaster preparedness and called for training, drills and readiness to respond to earthquakes and fires, and cold and hot weather emergencies to prevent needless deaths. In light of the recent fires experienced by the area, the results of Kutras' leadership are apparent. The organization has also demonstrated leadership and preparedness for public health threats such as pandemics. Kutras previously served as an elected member of the Campbell Union High School District Board of Trustees and has also served as an appointed commissioner on the Moreland School District Personnel Commission. He is a past president of the California Public Employers Labor Relations Association and also served on the board of directors for the organization. Kutras also has been a member of the Personnel Commission for the city of Morgan Hill. A Morgan Hill resident, Kutras holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Political Science, with a concentration in Public Administration, from San Jose State University. He served in the U.S. Army from 1967-71 with overseas duty in Vietnam and Ethiopia. He was awarded the Bronze Star Medal and the Army Commendation Medal, both for meritorious achievement. As a veteran, Pete understands the debt our Nation owes to the men and women who have served in our armed services. He has always made sure that employees of the county who serve in the military receive all the assistance possible from the county as their employer. He also cares very much for the needs of veterans in Santa Clara County and is always eager to take steps to meet the needs of veterans. On behalf of the thousands of Santa Clara County residents who have directly and indirectly benefitted from Mr. Kutras' leadership I thank him and wish him the best upon his retirement. On a personal note, I served as a member of the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors for 14 years and know, firsthand, that Pete Kutras is a public servant with special talent and extraordinary ability. He has left county government a better place and his efforts have improved the lives of those in need who reside in the County of Santa Clara, I wish him well in his retirement and county government will miss his guidance and intelligence greatly. ____________________