Ms. ROYBAL-ALLARD. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to offer my best wishes and sincere gratitude to Rusty Hammer, who, after five 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 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.
 

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