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“TRIBUTE TO MR. JAMES H. GOMEZ” mentioning the U.S. Dept of State was published in the Extensions of Remarks section on pages E1531 on Sept. 9, 2002.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
TRIBUTE TO MR. JAMES H. GOMEZ
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HON. FORTNEY PETE STARK
of california
in the house of representatives
Monday, September 9, 2002
Mr. STARK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor one of CalPERS' highest-ranking officials, Mr. James H. Gomez, as he ends his tenure as the Deputy Executive Officer.
James Gomez was appointed to the position of Deputy Executive Officer of CalPERS in December of 1996, a position that is second in command and serves as the chief operating officer under the CEO. As chief operating officer, James Gomez was responsible for the day-to-day operations of the $145 billion retirement system. He led the implementation of CalPERS' strategic plan to ensure the system is a world-class administrator of retirement and health benefits for public employees.
While at CalPERS, James Gomez made his mark by improving customer service with the Customer Call Center which significantly improves the ability to provide solutions to members' problems. He also led the effort to obtain $7 billion in state funding to benefit state and public school employees. The imaging project he oversaw allowed 51 million records to be imaged for increased record efficiency. CalPERS is a more effective and efficient organization due to the hard work and dedication of James Gomez.
James Gomez has been a public servant for close to 30 years working for the State Department of Benefit Payments, State Department of Social Services, California Department of Corrections, the County of Santa Clara, and most recently CalPERS. His dedication to public service kept him with the California State Department of Social Services over several years where he was tasked with ensuring that all children and foster care services were difficult to enter into but simple to leave.
James Gomez is the recipient of many distinguished awards and recognitions, including the American Society of Public Administrators and the Outstanding Public Administrator Award. In recognition for his contributions, he has earned the One to One, Leadership Award, Share the Path Program, along with other such distinguishable awards.
I am honored to join the employees of CalPERS in commending James Gomez for his many years in public service. His dedication to the community has been great and his commitment to the employees of California will serve as a model for others to follow.
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