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[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1547]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
HONORING THE CAREER OF GEORGE WOLFBERG
______
HON. TED LIEU
of california
in the house of representatives
Thursday, December 5, 2019
Mr. TED LIEU of California. Madam Speaker, I rise to celebrate Mr.
George Wolfberg, a longtime community leader in California's 33rd
Congressional District who will receive the Pride of the Palisades
award from the Pacific Palisades Community Council. George worked for
the City of Los Angeles for 37 years and played a hand in its bid for
the 1984 Summer Olympics, divestment from South Africa over apartheid,
and rewriting of the city charter.
Born on April 22, 1938 to Bernard Wolfberg and Leah Wolfberg, George
was raised in Los Angeles, attending Los Angeles High School and the
University of California, Los Angeles, where he received his degree in
political science. George and his wife, Diane, married on February 9,
1964 and went on to have three children: Anya, David, and Michael, and
four grandchildren.
George began working for the city of Los Angeles in 1961 in the City
Administrative Office, where he eventually rose to Chief Administrative
Analyst, the highest non-appointed position in the office. In that
role, he prepared Los Angeles' successful bid for the 1984 Summer
Olympics and worked to ensure infrastructure upgrades were completed
for the event. He also administered the City's anti-apartheid program,
overseeing the research necessary to ensure successful divestment from
South Africa under apartheid. Even after he retired, George continued
to play an outsized role in city government, serving as City Charter
Commission Research Director and co-authoring the City's administrative
code.
The neighborhood of Pacific Palisades in some ways owes George a debt
for its development. George helped craft and implement the Los Angeles
Community Plan that has guided the growth and land use of Pacific
Palisades and will for years to come. In addition to serving as Chair,
Chair-Emeritus, and Vice Chair on the Pacific Palisades Community
Council, he served on the board of the Santa Monica Canyon Civic
Association and Portrero Canyon Park citizens advisory committee,
calling attention to the importance of proper landscape design and
infrastructure. Even from his bed in the ICU this past September,
George has been contacting Los Angeles city staff and officials to
support a new park in his neighborhood.
George's passion for engaging the youth is evident through his work
on the Los Angeles County Bicycle Advisory Committee, service as a
Watts Friendship Sports League commissioner following the 1992 riots,
and efforts with the local American Youth Soccer Organization, where he
was a National Referee still overseeing games as recently as last year.
George has also received numerous awards for his volunteer work,
including the Pacific Palisades Community Council's Citizen of the Year
award in 2011.
George's impact in Los Angeles and Pacific Palisades is remarkable
and inspiring. I want to thank and recognize George for his efforts to
improve his community and outstanding leadership throughout his career.
____________________
