REMARKS AS PREPARED FOR DELIVERY - SANDY K. BARUAH, ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF COMMERCE FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT - RETIREMENT CELEBRATION FOR PAUL RAETSCH - PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA

THURSDAY, JANUARY 4, 2007

AS PREPARED FOR DELIVERY

Intro by John Mullin, Dean of the Graduate School, University of Massachusetts Amherst

Thank you, John.

Paul, the Raetsch Family, EDA staff and alumni, and distinguished guests, it is my sincere pleasure to be in Philadelphia today to commemorate the retirement of my friend Paul Raetsch, and wish him and Betty a long, happy, and healthy next chapter of their lives.

Today’s attendance, complete with current EDA colleagues, former colleagues, partners from the economic development community, persons from Washington, Philadelphia and other points near and far is a testament to the breadth of the esteem in which Paul Raetsch is held.

And rightfully so. Paul Raetsch has served the interests of the public with distinction, with skill, and with passion over the course of 5 decades.

A lot has changed since Paul began his service with EDA in 1971, just shortly after the agency was established. Paul has seen the Presidential Administration change 6 times, the Commerce Secretary change 16 times, a similar number of Assistant Secretaries, and the EDA budget change from nearly $800 million in 1971 to…well…let’s not go there.

But despite the fluctuating fortunes of our humble Federal agency, the one thing that hasn’t changed over time is EDA personnel’s commitment to the communities we serve and to making a real difference. Paul, you are the embodiment of this commitment, and the communities our agency seeks to support owe you a debt of gratitude for your steady commitment even during unsteady times.

My friend Dr. Phil Singerman, former Assistant Secretary of Commerce, is here today and will address you in just a moment. Phil is the one who had the good judgment in 1998 to appoint Paul as the Director of the Philadelphia Regional Office.

My limited experience in government is that sometimes the goal seems to be to blame the “other guy” – the other Administration, the other political party, the other side of the table. But on this point – and many others – I applaud former Assistant Secretary Singerman for his sound judgment for selecting Paul Raetsch.

Paul played a significant role working side-by-side with Phil Singerman, NARC, NADO, IEDC, and our friends on Capitol Hill to secure EDA’s 1998 reauthorization after far-too-long-of-a-time in the Federal wilderness.

Paul understands better than most that successful economic development begins with sound planning. Paul understands that this important first step in the economic development process cannot be taken lightly – that it is not enough for a region to say that they have a plan, but that a region should have a fully integrated economic plan that involves the private sector, the key institutions of the region, and political powers-that-be.

Nowhere has Paul’s understanding of the need for a holistic approach to development been more clear than the issue of BRAC-impacted communities. Communities such as the Naval shipyard here in Philadelphia have been transformed into productive civilian use thanks to the leadership of people like Paul Raetsch.

While EDA is just one of a multitude of Federal agencies, I hope that it has not escaped you, Paul, that because of your good work, there are scores of people across this land that are gainfully employed today.

With the jobs you have helped create, Paul, you have helped to build communities and families – key elements of the American dream. Mortgages are paid, college tuition bills are met, and weddings are afforded thanks to your modest, yet dedicated nature.

Beyond your 36 years with EDA, you have made a contribution to the Army Corps of Engineers, a Congressman’s office, and the City of Baltimore, which I know still holds a special place in your heart.

Others have benefited, and will continue to benefit, from Paul’s contributions. He has taught political science, American government, public administration, and public policy at academic institutions such as the University of Southern Colorado, Burlington County College, and the prestigious Rutgers University.

In a holiday note to Paul just a few days ago, I told him that while I was not looking forward to his retirement, I was looking forward to being here at this celebratory event. I wanted to be here because:

First, I want to extend my sincere appreciation to my friend on behalf of the Secretary, the Deputy Secretary, EDA staff, and the American people for Paul’s 40 or so years of public service and commitment to growing the economic health of America’s regions.

Second, I want to express my gratitude for Paul’s contribution to EDA as an organization. Any organization begins with its people, and as the life lessons of Gerald Ford remind us, without good people dealing in good faith, striving toward a common purpose, an organization cannot succeed. EDA has succeeded despite our challenges and, Paul, you are no small part of our organizational success.

Third, I want to thank Paul for his friendship. I’ve been at the Commerce Department for 5 years now; Assistant Secretary for a year. One of my first assignments was to visit the Philadelphia EDA office, and from that moment, I had a friend in Paul Raetsch. Paul’s openness, candor, fair-dealing, and diplomatic skills made him a pleasure work with as a colleague, and will continue to make him a valued friend in the future.

In show business, they say the key is to “leave them wanting more.” Today’s tribute clearly shows that Paul Raetsch is retiring with the economic development community clearly wanting more. Paul closes this particular chapter of his successful career with the gratitude of countless people, including myself.

It has been my pleasure to be here today to wish you, Paul, and Betty, a wonderful next chapter of your lives. But it is an even greater pleasure to count you as a friend and to know that that friendship will endure for many years to come.

Happy retirement to Paul and Betty, and happy New Year to you all.

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