[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 110 (Monday, September 18, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1502]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   TRIBUTE TO SUPERVISOR MARY GRIFFIN

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. ANNA G. ESHOO

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, September 18, 2000

  Ms. ESHOO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a proud American and 
distinguished Californian, Supervisor Mary Griffin, on the occasion of 
her retirement from the San Mateo County, California Board of 
Supervisors.
  Mary Griffin began her public service career in 1976 when she was 
elected to the Millbrae City Council. She served two terms as Mayor of 
Millbrae, from 1980 to 1981 and from 1984 to 1985. Mary Griffin 
continued her service to the people of Millbrae until she was elected 
to the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors in 1987. In 1988 and 1992, 
Mary served as Vice President of the Board, and in 1989 and 1993 she 
served as President of the Board.
  Mary Griffin has represented San Mateo County as a member of the 
Association of Bay Area Governments which works to solve problems in 
such diverse areas as transportation, housing, economic development, 
and infrastructure. Her leadership skills led to her being elected Vice 
President and President of ABAG in 1989 and 1991. She has worked on 
numerous Commissions to improve the state of transportation in San 
Mateo County, including the San Mateo County Transportation Authority 
Board, the Service Authority for Freeways & Expressways, the Regional 
Airport Planning Commission, and the Metropolitan Transportation 
Commission.
  Supervisor Mary Griffin is known for her dedicated work on issues 
relating to aviation and the airports of San Mateo County. She is a 
representative on the Airport/Community Roundtable where she was 
instrumental in securing $650,000 in federal funds to insulate 45 homes 
against airport noise generated by San Francisco International Airport. 
She has also served as a member of the Airport Land Use Committee which 
addresses airport and land use compatibility for the Half Moon Bay 
Airport, the San Carlos Airport, and San Francisco International 
Airport.
  Supervisor Mary Griffin has worked tirelessly on behalf of the 
children of San Mateo County, improving services and programs on their 
behalf. As the child of a widow who worked for minimum wage, Mary 
Griffin has been unswerving in her advocacy to ensure that every child 
receives good healthcare, childcare and an improved quality of life. In 
1987 she founded the Share-a-Bear Program which benefits abused and 
neglected children. She founded and chairs the Children's Executive 
Council, a first in San Mateo County history.
  Mary Griffin is the loving wife of Walter Ramseur, a retired United 
Airlines Pilot. They are the proud parents of three and grandparents of 
four. Mary Griffin is widely admired for her boundless energy, her 
effective work and her broad knowledge of every aspect of local 
government.
  Supervisor Mary Griffin's life of community leadership and public 
service is instructive to us all. Her dedication to the ideals of 
democracy and community service stands tall. It is therefore fitting 
that she is being honored on the occasion of her retirement from the 
San Mateo County Board of Supervisors. So today, Mr. Speaker, I ask my 
colleagues, to join me in honoring this great and good woman whom I'm 
proud to call my friend and my colleague. We are indeed a better 
County, a better Country and a better people because of her.

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