[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 130 (Friday, August 1, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1678]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 REMARKS IN RECOGNITION OF BARRY WEISS

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                          HON. JACKIE SPEIER-

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 31, 2008

  Ms. SPEIER. Madam Speaker, I would like to draw the attention of 
Congress to the passionate work and unparalleled leadership of Barry 
Weiss, who is retiring as Director of Parks and Recreation for the City 
of San Carlos.
  Under Barry's leadership, his department received more than two dozen 
state and local awards for facility design, park planning, economic 
development and programming. Barry, himself, is the recipient of 
numerous honors, including the Statewide Citation Award, Presidential 
Award and Achievement Award from the California Park and Recreation 
Society, Distinguished Alumni Award from California State University at 
Hayward and Outstanding Youth Sports Leader from the National Alliance 
for Youth Sports.
  Barry Weiss served as President of the California Park and Recreation 
Society in 2004-2005, where he shared his knowledge and expertise with 
others in his field on park planning and encouraging community 
involvement. Attesting to his success as a parks and recreation 
administrator, Barry is a highly sought-after lecturer on the subject, 
being invited to share his knowledge with professionals in Arizona, 
Washington, Michigan and all across California.
  Barry received his Bachelors Degree in Recreation and a Lifetime 
Teaching Credential in Social Science from California State University, 
Hayward. He is also a graduate of the Pacific Revenue Sources 
Management School in San Diego, and the Inter-Governmental Management 
Training Program, based in St. Helena, California.
  Madam Speaker, Barry Weiss is truly an innovator. He developed the 
first Parks Master Plan for San Carlos, built the first disabled-
inclusive playground in San Mateo County with 70 percent of features 
being accessible to children of all abilities and limitations, and was 
among the first to document the societal gains attributed to park 
construction and recreation programs. Some of these benefits to society 
include increased property values, reduced juvenile crime, increased 
academic performance and increased sales by downtown businesses.
  Along with the citizens of San Carlos, I am disappointed to see Barry 
go, but I am grateful for his service, his dedication to his community 
and the positive impact he has made on society.

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