[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 26 (Monday, February 9, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E221-E222]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      TRIBUTE TO SURLENE G. GRANT

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. FORTNEY PETE STARK

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Monday, February 9, 2009

  Mr. STARK. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Surlene 
Grant in honor of ten years of dedication to the community of San 
Leandro, California. On Friday, June 30, 2009, the San Leandro African 
American Business Council and Friends and Fans of Surlene Grant will 
honor Ms. Grant for her accomplishments and meritorious contributions.

[[Page E222]]

  She served as a San Leandro Council member from 1998-2008 including 
two terms as the City's Vice Mayor. Ms. Grant is the first person of 
non-European descent to be appointed or elected to the City Council in 
the City's 150 years. Originally appointed to the council in August 
1998, Ms. Grant was elected in November 2000, November 2004, and was 
appointed Vice Mayor in 2006 and 2007.
  Taking a leadership position in a historically closed and restrictive 
city, some civic leaders describe Ms. Grant as the change agent that 
lead to the creation of a city management team that has become more 
reflective of the diverse population of San Leandro, as well as paving 
the way for other African Americans to be elected to the City Council.
  Ms. Grant can point to numerous successes during her tenure on the 
San Leandro City Council. She worked with the community and staff in 
the development of the award-winning South Area Development Plan. She 
worked diligently with her colleagues for the adoption of an 
inclusionary housing policy, which sought to enhance the City's 
affordable housing policies, and also successfully spearheaded the 
passage of the Local Purchasing Ordinance. Ms. Grant also labored for 
removal of the word ``minority'' in city documents to facilitate 
inclusive opportunity for all. Ms. Grant is also responsible for the 
establishment of the African American Business Council and the Business 
Association of South San Leandro.
  She has served on numerous commissions, boards and advisory 
committees that include working as Chairperson of San Leandro's Finance 
Committee and as a member of the Business Development and Redevelopment 
Committee. She was formerly a member of the Alameda County Housing 
Authority Board of Commissioners and served as an alternate on the 
Alameda County Transportation Improvement Authority Board.
  Ms. Grant received her B.S. in Journalism from Northwestern 
University, Evanston, Illinois and a M.A. from John F. Kennedy 
University, Orinda, California.
  I join the community in recognizing Surlene Grant for her 
contributions that have ensured the quality of life in San Leandro's 
neighborhoods and the economic development and vitality of the city. We 
will miss her on the San Leandro Council but will continue to depend on 
her experience, sage advice and exemplary leadership.

                          ____________________