[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 183 (Tuesday, December 8, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2917]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        IN APPRECIATION OF REDWOOD CITY COUNCILMAN JIM HARTNETT

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JACKIE SPEIER-

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, December 8, 2009

  Ms. SPEIER. Madam Speaker, Redwood City, California said good-bye to 
one of its most effective leaders when Councilman Jim Hartnett retired 
from public service this month.
  Jim Hartnett is a story of ``local boy makes good.'' Raised in 
Redwood City, he attended Mount Carmel School, Sequoia High School and 
Canada College. The son of a long-time captain in the San Mateo County 
Sheriff's Office, Jim grew up well-versed in local issues and with a 
passion for public service. He, too, is passing on this tradition to 
his sons, Josh and Jake, and daughters, Julia and Lydia, all of whom 
have grown up in the city that Jim loves so much.
  Anyone who has attended a Council meeting in Redwood City over the 
past fifteen years has witnessed Councilman Hartnett's intellect and 
ability to explain dry, complex issues in accessible language that 
everyone can understand. Equally important to thinking clearly is a 
public official's willingness to take the lead on contentious issues. 
Councilman Hartnett was never timid about speaking his mind and his 
constituents always knew where he stood. I have had the privilege of 
working with Jim on numerous thorny topics over the years and found him 
to be, not only quick to grasp the issues, but equally effective at 
developing solutions. His leadership will be sorely missed.
  Prior to being elected to the City Council, Jim served on the city's 
Planning Commission and Charter Review Committee. He has also served as 
chair of the Housing and Human Concerns Committee and the San Mateo 
County Business Development Commission and was President of the Redwood 
City Chamber of Commerce.
  Madam Speaker, Mr. Hartnett has given much to the community where he 
was raised. He has dedicated decades of his life to improving Redwood 
City and San Mateo County and for that, deserves our thanks. While he 
is retiring from office, I know that Jim Hartnett will not wander far. 
He will certainly continue his involvement with Redwood City Little 
League and other youth activities and will very likely be pressed into 
service in other ways by his wife, current Redwood City Mayor Rosanne 
Foust.