[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 152 (Wednesday, October 12, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1820]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                       HONORING FARHAD MANSOURIAN

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. LYNN C. WOOLSEY

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, October 12, 2011

  Ms. WOOLSEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Marin County's 
departing Director of Pubic Works, Farhad Mansourian. After more than 
three decades of service to the County of Marin and seven years as 
Director of the Department of Public Works, Mr. Mansourian has 
demonstrated an unparalleled commitment to the people of Marin. His 
passion for managing public works initiatives has earned him the 
respect and admiration of colleagues across the North Bay. Mansourian 
moves on to a position as General Manager of the Sonoma-Marin Area Rail 
Transit (SMART) District, where his voice of experience will be 
instrumental in bringing our regional rail service to completion.
  Farhad Mansourian began his service with the County of Marin in 1980 
as a Junior Civil Engineer, gradually branching into new fields as he 
was promoted to administrative analyst, traffic operations engineer, 
road maintenance engineer, and eventually Assistant Director. In 2002, 
the Marin County Board of Supervisors named Mansourian Director of the 
Department of Public Works, putting him in charge of an agency with 
over 200 employees and an annual budget of roughly $80 million.
  Since that time, Mansourian has distinguished himself as the 
principal guardian of the County's infrastructure, including roads and 
bridges, flood control operations, hazardous waste systems, and public 
buildings. The County has turned to Mansourian every winter to keep an 
aging infrastructure functioning in the aftermath of heavy storms. The 
community turned to him in the event of emergencies like flooding or 
earthquakes many times. Mansourian also serves as Co-Commander of the 
Regional Urban Search and Rescue Task Force, which has provided 
assistance not only in the North Bay, but in other communities 
recovering from natural disasters, as far away as the Gulf Coast.
  In countless ways, Farhad Mansourian has been responsible for keeping 
our County functioning by facilitating environmental protection and 
economic development that ensure the safety of Marin County residents. 
I have found him to be a thoughtful, reliable, and expert partner when 
working together on these important issues.
  Over the past several years, Mansourian has also been a strong 
advocate for the SMART initiative linking the urban centers of the 
North Bay with a modem and environmentally responsible rail system. He 
was active in gathering support for the proposal and in achieving the 
overwhelming public support received for the bi-county ballot measure 
providing SMART funding. Mansourian's new role managing the SMART 
District is fitting for a man so committed to advancing the North Bay's 
vision for its future, while bridging its infrastructure needs with 
strong environmental priorities.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask you to join me in thanking Farhad Mansourian for 
his many contributions to Marin County. He represents an admirable 
model of public service, and we wish him the same success in his new 
endeavors.

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