[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 135 (Friday, October 12, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1696]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     IN RECOGNITION OF MICHAEL GARB

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. JACKIE SPEIER

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, October 12, 2012

  Ms. SPEIER. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor Michael Garb for his 20 
years of service as the CEO and board member of StarVista, an 
outstanding non-profit organization in San Mateo County that transforms 
the lives of children, youths, adults and families. Michael embraces 
StarVista's philosophy that building strong and healthy communities 
begins with helping each individual to develop his or her own path to 
personal growth. The organization serves over 34,000 residents of San 
Mateo County every year, providing counseling, prevention, early 
intervention and education resources.
  Michael was named Chief Executive Officer of StarVista in May 2008. 
He served on the board of directors for two decades, long before Youth 
and Family Assistance and Family and Community Enrichment Services 
merged in 2003 to become StarVista--a process he oversaw. The merger 
revitalized the organization, broadened its services, increased 
awareness of its programs, strengthened its branding, and increased 
both collaboration with other agencies and revenue. In short, more 
people now benefit from better services.
  Under Michael's leadership the Bridge to Success Initiative was 
launched to expand programs for early childhood, family and youth. 
StarVista and the Silicon Valley Community Foundation brought together 
20 partners, including school districts, preschools, non-profits, 
agencies, and the San Mateo County Office of Education, to help 
children in eight school districts.
  The Youth Development Initiative, launched in 2011, has attracted 
diverse groups of youth and adults who learn to make their voices heard 
and become strong and contributing members of the community.
  Jewish Family and Children's Services incorporated their Early 
Childhood Mental Health Programs into StarVista's array of services in 
2012 to improve childcare and healthy childhood development.
  StarVista's Women's Enrichment Center program was the first outside 
program to be selected to work with the County AOD and Mental Health 
departments to implement electronic medical records software that will 
eventually be used throughout the county.
  Michael was born in Newark, New Jersey. He earned his BA in 
accounting from Bloomfield College.
  He was on the school board of the Belmont-Redwood Shores School for 
eight years, two of them as president, on the 2-1-1 Steering Committee, 
the Community Health Reform Advocacy Committee, the Peninsula 
Partnership Leadership Council, and the Belle Haven Community School 
Executive Team.
  In his well deserved retirement, Michael is looking forward to 
spending more time with wife of 44 years, Judy, their daughter Mindy 
Shelton and son Dave Garb and their four grandchildren.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask the House of Representatives to rise with me to 
honor Michael Garb who has turned StarVista into a smooth-running and 
highly respected agency that touches young and old lives every day.
  San Mateo County is a better place for all of us because of Michael's 
vision, work and commitment to our community.

                          ____________________