[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 24 (Thursday, February 14, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E159-E160]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          HONORING PAT GILARDI

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. MIKE THOMPSON

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, February 14, 2013

  Mr. THOMPSON of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor and 
thank Pat Gilardi for her many years of visionary leadership on the 
Cotati City Council, as she is stepping down from her Council duties to 
accept a position in county government. Ms. Gilardi has been an 
outstanding leader for the City of Cotati during her 15 years of 
service, and her hard work and dedication is reflected in the many 
projects and improvements she nurtured and brought to fruition during 
that time.
  The city and people of Cotati have benefited immensely from Ms. 
Gilardi's contributions since the start of her career in public service 
in 1997, when she was appointed to the Cotati Planning Commission. 
Among the numerous projects Ms. Gilardi spearheaded was the Multi Modal 
Transit Village, now known as the Santero Way Specific Plan.
  Ms. Gilardi would go on to be selected from a large group of 
applicants to fill a vacancy on the Cotati City Council in October 
2000. She was elected to her first full term in November 2002. She was 
reelected in 2006 and 2010, and she was selected as Mayor in both 2006 
and 2008. Ms. Gilardi has worked to guide the City of Cotati to fiscal 
sustainability, strong environmental policy, transportation 
alternatives, and quality community services.
  In addition to her service on the city council, Ms. Gilardi served on 
a number of commissions and boards in Sonoma County, including her time 
as the Director of the Sonoma County Transportation Authority (SCTA) 
and Regional Climate Protection Authority (RCPA). While a member of the 
Board at SCTA, Ms. Gilardi represented the City of Cotati's interests 
for the Highway 101 widening project and other transportation related 
issues including securing funds, project oversight and long-term 
planning.
  In addition to her public service, Ms. Gilardi is also the co-founder 
of the 4-H Club of Cotati, a former two-term president of her local 
Parent Teacher Association, and sat on the Board of Directors for the 
Cotati According Festival.

[[Page E160]]

  Mr. Speaker, it is appropriate at this time that we thank Ms. Gilardi 
for her invaluable service to the City of Cotati and for the numerous 
projects she has overseen and led to completion. Her exemplary 
leadership has left a legacy for our community that will extend far 
into the future as she moves on to her new role with the County of 
Sonoma.

                          ____________________