[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 147 (Wednesday, October 16, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1519-E1520]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        HONORING BILL ROSENDAHL

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JULIA BROWNLEY

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, October 16, 2013

  Ms. BROWNLEY of California. Mr. Speaker, today, I rise to recognize 
Bill Rosendahl, a tireless advocate for the City of Los Angeles and a 
deserving recipient of the Valley Democrats United Badge of Courage 
Award.
  From 2005 until 2013, Bill was a public servant in the City of Los 
Angeles and demonstrated an unwavering commitment to the priorities of 
the city and its people.
  Bill has always been a champion of the issues that matter most in his 
community. Serving the areas of Pacific Palisades, Playa Del Rey, Playa 
Vista, Venice, Mar Vista, Brentwood, Del Rey, West Los Angeles and 
Westchester, he has been instrumental in providing affordable housing, 
supporting neighborhood empowerment initiatives, finding innovative 
solutions to remedy the city's traffic problems, and was always a 
champion of government transparency.
  During his term as District 11 Councilmember, Bill always ensured 
that he pushed for projects and investments that truly helped the 
communities he served. In Del Rey, he helped to restore the USPS mail 
delivery service to Mar Vista Gardens and worked with Caltrans to 
address residents' concerns with highway widening plans. In West Los 
Angeles, Bill's commitment to keep kids out of gangs resulted in the 
establishment of a youth intervention program at Stoner Recreation 
Center. Bill also supported a community-friendly modernization of Los 
Angeles International Airport (LAX).
  As a veteran himself, Bill has advocated for and championed numerous 
projects that serve veterans in the region. Most notably, he supported 
the construction of the Fisher House in Brentwood to serve families of 
wounded veterans. Bill also took on the challenge of providing 
sustainable housing and resources for the thousands of homeless 
veterans.
  During the course of his career, Bill has helped his constituency 
with the installation of countless stop signs and traffic signals and 
the repavement of dozens of roads and streets. Additionally, he oversaw 
the completion of several large city projects and secured

[[Page E1520]]

funding to help the city and residents of Los Angeles.
  His career and life have always been centered on the ideals of 
positive change for Los Angeles. As the first openly gay man elected to 
the Los Angeles City Council, he serves as an inspiration to others and 
has set an important precedent for other gay leaders to run for office.
  I have personally known Bill for many years and I can say that he is 
an individual who exemplifies compassion, optimism and dedication to 
public service. His leadership and charisma have created a needed forum 
for public dialogue and community exchange for which Angelinos will be 
forever grateful.
  Valley Democrats United is honoring Bill for his ``conviction, 
courage, and integrity'' as an advocate for the homeless, tenants, LGBT 
rights, and innovative transit solutions. He is also being recognized 
for his public service and for empowering people through the media. I 
am pleased to join with the Valley Democrats United in honoring, my 
friend, Bill Rosendahl.

                          ____________________