[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 172 (Thursday, December 5, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1806]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                              MASUD MEHRAN

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. NANCY PELOSI

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, December 5, 2013

  Ms. PELOSI. Mr. Speaker, last week, our community lost a great civic 
leader, a true American success story and a pillar of the San Francisco 
Bay Area: Masud Mehran. He passed away on November 26th, at the age of 
93, surrounded, as he always was throughout his long life, by his 
family, by those he loved, by those he cherished most.
  Masud Mehran lived the American Dream. He was an immigrant who came 
with his wife, Maryam, to the United States from Iran in search of 
opportunity. He got an education from some of our finest universities 
and traveled across our country. He made his way to the Bay Area, to 
the region that would be his home for more than 60 years, and started a 
business. And over the ensuing decades, he built Sunset Development 
Company into one of the largest, most successful real estate developers 
in California.
  For Masud, extraordinary success in business was not enough; his 
values, his heritage, and his conscience drove him to do more--for our 
community, for our young people, for our state and nation.
  Beyond his extensive leadership roles among associations of home 
builders and developers in San Francisco and statewide, Masud's 
generosity could be seen in his support for the health of our youth at 
Children's Hospital; the development of our children in the Boy Scouts 
of America; the education of our students at Golden Gate University, 
Dominican College, UC Berkeley, and elsewhere.
  His efforts were recognized with the Good Scout award for outstanding 
leadership in helping to build a better American community; the 
Democratic Heritage award from the Anti-Defamation League; and the 
Award of Excellence from the Urban Land Institute for Large-Scale 
Office Park Development.
  All who knew him will long be inspired by his leadership, his values, 
his strength, and his willingness to give back to those around him. His 
legacy can be found in the impact of his philanthropy and the example 
he set for so many others in the Bay Area and nationwide. Yet no 
legacy--in business or in community activism--could ever compare to the 
extraordinary pride he always took in his family.
  Devotion to his family was Masud's first priority. Dedication to his 
loved ones was his defining characteristic. Spending time with his 
wife, Farideh, his son, Alex, and his grandchildren was his greatest 
joy. He will certainly be missed by all who knew and loved him.
  May it be a comfort to the entire Mehran family that so many share in 
their grief and mourn along their side at this sad time. May Masud 
Mehran's life and memory forever be a blessing to us all.

                          ____________________