[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 11 (Thursday, January 22, 2015)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E107]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     IN RECOGNITION OF ROBERT ROSS

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. JACKIE SPEIER

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, January 22, 2015

  Ms. SPEIER. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor Robert Ross, a successful 
business owner, exceptional law enforcement officer and dedicated 
public servant who is retiring from the San Mateo City Council after 
five years of service. He was the Mayor in 2014 and Deputy Mayor in 
2013. Robert is a genuine, hard-working and deeply committed city 
council member and will truly be missed.
  Robert was first elected to the council in 2009 after a 27-year-
career as a police officer in San Mateo. His experience in law 
enforcement made security and sustainability one of his priorities for 
the city. As a real estate agent for 25 years, Robert also brought 
substantial business experience to the Council, guiding the city toward 
financial stability.
  While on the Council, Robert served on the City Council Audit and 
Budget Committee, the City Council Legislative Committee, the Community 
Development Department Audit Committee, the Grand Boulevard Task Force, 
the North B Street Improvement Initiative and the Planning Commission. 
In addition, he was very active in the Association of Bay Area 
Governments, the League of California Cities, San Mateo County Council 
of Cities, the San Mateo-Foster City Elementary School Board, the San 
Mateo Oversight Board, the San Mateo Union High School District Board, 
the Sister City Association and the South Bayside Waste Management 
Authority.
  Robert received his Police Officers Standard & Training at the 
Modesto College Police Academy and his BSBA in Business Administration 
from the University of Phoenix. He started his law enforcement career 
as a police officer in Hayward in 1979 and transferred to the San Mateo 
Police Department in 1981 where he rose through the ranks to Police 
Lieutenant in 2003. His professionalism and proactive approach have 
been recognized and he has been commended on numerous occasions. For 
example, in the late 1980s, then Corporal Ross was in charge of setting 
up a task force to fight drug crimes in San Mateo. The group became 
known a ``Ross' Raiders'' and their effective anti-drug campaign was 
lauded by the City Council, San Mateo County Board of Supervisors, the 
District Attorney, the San Mateo County Trial Lawyers Association and 
the late Congressman Tom Lantos.
  Among the many awards Robert received was a Lieutenant's Commendation 
for proactive policing, the San Carlos/Belmont Exchange Club Officer of 
the Year Award, Employee of the Quarter by past Police Chief Don Phipps 
for ongoing leadership and proactive policing, the Trial Lawyers 
Association's Police Officer of the Year Award, the Peninsula Lions 
Club's Police Award for outstanding service to the community, the 
Gordon Joinville Special Merit Award for day-to-day excellence in 
policing, and the Medal of Honor, the Police Department's highest award 
for saving a life during a fire.
  Whether in his capacity as a city council member, a peace officer, a 
small business owner or a San Mateo resident, Robert has always seized 
opportunities to help his community. He has given countless 
presentations at our schools to help troubled and underprivileged 
youths find a positive direction in their lives. He has visited homes 
of at-risk youth gang members during the holidays handing out presents. 
He has worked with the Peninsula Conflict Resolution Center and the 
Tongan Interfaith Council to prevent and solve conflicts. He has worked 
with Samaritan House to assist needy families. He is a member of the 
San Mateo Lion's Club which supports local and international charities.
  It is obvious from this long list of accomplishments and engagements 
that Robert Ross has a heart of gold and an inexhaustible drive to help 
others. Because of his vision and commitment, San Mateo is a better 
place. I feel privileged to count Robert as a friend and colleague and 
wish him well as he shifts his focus to his personal and family life.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask the House of Representatives to rise with me to 
recognize the lasting contributions Robert Ross has made while serving 
as Mayor, City Councilmember and law enforcement officer. He will 
always be a role model and inspiration to his fellow San Mateo 
residents.

                          ____________________