[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 104 (Tuesday, July 7, 2015)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1008-E1009]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      IN RECOGNITION OF JIM HARDY

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. JACKIE SPEIER

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 7, 2015

  Ms. SPEIER. Mr. Speaker and members, I rise today to honor the 
departing City Manager of Foster City, Jim Hardy. He's had an 
extraordinary 34 years with the city, the last 21 years as City 
Manager. Jim leaves a legacy that is profound having joined the city 
just 10 years after it was incorporated. He is only the second City 
Manager ever hired by Foster City, following in the footsteps of his 
esteemed predecessor, Rick Wykoff.
  It is not quite fair to say that Foster City sits on San Francisco 
Bay. It's more correct to say that our beautiful bay envelops Foster 
City, and offers its residents a lifestyle that is, as Jim Hardy says, 
paradise. Boating, fishing, parks second-to-none, and excellent schools 
that compare to any in this nation--this is Foster City. Jim Hardy's 
role in stabilizing and growing this community was pivotal.
  The finances of the city and its predecessor agency were shaky for 
many years. Jim joined the city's staff as stability arrived, but the 
city and its councils have always made a strong balance sheet a top 
priority. As Jim has often noted, the city has wonderful public 
improvements but they are also on the bay, and they deteriorate 
rapidly. The roads need more care than most and the extensive pumping 
systems that fill and moderate Foster City's lagoons are expensive to 
maintain. The community rightfully deserves a first class police 
department, and all of these expenses have to be managed aggressively. 
Jim is the classic ``man with the green eyeshade'' who realizes that a 
community of sustained good living cannot exist unless the city's 
finances remain strong. As a consequence of his financial and community 
leadership, transformative public and private improvements have been 
accomplished during his years as City Manager.
  The Vintage Park Overcrossing was completed in 1992. A corporation 
yard project was finished in 1993. A lift station for water control 
purposes was finished in 1996. Upon entering Foster City, one is struck 
by its beautiful new library and civic center complex, completed in 
1999 and 2003, respectively. The Leo J. Ryan Amphitheater was completed 
in 2004, a water main extension in 2006, a teen center in 2010, and the 
widening of two major roads in 2013. The Foster Square development was 
finished this year. These are just a few of the many physical 
manifestations of Jim's leadership.
  However, the most important and enduring legacy of Jim is the way in 
which he created a cohesive team amongst city staff. Employees are 
encouraged to accept responsibility but to work as a team to meet the 
public's needs. As we know, public service can sometimes entail 
resolving contentious issues. Jim's decent, non-controversial approach 
to problem solving was a steady voice during many staff and council 
meetings.
  Jim is not the only leader in the Hardy family. His wife, Luisa, is 
also retiring from her career and the two of them will be able to spend 
more time with their four adult children, all employed in challenging 
positions, and with the Hardy-family grandchildren. The airlines are 
going to be seeing a lot of Jim and Luisa as they make their way back 
and forth between

[[Page E1009]]

Utah and the Bay Area over these next few years.
  Mr. Speaker and members, one of the highest compliments that we can 
pay to anyone leaving public life is to say that they served with 
honor. Jim Hardy did so. He was honest and fair in his dealings with 
the public, patient with his councils and dutiful towards their 
directions, mindful of his employees and their needs and conscious of 
setting the highest personal standard of propriety. There are no 
statues erected or brilliant orchestral compositions written to 
commemorate the ending of a distinguished career in local government. 
However, there are fond memories. Jim leaves thousands of these as he 
exits public service. These fond memories are themselves a type of ode 
to a life well led, and as enduring as any statue that we might erect. 
Now is the time to say thank you to Jim Hardy, a man called father, 
grandfather, leader and friend.

                          ____________________