[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 177 (Tuesday, December 8, 2015)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1727]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      IN RECOGNITION OF ART KIESEL

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. JACKIE SPEIER

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, December 8, 2015

  Ms. SPEIER. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor Art Kiesel for his eight 
years of service on the Foster City City Council, twice as Mayor and 
twice as Vice Mayor. Foster City is losing an outstanding public 
servant and advocate for well-reasoned public policy, as well as a man 
widely known for his kindness and sense of humor.
  During his tenure, Art supported many city initiatives that were 
instrumental in shaping Foster City for the better for many years to 
come. The parks system was built out as Werder Park and Destination 
Park were completed this year. In 2014, the city's smoking ordinance 
was implemented. In recent years, the city entered into a fire 
management shared services model with San Mateo and Belmont, delivering 
operational efficiencies for residents while strengthening department 
performance. The city established a gatekeeper ordinance for 
development projects to create an early vetting process for large 
developments. It also added a synthetic softball/soccer field at 
Edgewater Park and a 15-acre site was sold and developed into the new 
Foster Square. Phase II of the Levee Pedway Repair project was 
completed in 2009 and in 2013 Phase III was finished. The city also 
installed a synthetic soccer/baseball field at Sea Cloud Park and a 
synthetic soccer field/walking track at Port Royal Park, all during 
Art's tenure on the council. The construction of the VIBE Teen Center, 
a favorite hangout for 6th-12th graders after school and on weekends, 
was also completed during Art's time on the council.
  The city is embarking on a multi-year effort to increase the height 
of the levee that protects Foster City, an urgent improvement in an era 
of rising seas. Art Kiesel has been a strong proponent of this project 
and of protecting his community for decades to come.
  Foster City has a reputation for outstanding financial management. 
Art and his colleagues on the council have delivered strong financial 
performance through times that were both good and bad. This stewardship 
earned the trust of residents, as was demonstrated when the voters 
approved Business License Tax Measure U and a 10% transient occupancy 
tax.
  It is important to note that serving on a city council is essentially 
a volunteer job. You would not recognize it as such when reviewing Art 
Kiesel's additional duties as a councilmember. He served on the 
Association of Bay Area Governments, the Legislative Committee of C/
CAG, the Airport Community Roundtable, the Council of Cities, the 
League of California Cities, the city's Audit Committee and Arts and 
Culture Committee, was a member of the Chamber of Commerce, and served 
as the council's liaison to the San Mateo Union High School District. 
Art Kiesel is basically the Eveready Energizer Bunny of city 
councilmembers.
  Art and his wife Janis have lived in Foster City for 24 years. They 
have two sons, Scott and John, and two granddaughters. Art is a third 
generation San Franciscan and was raised in the city until he was 
drafted into the U.S. Army in 1965.
  While Art has been a successful financial consultant for almost 30 
years with some of the largest businesses in the Bay Area as his 
clients, he has always made it a priority to serve the community. His 
civic engagement began in 2000 when he served on the Information 
Technology Advisory Committee for four years. He continued on the 
Traffic Review Committee and the Planning Commission. He graduated from 
the Foster City Citizens Police Academy in 2002 and the Community 
Emergency Response Team in 2007. His community involvement has been 
just as extensive as he has been involved with the Lions Club, Canine 
Companions for Independence and San Mateo 4-H Clubs for decades.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask the House of Representatives to rise with me to 
honor a great man, public servant and good friend. Art Kiesel stands 
for integrity, commitment and perseverance. He will be missed in Foster 
City's public life, but his contributions will make Foster City a 
stronger and more vibrant community for decades to come.

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