[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 177 (Tuesday, December 8, 2015)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1730]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   IN RECOGNITION OF DAVID BRAUNSTEIN

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. JACKIE SPEIER

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, December 8, 2015

  Ms. SPEIER. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor David Braunstein for his 
eight years of service on the Belmont City Council, once as Mayor in 
2009 and again in 2015. Mayor Braunstein leaves with a distinguished 
legacy of service to the residents of Belmont.
  During his tenure on the council, he served as a member of the Joint 
Notre Dame de Namur and Belmont City Council committee, the city's 
audit committee, is the former chair of the library community task 
force, former chair of the library steering committee and former chair 
of the library bond committee. David Braunstein has also been a board 
member of the Center for Independence of the Disabled, and was a member 
of the city's economic development committee.
  Education is a core value in Belmont. David Braunstein is deeply 
committed to this value as evidenced by his career as a teacher at 
Carlmont High School and through his related council activities. While 
on the council, he has served as part of the city-school district 
committee known as 2 + 2 which identifies ways in which the district 
and city may collaborate to the benefit of Belmont residents.
  Belmont is a city filled with the joyful sounds of children laughing. 
Three of those children are Mayor Braunstein's: Isaac, Noah and Yakira. 
They attend Ralston Middle School and Fox Elementary School where David 
and his wife, Patricia, are actively involved in school life. Even 
though he is incredibly busy as Mayor and as a teacher, David 
Braunstein made time in his life to be an AYSO and Little League coach, 
and served as a volunteer football coach at Carlmont High School. For 
David Braunstein, kids count.
  Community building is in Mayor Braunstein's DNA. He has served on the 
National Night Out Planning Committee and helped to create one of the 
largest National Nights Out on the Peninsula. He is a tireless advocate 
to make our neighborhoods better and safer places, and served on the 
San Mateo County Emergency Services Council.
  During his time on the council, Mayor Braunstein has conducted 
himself in a collaborative manner, both with his council colleagues and 
elected officials from other cities. He is proud to have been part of 
purchase of Ralston Avenue Vista Point which offers incredible views. 
The city purchased 34 acres, sold some land, made a profit and was able 
to preserve open space.
  David was born in San Jose. He earned his Bachelor's degree in 
Political Science at UCLA and his Master's in Public Policy and 
Management at Carnegie Mellon University. He also holds a California 
Teacher Credential from San Francisco State University.
  After his retirement from the city council, David Braunstein is 
looking forward to spending more time with his family and watching his 
young children grow up. He is also hoping to find more time for travel, 
reading, cooking and photography--children's schedules permitting.
  Mr. Speaker, as the people of Belmont contemplate Mayor Braunstein's 
contribution to their well-being, they will recognize that he possessed 
superior leadership skills and leaves having accomplished his 
objective, and having set an outstanding example for his successors. I 
know the House of Representatives joins me in wishing him well in his 
future adventures.

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