[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 177 (Tuesday, December 8, 2015)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1735]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   IN RECOGNITION OF MICHAEL SALAZAR

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. JACKIE SPEIER

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, December 8, 2015

  Ms. SPEIER. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor Michael Salazar for his six 
years of service on the San Bruno City Council, the last year as Vice 
Mayor. I came to know Michael during his first year on the council when 
a horrendous tragedy killed eight residents and destroyed a 
neighborhood in the city he represented. Michael rose to the 
unthinkable challenges related to the PG&E gas pipeline explosion of 
2010 and helped guide the city through the aftermath.
  Michael served on the council subcommittee on schools, on the 
subcommittee on utilities and garbage, and he represented San Bruno on 
the county's Peninsula Clean Energy Advisory Board. He also served on 
the council committee known as Project Pride. The committee's goal is 
to instill in San Bruno residents a feeling of pride about the 
community by increasing communication between ever-larger numbers of 
San Bruno residents. San Bruno is a wonderful community, and the city's 
focus on community spirit is an important objective of the council.
  During his time on the council, Michael Salazar was also instrumental 
in establishing the guidelines for the San Bruno Community Foundation, 
a non-profit created by the City Council to manage a $70 million 
restitution fund to benefit the entire San Bruno community after the 
PG&E explosion. Establishing this independent non-profit allows the 
city to engage very large numbers of residents in setting goals and 
building more community benefits that will last for decades. Michael 
has encouraged residents to let their voices be heard before the board 
of the nonprofit, and to actively engage in helping to set priorities.
  On every issue that came before the council, Michael showed deep 
understanding and commitment to the best possible outcome. Councilman 
Salazar works in technology, biotechnology and finance, and has done so 
for over two decades. The council and the residents benefited greatly 
from his years of experience in the private sector. He was exhaustive 
in his examination of the city's budgets, and encouraged city staff to 
explore new ways to deliver city services.
  There have been many difficult issues confronted in the remarkable 
community of San Bruno during the time that Michael served on the 
council. These include but are not limited to downtown height limits, 
grade separating Caltrain, dealing with the aftermath of the 2010 gas 
pipeline explosion, reducing city expenditures during the recession, 
and identifying priorities and funding mechanisms for the replacement 
of aging public infrastructure. Michael was unfailingly respectful 
towards his colleagues and the public during these long conversations.
  San Bruno is a city that pays special attention to children, and it 
has many active houses of worship. Michael coached several youth sports 
leagues, such as Tee Ball, Jr. Giants Baseball and AYSO Soccer. He has 
been very active in the schools and at Saint Robert's Catholic Church 
where he serves as a Eucharistic minister, helped with a children's 
liturgy group and served as a member of the social concerns committee. 
As a longtime board member of St. Robert's and chairman of the parish 
festival, he volunteered many hours of his time. He also regularly 
participates in San Bruno's Building Together projects and the annual 
Clean Sweep event.
  Michael was born in San Francisco and holds a Bachelor's degree in 
Aerospace Engineering from California Polytechnic State University at 
San Luis Obispo and a Master of Business Administration degree from the 
University of Rochester, New York.
  Michael and his wife, Sandra, have been married for 18 years and have 
two sons, Michael and Nicholas.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask the House of Representatives to rise with me to 
honor my good friend and colleague Michael Salazar. I deeply admire and 
respect him for his integrity, diligence and commitment to others. As 
an unfailingly polite voice during times of challenge, he set the gold 
standard for patience when tried by circumstance. He will be missed but 
fondly remembered as he begins a new life of private endeavor after his 
distinguished years in service to his outstanding community of San 
Bruno.

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