[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 198 (Tuesday, December 5, 2017)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1657-E1658]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      IN RECOGNITION OF DAVID LIM

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. JACKIE SPEIER

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, December 5, 2017

  Ms. SPEIER. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor David Lim for his eight 
years of outstanding service on the San Mateo City Council and as mayor 
in 2013 and 2017. David's dedication to

[[Page E1658]]

justice and his community have informed his leadership on important 
issues such as social justice, public safety, infrastructure, 
education, diversity and the environment. I've had the occasion to work 
with David on one of the most pressing challenges in our region, the 
housing crisis. David is a true champion of his middle class 
constituents and has showed great courage in forthrightly addressing 
the thorny issues of affordable rental housing.
  David was first elected to the council in 2009, at the height of the 
Great Recession. He instantly became a very active member of the 
council, helping guide the city of San Mateo through a difficult and 
long recovery process. He always encouraged input from residents and 
was driven by a dedication to being fair and to making the best 
decision.
  Serving in a booming economy also proved challenging. As wave after 
wave of new high-earning tech and biotech workers arrived, escalating 
rents and skyrocketing housing prices undermined the stability of long-
time low- and middle-income residents. Justice-minded and seeking to 
maintain the socio-economic and racial diversity of the region, David 
represented all residents. He pulled landlords, tenants and regional 
anti-displacement experts into conversations to develop solutions to 
the affordability crisis. David pushed the city to do more to support 
low-income workers and advocated for increasing the minimum wage.
  As a young parent himself, David is an educator at heart. Coaching 
high school mock trial teams and advocating for local students and 
schools, David wants all children to attend safe schools and to receive 
a good education. When he learned that immigrant families needed 
translation services in order to understand the enrollment process he 
pushed local school districts to take action. David never stops turning 
problems into creative solutions.
  He also worked to improve San Mateo's environmental stewardship. 
David has succeeded in his goal to leave the city better than he found 
it. While on the council he helped launch the Sustainability Commission 
which has reduced the use of plastic bags and Styrofoam containers.
  David was raised in Southern California where he attended local 
public schools. He earned his Bachelor's degree in Political Science 
and his Master's degree in Education from UCLA. For two years, he 
taught history at a middle school in LA but then moved to Washington, 
D.C. to work for Congressman Bob Matsui of Sacramento. In 1999, he 
returned to the Bay Area and pursued his law degree from the University 
of California, Hastings College of the Law. As a young Bay Area 
district attorney, married with young twin daughters, he searched for a 
community to call home. In 2001, he moved to San Mateo, the town where 
his grandfather, whose father had emigrated from China to San 
Francisco's Chinatown, had once been a household servant.
  David and his wife Terri continue to live in San Mateo with their 
three children, Caroline, Katherine and Harrison.
  Today, San Mateo is one of the most diverse communities in the 
country. David was the first Asian American to be elected to the city 
council and his cultural sensitivity has been an invaluable asset to 
the city. He believes some of the best ideas and fresh perspectives 
come from young people. At public meetings that can last late into the 
evening, David has been known to rearrange the speakers cards--with 
public approval, of course--so that school-aged residents can address 
the council and get home to complete their schoolwork. In even small 
ways, David is always focused on making life better for his 
constituents.
  Mr. Speaker, I admire David Lim greatly and ask the members of the 
House of Representatives to rise with me to recognize a remarkable 
public servant, devoted husband and father, and tireless advocate for 
others. While he is leaving the council, I have no doubt that he will 
continue to contribute to his beloved community for many years to come.

                          ____________________