[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 194 (Monday, December 10, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1628-E1629]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   IN RECOGNITION OF CAMERON JOHNSON

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. JACKIE SPEIER

                             of califronia

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, December 10, 2018

  Ms. SPEIER. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor Cameron Johnson, a departing 
member of the San Carlos City Council. Cameron Johnson has served four 
years and made an indelible impact during his service as Mayor, 
Councilman and presently as Vice Mayor.
  He will be remembered in part for his advocacy on behalf of local 
merchants on Laurel Street, and against chain stores populating this 
treasured shopping district. Thanks to Vice Mayor Johnson, there will 
be space for local residents to establish their own businesses, to 
offer unusual items and services, and to keep the charm of small town 
San Carlos alive.
  Vice Mayor Johnson successfully advocated for a community foundation 
to be established from the proceeds of a legal penalty paid by PG&E. 
The foundation will allow the city to reliably fund community events 
and projects, through good times and bad, for decades to come.
  During his time in service, the council adopted a downtown parking 
plan, saw the beginning of the long-planned Wheeler Plaza project and 
the construction of the transit village around the Caltrain station. 
Like his colleagues, he contributed greatly by serving on the important 
boards and commissions that make crucial recommendations to the council 
or regional bodies about the quality of life in San Carlos. These 
include the San Mateo County Transportation Authority, the ABAG General 
Assembly, Peninsula Clean Energy, and council sub-committees such as 
the shuttle sub-committee, the bond sub-committee, the economic 
development sub-committee, and the 2+2 City/school district sub-
committee.
  He is a strong advocate for affordable housing and of ensuring that 
homeowners can use their property to meet the growing needs of their 
family. He recognizes that keeping the character of San Carlos involves 
more than preserving any given structure, but instead entails keeping 
opportunity alive in San Carlos for all generations that make this 
small town their home.
  During his tenure, San Carlos was hit by a wave of burglaries. 
Cameron Johnson's explanations of police activities and his support of 
the public during council study sessions maintained public trust in the 
efforts of the sheriff's office to end the burglaries.
  While he was part of a team effort to maintain the public's trust 
during this trying time, Cameron Johnson went out of his way to explain 
police activities while also holding the police accountable to resolve 
the problem.
  As a councilmember, Cameron excelled in his communications to 
residents. His charts

[[Page E1629]]

and verbal explanations of public policy were clear and built 
credibility in all public services. He strongly supported the periodic 
newsletter sent to all residents, explaining new initiatives around 
town. He readily stood at the farmer's market and answered questions 
from the public. In all these communications, it may help that Cameron 
Johnson is also the Director of Product Innovation for Netflix. Indeed, 
one can readily imagine a primetime television show based upon his 
public service experience: The Real Councilmembers of San Carlos, 
featuring Bruce Willis as Mayor Bob Grassilli and Justin Timberlake as 
Vice Mayor Cameron Johnson. Admittedly, this is not likely to produce 
blockbuster ratings around the country, but there may be a block or two 
in San Carlos where the series would be a big hit.
  In closing, the people of San Carlos owe Cameron Johnson a 
significant vote of thanks for his efforts to improve their lives. He 
saw a challenge and seized it with both hands, at least when his hands 
were not otherwise holding his two children, Josephine and Ellis. We 
must also thank his wife, Celina, for her patience as he contributed to 
the community. It has been my pleasure to watch Vice Mayor Johnson 
become an outstanding leader in San Carlos and I count him as a 
personal friend. He will now leave the council, but his smile, facile 
mind, and goodwill will be remembered for many years to come.

                          ____________________