[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 195 (Tuesday, December 11, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1646]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




UPON THE OCCASION OF THE RETIREMENT OF LARRY PATTERSON, CITY MANAGER OF 
                               SAN MATEO

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. JACKIE SPEIER

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, December 11, 2018

  Ms. SPEIER. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor Larry Patterson as he 
departs his position of City Manager after 18 years of stellar service 
in that role and as Public Works Director for the residents of San 
Mateo. His retirement has been planned for a while, but this does not 
make his departure any easier for those of us who've known this man for 
decades.
  Larry has a reputation for taking on the toughest tasks of city 
governance. Thanks in great part to his efforts, the city's former 
racetrack, Bay Meadows, has been transformed into a 21st century hub of 
high technology, housing and transportation-related businesses. Where 
ponies once trotted, Survey Monkeys now play. While many councils and 
staff contributed to this transformation, the roads, sewers, water, and 
rail station placement were heavily influenced by the expert vision of 
Larry Patterson.
  San Mateo has several areas that flood. Larry was a champion of these 
residents through many years of heavy rains or drought. Every City 
Manager or Public Works Director must also be cognizant of the federal 
Clean Water Act and the responsibilities of the city under that law. In 
alliance with Foster City, Larry Patterson devoted countless hours to 
the development and construction of a $1 billion + wastewater treatment 
plant improvement project that will soon allow residents to comply with 
federal law and to protect our environment for decades to come.
  Some little boys really don't grow up, and Larry Patterson's interest 
in transportation--including trains and roads--illustrates that 
phenomenon wonderfully. Under Larry's stewardship, and in alliance with 
Caltrain, San Mateo replaced four rail bridges including one that had 
long given expensive haircuts to oversized trucks. During his tenure, 
the city began planning for the impacts ofhigh speed rail and brought 
the grade separation project at 25th Avenue into construction. The 
intersection of Highway 92 and El Camino Real was a proverbial gleam in 
the eye of most San Mateo leadership, but Larry Patterson pushed 
forward over years and ultimately, in alliance with his highly capable 
staff, created an interchange that replaced a confusing cloverleaf with 
a safe intersection that efficiently serves the entire county.
  Larry is not all about roads, bridges and rail. He's also a man of 
the people. San Mateo's Spanish-speaking residents increasingly have 
their voices heard in city hall because Larry began a program, in 
alliance with the San Mateo Adult School, to teach Spanish speakers in 
the city about city government. I should also note his service to the 
people of Half Moon Bay while on the City Council during the 1990's. It 
was an extraordinary time in that city's history. As a city manager 
Larry is, in effect, a ``two-fer'' for any city councilmember because 
he's walked in their shoes.
  In the past year or so, Larry embarked upon a special assignment, in 
part at my request. He leads a countywide effort to create a flood and 
sea level rise resilience district. This district, once formed, will 
permit San Mateo County to play in the big leagues by securing Army 
Corps and other federal and state funding. San Mateo County is ground 
zero in California for sea level rise. Larry waded into this difficult 
discussion so that future generations in San Mateo County would not 
have to wade across incoming tides to get to their homes and places of 
work.
  Mr. Speaker, San Mateo has been well served by Larry Patterson. He 
became City Manager at a time when the economy was accelerating, but he 
also worked as a senior manager during the darkest days of this 
nation's recession. He navigated public challenges brilliantly during 
his years with the city and has now earned a standing ovation for his 
good humor and great accomplishments across decades. He leaves behind a 
strong team and a grateful city council and community. He personifies 
the term public service. We wish Larry Patterson well in the years 
ahead. He is an outstanding leader, friend, and American.

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