[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 206 (Monday, December 7, 2020)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1095-E1096]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          IN HONOR OF IAN BAIN

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. JACKIE SPEIER

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Monday, December 7, 2020

  Ms. SPEIER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Redwood City 
councilmember and former mayor Ian Bain as he leaves the city council 
after 17 years of continuous service, and nearly 18 years in all. It's 
been an extraordinary time of change for his city, and Ian helped shape 
much of the transformation.
  In the past decade, Redwood City grew by nearly 10,000 persons, or 12 
percent, and by nearly 21 percent since Ian first sat as a 
councilmember in the late 1990's. Twenty-first century buildings have 
replaced their 20th century predecessors, and in at least one instance 
a 19th century home was moved to a new location as acres of new 
construction commenced. Locals noted that crows fled the area while 
cranes--aerial cranes with steel swinging from cables--were spotted 
throughout downtown.
  Ian Bain was a councilmember who cautioned colleagues that major 
change is hard on longtime residents. He was right. While the city 
rushed to meet the demands for office space related to the economic 
boom, and for housing that would temper skyrocketing rents, Ian noted 
that the effort was falling short for renters. As developers asked for 
approvals, Ian insisted that the developments work for all city 
residents.
  Today, with the city and our nation in pandemic slow motion, it 
outwardly appears that pressure to grow is less. In fact, it's only 
delayed. Some of the solutions to our pandemic are being developed by 
rapidly growing companies located in Redwood City and throughout San 
Mateo County. These companies will need offices for researchers and 
housing for them and their families.
  On one Superbowl Sunday, I stood with Ian Bain on a levee in the 
middle of an inland sea, with the Administrator of the Environmental 
Protection Agency, as Ian and I argued against housing being built in 
the bay. Regrettably, the agency decided to abandon its protection of 
the waters of the United States. The United States District Court 
subsequently found EPA's action in violation of the law. Ian has been 
steadfast in his opposition to filling San Francisco Bay.
  As a member of the revenue and finance committee, he fought to ensure 
that expansion of Redwood City is accompanied by prudent city 
financing. The city has unfunded pension liabilities and Ian is quick 
to note that its infrastructure needs major renovations. For both 
environmental and fiscal reasons, Ian led the city's effort to reduce 
its use of electricity by 22 percent and of natural gas by 34 percent. 
Homeowners in Friendly Acres and residents in mobile home parks on the 
east side of Highway 101 have Ian to thank, in part, as the city closes 
in on a solution to regular flooding in their areas.

[[Page E1096]]

  Throughout Redwood City, you see humorous signs advising you to slow 
down and to consider the cost of a traffic ticket. You'll notice new 
stop signs and physical changes to historically dangerous 
intersections. If you trip over a crack in a defective sidewalk, don't 
blame Ian. He fought very hard for repairs. Ian is a lover of all 
things pedestrian and bicycle friendly.
  He served as a board member of the Sequoia Awards where he and others 
annually provide tens of thousands of dollars to high achieving, 
socially active young people going to college. In a prior career, he 
helped find jobs for adults with disabilities and he is an active 
member of the Chamber of Commerce. His council responsibilities include 
service on the personnel committee, transportation and mobility 
committee, and regional boards including Peninsula Clean Energy and the 
C/CAG bicycle and pedestrian advisory committee.
  Ian Bain is a graduate of the University of California at Berkeley 
and has a Bachelor's in Political Science. He is married to Robbie 
Moffat. They live in the Woodside Plaza area of Redwood City.
  Madam Speaker, Ian Bain has been an outstanding leader in Redwood 
City for close to two decades and I have thoroughly enjoyed working 
with him. His community is losing a longtime civic leader and an 
activist. I wish him well and know that his talents will always be 
directed toward helping the city that he loves.

                          ____________________