[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 206 (Monday, December 7, 2020)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1101]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  REMARKS BY REPRESENTATIVE JARED HUFFMAN HONORING MAYOR GARY PHILLIPS

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                           HON. JARED HUFFMAN

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Monday, December 7, 2020

  Mr. HUFFMAN. Madam Speaker, I rise today in recognition of Gary 
Phillips as he retires a distinguished tenure of public service as 
Mayor of the City of San Rafael.
  Mayor Phillips earned his undergraduate degree and Master of Business 
Administration from Humboldt State University. He applied his education 
throughout his professional career as a certified public accountant and 
business executive as well as an elected official. He and his wife 
Linda settled in San Rafael 48 years ago. They proceeded to raise a 
family and became committed to improving the quality of life for the 
residents of San Rafael.
  Mayor Phillips' first role as an elected official for the San Rafael 
community was as a member of the former Dixie School Board, where he 
served for eight years, including twice as president. He was elected to 
the City Council in 1994 and served three terms before retiring in 
2007. In 2011, he decided to run for Mayor when Mayor Al Boro retired 
after nearly 20 years of service. As an elected official, Mayor 
Phillips drew upon his business acumen, standing up for small 
businesses, working to improve education, and responding to the 
changing needs of the community.
  Over the years, Mayor Phillips developed a deep record for going to 
bat for San Rafael residents, demonstrating steady leadership through 
trying times. This includes navigating financial challenges, 
homelessness and housing, securing funding to improve fire service, and 
the challenges associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. At every critical 
moment Mayor Phillips has worked to provide the people of San Rafael 
with the support and resources they need. He is also known at City Hall 
for his ability to form consensus and adhere to principles, and for his 
thoughtful, hands-on approach to leadership--invaluable qualities in a 
mayor.
  It has been my pleasure to work closely with Mayor Phillips' on a 
number of key issues, including homelessness, gun violence reform, 
discrimination, and securing funds to dredge the San Rafael Canal. I 
have also had the pleasure of working with him in his role as Chair of 
the Sonoma-Marin Area Rail Transit (SMART) to find solutions for rail 
and multimodal transportation through the downtown.
  Mayor Gary Phillips has been an unwavering champion for his community 
across his nearly 30 years, and I am certain his public service is not 
complete. Madam Speaker, I respectfully ask that you join me in 
honoring him for his many positive contributions to the residents of 
San Rafael and the entire North Bay Area and in wishing him well in his 
next endeavors.

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