[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 211 (Monday, December 14, 2020)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1140]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        IN HONOR OF MARK OLBERT

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. JACKIE SPEIER

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, December 14, 2020

  Ms. SPEIER. Madam Speaker, I rise to recognize the outstanding 
service of Mark Olbert as he departs the San Carlos City Council after 
nine years as a councilmember, two of them as Mayor. Mark also served 
10 years on the local school board. For a man who moved to San Carlos 
in 1997, he's spent a remarkable 19 of those 23 years in local elected 
office.
  Mark was raised in Dobbs Ferry, New York and obtained his bachelors 
in cell and molecular biology from the State University of New York at 
Buffalo, and his MBA from the Amos Tuck School at Dartmouth College. He 
went to work as a finance executive in the oil and gas industry and 
then transitioned to the world of biotechnology. After great success at 
Amgen, Mark moved to San Carlos to grab other brass rings in the world 
of biotechnology. Ultimately, he was able to retire early to dedicate 
his life to his family and to public service.
  When he and his wife, Barbara McHugh, sought a Bay Area community in 
which to raise their family they selected San Carlos because of its 
high-quality schools. Both Mark and Barbara plunged into volunteering 
to raise money for the schools and were ultimately honored for their 
leadership by the San Carlos Education Foundation.
  In the midst of his career, and while raising Arthur and Caroline, 
the couple's two children, Mark ran for the school board. He succeeded 
in his first effort and was reelected. During his 10 years as a 
trustee, he successfully advocated to reform the district's special 
education program and grappled with the fragile finances of the 
district. For decades, civic leaders had opined that, in San Carlos, 
school parcel taxes and bond measures would fail. As a trustee, Mark 
had a different opinion. He and a core group led successful efforts to 
pass several tax or bond measures, thereby stabilizing finances and 
putting the district on a path to rejuvenate its schools.
  While on the school board, it was his work with the city that sparked 
his interest in the city council. He saw a need for more parks for a 
growing population, more housing, and greater transparency in local 
government. He ran for the city council in 2011, came in first, and was 
later re-elected.
  Mark and most of his council colleagues tried but were ultimately 
unable to obtain more land to expand city parks. He always maintained, 
however, that the city council had done its job by providing residents 
with a choice about their quality of life.
  In recent years, he successfully advocated for San Carlos to become a 
``welcoming city'' to send a message of hope as immigrants came under 
attack. Homeowners have a friend in Mark as the city adopted a proposal 
to help pay for otherwise expensive sidewalk repairs. Along with his 
colleagues, he regularly supported thoughtful budgeting that generated 
surpluses.
  Housing is Mark's constant concern. He asks important questions about 
whether the city has zoned enough land for housing in order to avoid 
the displacement of vulnerable residents as commercial development 
accelerates. He is passionate about equal economic opportunity and the 
need to find affordable housing for teachers, public safety personnel, 
store clerks, and all others who struggle to pay high rents in San 
Carlos.
  Mark started a blog when he joined the school board and continued as 
a councilmember. Recent council topics on his site, ``Making Your 
Mark,'' include: ``Reflections: Paranoia, Tribalism, Politics''; and, 
``Even in the City of Good Living, Racism is Not Patriotism!'' His 
retirement may spare the public from another blog rumored to be in the 
works: ``Quantum Theory and Time Travel: New Adventures in Parenting 
During A Pandemic.'' His blog's style is a blend of The New York Times 
Magazine, Scientific American, and Mad Magazine.
  Mark Olbert is honest, thoughtful, and dogged in asking questions and 
getting answers. He seeks the long-term welfare of the entire 
community. He is brilliant and has a wonderful sense of humor. While 
``public servant'' is a title that others may view as pedestrian, he 
treasures it as much as a rare gem. It has been my great honor and 
privilege to serve with Mark Olbert. He represents the best in public 
service. I will miss him on the council. Let me invoke an amended 
phrase from a renowned science fiction philosopher, Yoda: Mark, May the 
Force of Public Opinion Always Be With You.

                          ____________________