[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 6 (Monday, January 11, 2021)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E24]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      IN HONOR OF SANDRA LEE FEWER

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. JACKIE SPEIER

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Monday, January 11, 2021

  Ms. SPEIER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Sandra Lee Fewer 
as she departs the San Francisco Board of Supervisors after serving for 
four years, and after serving for a total of 12 years in elective 
office in San Francisco. The city is losing a tremendous advocate for 
small businesses, working families and struggling residents.
  Sandra Fewer and her husband, John, have lived in the Richmond 
District of San Francisco for over 50 years. They have three children, 
Sara, Colleen, and Rory and the family has deep roots in the community. 
Her husband spent 35 years on the police force and retired from the 
Richmond District station.
  Her children attended public schools and Sandra spent those early 
years as a PTA President for 12 terms. She also participated in school 
site councils, teacher appreciation days and organized numerous school 
events. As her participation in the community grew, so too did the 
recognition that she was a natural leader. She was elected to the Board 
of Education in 2008 and re-elected in 2012. In 2014, she served as 
Board President.
  There is so much about Sandra that can be summed up in a single word: 
Heart. For example, from 2001 to 2009 she served as the Executive 
Director of Coleman Advocates for Children and Youth. This organization 
advocates for young people across multiple issues impacting them in San 
Francisco, and before many major policymaking bodies. Homelessness, 
closing the school achievement gap, and hunger were just a few of the 
causes she and student advocates took up.
  She was elected to the Board of Supervisors in 2016, took office in 
2017, and became the first female to represent her district. As a 
Supervisor, Sandra was described by a local business owner as an 
outstanding advocate for small businesses. This observation was made 
before the pandemic.
  Now, as she walks through the Richmond, she can see struggling small 
restaurants and stores that are boarded up. Recently, San Francisco 
offered these companies loans and grants, which Sandra supported. One 
Richmond, an organization that she created, encourages residents to 
shop locally. It also encourages neighbors to help neighbors by 
volunteering in the community. Its motto is, ``Have you done your One 
Richmond thing today?''
  Sandra takes seriously her job of helping those who need the most 
help. For example, she successfully pushed to obtain a state grant to 
create a nonprofit affordable housing developer that will someday build 
needed housing in her district. She supported creation of a public bank 
by the City of San Francisco in order to provide banking services and 
economic development to communities ignored by traditional banks.
  She supported Proposition E that will facilitate the building of 
affordable housing and housing for educators throughout San Francisco. 
65% of her constituents are renters and she's offered them protections 
through her votes on the board and through these difficult times of the 
pandemic. Long after her term in office, her legacy of offering aid to 
those in need will produce results for those she served.
  She indicates that when she leaves office she will garden and renew 
her friendships, many ``on hold'' due to her board duties these past 
three years. Gardening will join meditating as a hobby that she enjoys 
more frequently with John.
  Soon, this woman of Washington High School, City College, Golden Gate 
University, and the fictional but illustrious Richmond District School 
of Hard Knocks, from which she graduated magna cum laude, will leave 
the public stage. She departs having earned decades of well wishes 
built from a lifetime of community service. On her website, she stated 
that as a Supervisor she would be a caretaker for the residents of the 
Richmond District. She also noted that she understood that elective 
office is a trust. She amply demonstrated both during her time on the 
board.
  Madam Speaker, I salute San Francisco Supervisor Sandra Lee Fewer 
upon her departure. We may someday see her on Clement Street in one of 
the small shops or restaurants, and we'll wonder what she's doing. Make 
no mistake. Whatever her more obvious activity is at that moment, 
Sandra's broader purpose will be as it always has been: To remain a 
member of her community and a friend to all of goodwill.

                          ____________________