[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 71 (Friday, April 29, 2022)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E439-E440]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       HONORING FARHAD MANSOURIAN

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. JARED HUFFMAN

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, April 29, 2022

  Mr. HUFFMAN. Madam Speaker, I rise today, along with Congressman Mike 
Thompson, in celebration of Farhad Mansourian as he retires from 
Sonoma-Marin Area Rail Transit (SMART). Mr. Mansourian has dedicated

[[Page E440]]

his 43-year career to public service, spending the last 11 years 
serving as SMART's intrepid general manager.
  Mr. Mansourian was a terrorist officer in the Iranian Imperial Army 
before he escaped to the United States after the fall of the Shah. 
After obtaining degrees in civil engineering and political science from 
Sacramento State University, he settled in Marin County where he began 
his civil engineering and public service work in 1979. After serving 
for 32 years, including 9 years as Marin County's Public Works 
Director, Mr. Mansourian retired leaving behind an impressive legacy of 
accomplishments for the county. His retirement, however, proved brief, 
as he was quicky recruited to become SMART's General Manager, a 
position he accepted in 2011.
  As SMART General Manager, Mr. Mansourian was tasked with turning 45 
miles of repurposed rail track into a thriving rail line in the 
aftermath of the 2007 to 2008 financial crisis and the significant 
budget challenges it created. Applying his vast experience, skills and 
talents, he worked creatively to solve many engineering, construction, 
and funding challenges, coordinating with partner transportation 
agencies, elected officials, government agencies, community groups, and 
the public to meet project expectations.
  Mr. Mansourian's ability to manage difficult circumstances and 
collaborate with independent and often times competing jurisdictions on 
a shoestring budget is masterful and a key reason regional passenger 
rail is a reality for SMART riders today. Under his leadership, SMART 
successfully operates this regional rail line with 12 stops spanning 
Northern Sonoma County to San Francisco Bay and serving a peak of 
700,000 riders. This success of SMART has also contributed to cleaner 
air for local residents as its riders have prevented 8.1 million pounds 
of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from being released into the 
environment.
  Madam Speaker, Farhad Mansourian exemplifies what it means to be a 
public servant. His dedication to regional transportation solutions and 
improving accessibility and sustainability for Marin and Sonoma 
Counties will benefit generations to come. Therefore, please join us in 
congratulating him on his decades of inspiring work and in wishing him 
a fulfilling and relaxing retirement.

                          ____________________