[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 192 (Monday, December 12, 2022)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1245]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       RECOGNIZING SHAWN KUMAGAI

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. ERIC SWALWELL

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, December 12, 2022

  Mr. SWALWELL. Madam Speaker, I rise to recognize Dublin City Council 
member Shawn Kumagai at the conclusion of his council membership on 
December 20, 2022.
  Shawn's career is demonstrative of his commitment to public service. 
It began when he enlisted in the Navy in 2001, serving active duty and 
ascending in rank to Chief Petty Officer until 2011. He continues his 
service in the Navy Reserve with an intelligence unit at Camp Parks 
Reserve Forces Training Area as Master Chief Petty Officer.
  Shawn received his Associate of Arts degree in Chinese Mandarin from 
the Defense Language Institute Foreign Language Center in 2001. While 
on active duty, Shawn received a Bachelor of Science degree in Liberal 
Arts from Excelsior University in 2007. Shawn later received his 
Masters of Instructional Science and Technology from California State 
University Monterey Bay in 2013.
  In 2016, Shawn moved with his brother to Dublin while he worked as an 
instructional design consultant for Pacific Gas and Electric. In 2019, 
Shawn became the District Director for California Assembly member 
Rebecca Bauer-Kahan, representing the 16th district.
  When he was elected to Dublin City Council in 2018, Shawn made 
history as the city's first openly gay elected official. He helped the 
city maintain a balanced budget and receive the highest credit rating 
possible. Shawn also successfully advocated for displaying the pride 
flag at Dublin City Hall in 2019. In December 2020, Mayor Melissa 
Hernandez appointed Shawn as a vice mayor, and in that role, he helped 
secure $1 million in funding for small business rent relief grants 
during the pandemic.
  As a council member, Shawn served on various committees, including 
the Alameda County Fire Department Advisory Committee, Alameda County 
Housing Authority, Association of Bay Area Governments General 
Assembly, East Bay Regional Park District Liaison Committee, Economic 
Development Committee, Tri-Valley Affordable Housing Committee, 
Military Communities Committee, and the Tri-Valley Water Liaison 
Committee, among others.
  For the past four years, Shawn has worked to ensure the City of 
Dublin is responsive to the needs of its residents. I join the Dublin 
community in celebrating his numerous achievements. I wish him quality 
time with his loving husband, Alex, and brother, Kevin, as he moves 
forward to his next adventure.

                          ____________________