[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 193 (Tuesday, December 13, 2022)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1261]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




RECOGNIZING THE DEPARTURE OF WARREN LIEBERMAN FROM THE CITY COUNCIL OF 
                          THE CITY OF BELMONT

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. JACKIE SPEIER

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, December 13, 2022

  Ms. SPEIER. Madam Speaker, I rise to recognize my friend and 
colleague Belmont City Councilman Warren Lieberman upon the occasion of 
his departure from the Belmont City Council after 22 years of 
remarkable service to Belmont, including three terms as Mayor. He 
served for 17 years on the council and for 5 years on the city's 
Finance Commission. He has lived in Belmont for over 20 years. He and 
his wife, Gracie, raised two children in Belmont, Vanessa and Max.
  Warren graduated from Yale University with a Ph.D. in Operations 
Research and from SUNY Binghamton with a Bachelor of Science in 
Mathematics and Computer Science. He is President of Veritec Solutions, 
and helps companies improve pricing and revenue management practices.
  When first elected to the city council in 2005, Warren focused on 
improving opportunities for youth sports and recreation. He was a coach 
in AYSO Soccer and Little League and realized that Belmont needed 
improved facilities. Substantial improvements were made to the city's 
sports complex.
  Given its steep, wooded canyons and grassy areas, Belmont is at risk 
of a catastrophic wildfire. As a councilmember, Warren worked hard to 
ensure that residents were always served by a fire department with 
adequate personnel and equipment. He joined the Belmont-San Carlos Fire 
Department Board and negotiated to restructure the obligations of his 
city so that they were fairer to Belmont residents. He was later 
selected by his colleagues on the city council to negotiate entry of 
Belmont into the San Mateo Consolidated Fire Department. He serves on 
its governing board.
  As a councilmember, Warren Lieberman also supported numerous efforts 
to stabilize and then grow Belmont's tax base. Business development was 
his central focus, but he also supported increasing the hotel occupancy 
tax and a local sales tax measure, both of which were approved by 
voters. As COVID ravaged the community, then acting-Mayor Lieberman led 
virtual meetings of the council and helped direct student energies in a 
positive manner during protests originating at Carlmont High School.
  Affordable housing is a challenge for all communities in my district. 
Warren voted to approve developments and made the case to the community 
that Belmont's success hinged on families of all income groups being 
able to feel secure in their housing. When residents objected to 
placing cannabis businesses near their homes and schools, Warren 
listened patiently. The council eventually voted to ban these 
businesses from school routes and neighborhoods.
  At the time that Warren joined the city council, its meetings were 
often fractious. He has worked hard to build relationships with other 
councilmembers so that the city's governance is more sure-footed. In 
2014, he led the Council's effort to develop and implement a Code of 
Ethics and Conduct for Elected and Appointed Officials. The public 
appreciates his focus, and that of his colleagues, on policymaking 
rather than disputes. In part due to this focus, the city's 
infrastructure is being upgraded, affordable housing was constructed 
and is in the pipeline, and the city's budget has weathered the 
challenges of COVID and recessions. Growing families now may also 
utilize city rules that are more friendly to remodeling.
  Other council accomplishments during his time in office include: 
creation of a construction time ordinance; development of a better 
relationship with Notre Dame de Namur University; creation of the 
Beautify Belmont Awards; and, conversion of Davey Glen Park from a 
passive park into an active park.
  Madam Speaker, I note that this longtime civic leader will now return 
to private life so that he may concentrate on personal and business 
affairs. City Council work is a volunteer job, and it takes quite a bit 
of time away from one's family. I know that Gracie, Vanessa and Max 
will appreciate having more time to hear from Warren, and time for him 
to participate in family events. I wish Warren a wonderful life in the 
many years ahead. He made a difference, and as he travels around 
Belmont his accomplishments will stand before his eyes everywhere that 
he goes.

                          ____________________