[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 193 (Tuesday, December 13, 2022)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1264-E1265]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  RECOGNIZING THE SERVICE OF THE HONORABLE DIANE PAPAN, DEPUTY MAYOR, 
   UPON THE OCCASION OF HER DEPARTURE FROM THE SAN MATEO CITY COUNCIL

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. JACKIE SPEIER

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, December 13, 2022

  Ms. SPEIER. Madam Speaker, I rise to recognize San Mateo Deputy Mayor 
Diane Papan as she leaves the San Mateo City Council to become a member 
of the California State Assembly. The voters of the district have 
elected a strong leader who has always been attuned to the needs of her 
constituents.
  Diane Papan grew up in Daly City and Millbrae and then moved to the 
City of San Mateo. She was President of the Baywood Owners Improvement 
Association, Second Vice-President of the United Homeowners 
Association, and Chair of the Baywood School Site Council. She also 
worked on the San Mateo Downtown Master Plan and Parking Plan.
  She is a proud graduate of the University of California, Los Angeles, 
where she received her bachelor's degree in Political Science in 1985, 
and of my alma mater the University of California Hastings College of 
the Law from which she graduated in 1988. As an attorney, she began her 
legal career litigating public works projects. Today, she has her own 
commercial law practice representing small businesses. She also serves 
as the administrator of her family's charity, John's Closet, and a 
scholarship named for her late brother, the John Papan Memorial 
Scholarship.
  Diane is deeply concerned about climate change and has been 
instrumental in helping San Mateo County adjust to this new reality 
through her service on OneShoreline, a countywide district that creates 
projects to deal with sea level rise. As an original board member, she 
recognizes that San Mateo County is the No. 1 county in California at 
risk of damage to property and infrastructure. Together with her fellow 
board members, she has overseen the implementation of a project in 
Redwood City and Menlo Park to relieve flooding for hundreds of low-
income residents of mobile homes. She and her colleagues are also 
guiding a project that will protect businesses and infrastructure in an 
area from the border with San Francisco International Airport through 
Burlingame to San Mateo. Some in San Mateo County questioned the need 
for a countywide agency to deal with climate change and sea level rise. 
Diane saw the aim of this agency and has always strongly supported it.
  As a councilmember and Mayor, Diane pushed to establish the 101 
Express Lanes Joint Powers Authority so that San Mateo County could 
implement toll lanes along a lengthy stretch of our main freeway. The 
project will be completed next year but it promises to reduce carbon 
emissions and to speed commuters through a heavily congested corridor. 
She also represents the city on the board of the consolidated fire 
district.
  Diane has been a strong supporter of more housing within the City of 
San Mateo. For example, while on the council, she voted to allow two 
additional levels and 61 additional units to the city's Kiku Crossing 
development, an affordable housing project presently under 
construction. It was a controversial decision because it relied on 
recent changes to state law. Using state authority to create these 
units illustrates the important role that the state legislature plays 
in creating economic opportunity despite the opposition of some.
  Diane Papan's father, Lou, served in the State Assembly and she is 
therefore steeped in the history of the institution. However, I know 
that she will be her own person, as she has proven to be during her 
time on the city council. In fact, some lobbyists may ignore her 
individuality and attempt to ingratiate themselves by appeals to her 
father's memory and sensibilities, Diane, as intelligent and talented 
as she is, may wish to remind them of their folly by keeping a desk 
sign close at hand. It might read: ``Diane Papan: Proudly Lou's 
daughter, not his clone.''
  Serving in elective office is a privilege. It is especially so when 
you are able to see the immediate impact of your work as is possible 
when you serve in the California legislature. In our present times, so 
much depends upon state law. Diane is a strong supporter of the 
reproductive rights of women, a supporter of California's assault 
weapons ban, and wants California to invest in wildfire prevention. She 
will be able to see these priorities and others turned into concrete 
action in the years ahead.
  I wish Diane Papan, her husband Dan Latini, and their daughter Alexa, 
all the best in the years to come.

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