[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 193 (Tuesday, December 13, 2022)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1272]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  RECOGNIZING RAY MUELLER UPON HIS DEPARTURE FROM THE MENLO PARK CITY 
                                COUNCIL

                                 ______
                                 

                           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 Ray Mueller who served on the Menlo Park City Council for ten 
years, two terms as mayor, as he is entering a new chapter in his 
public service career. Ray was just elected as the San Mateo County 
Supervisor for the 3rd District where he will undoubtedly continue his 
outstanding and dedicated service to the community.
  Ray was first elected to the council in 2012. During his tenure he 
was always focused on improving the quality of life and safety of 
residents, the economy and the environment. As the father of two 
teenagers, Max, 16 and Elle, 12, he is particularly driven to work 
towards policies that will ensure the future of his and all children. 
He is married to his high school sweetheart Kristen Shima. I have known 
Ray for a decade and have always been impressed and inspired by his 
can-do attitude, resourcefulness, and optimism.
  Ray is a graduate of the University of California, Berkeley, and he 
received his JD from the University of California, Hastings College of 
the Law. He now works as an attorney in the emergency response and 
services sector. His legal acumen and analytical mind have certainly 
served the city of Menlo Park very well. Along with his council 
colleagues, he has been able to balance the city budget for eight 
consecutive years and to maintain the city's AAA bond rating since he 
was elected. He and the council have also saved taxpayers millions of 
dollars through smart policies.
  Menlo Park, like the rest of the Bay Area, is plagued by a lack of 
affordable housing and traffic congestion. Ray has strongly advocated 
solutions for these interconnected issues. During his time on the 
council, Menlo Park adopted two housing elements. He was appointed and 
served on the State of California Tax Credit Allocation Committee which 
administers the federal and state low-income housing tax credit 
programs. Menlo Park set aside housing units with rental subsidies for 
teachers and other community-serving professionals in housing 
development approvals. Ray worked with Facebook to add housing units on 
its proposed campus expansion. During the pandemic, Menlo Park made 
$100,000 available in grants for emergency rental housing assistance. 
Ray served on the board of LifeMoves, one of the largest homeless 
services providers in Silicon Valley.
  He and his fellow council members also developed and approved a 
citywide Transportation Master Plan which focuses on traffic 
mitigation, safe routes to schools and across freeways, street 
resurfacing and sidewalks, and improved rail service.
  Ray is particularly passionate about our youth. When he was mayor in 
2019, he created a youth advisory commission. He launched an after 
school homework center at the Belle Haven Library bringing in skilled 
volunteers to provide one-on-one support. He also hosted several civics 
days at city hall and taught leadership classes at the Boys and Girls 
Club. During the pandemic, he reactivated childcare centers and 
transformed after-school programs into learning pods for distance 
learning.
  Ray fully understands that without climate change mitigation our 
planet and the future of our youth hangs in the balance. In 2020, Menlo 
Park adopted its first Climate Action Plan. Four years prior, he voted 
to enroll all city facilities in ECO 100, a program that provides 100 
percent renewable energy for city buildings, streetlights and charging 
stations. As mayor in 2014, Ray prioritized the formation of Menlo Park 
Spark to promote regional climate action policy. He is also a staunch 
defender of our open spaces and parks. Despite his extensive work hours 
as an attorney and council member, he manages to find time to volunteer 
for the San Mateo chapter of the Surfrider Foundation. An avid surfer 
himself, Ray has a deep love and respect for the awesome power of 
nature. He is currently taking a hiatus from the sport to allow a 
serious neck injury to heal.
  Madam Speaker, I ask the Members of the House of Representatives to 
rise with me to thank Ray Mueller for his exemplary service on the 
Menlo Park City Council and to wish him continued success and stamina 
for his upcoming service on the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors. 
His contributions will keep shaping our beautiful county and coast.

                          ____________________