[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 209 (Thursday, December 11, 2025)]
[Senate]
[Pages S8667-S8668]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         REMEMBERING BOB FOSTER

 Mr. PADILLA. Mr. President, I rise today to celebrate the life 
of Bob Foster, an enterprising business leader, clean energy visionary, 
and former mayor of the city of Long Beach, CA.
  Born on January 1, 1947, in Brooklyn, NY, Robert ``Bob'' Foster 
learned the value of hard work early by laying

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flooring with his father, a trade that eventually helped him pay his 
way through college at San Jose State University, where he graduated in 
1969.
  In 1971, Bob was hired by the California State Senate Energy 
Committee, where his hard work and intellect earned him the position of 
chief of staff just a year later. Early on, Bob worked on legislation 
that would help lead to the creation of the California Energy 
Commission and establish statewide energy efficiency standards.
  In 1984, Bob was hired by Southern California Edison to serve as 
principal liaison to the California Legislature. After working his way 
up and helping SCE build up a pioneering renewable energy portfolio, in 
2002, Bob became president of the company.
  But many Californians remember Bob best for his leadership in public 
office. In 2006, Bob was elected mayor of the city of Long Beach, a 
position he would hold for two terms. Not long into his first term, 
California and the Nation were plunged into the depths of the Great 
Recession. But even at a time of great economic uncertainty, as mayor, 
Bob's disciplined leadership and steady hand helped Long Beach weather 
the storm, stabilizing the city's finances and creating the first 
budget surplus in 14 years, making significant environmental 
investments in the Port of Long Beach, and bringing violent crime 
numbers down to the lowest point in over four decades.
  As longtime Long Beach City prosecutor Doug Haubert said: ``He was 
the kind of leader who knew it was up to him to make tough decisions. 
He had to lead us during the recession, and he did just that.''
  Today, Bob's legacy lives on through the students of the ACE Academy 
at Jordan High School, learning construction and engineering; through 
the student-athletes at Long Beach State who are fortunate to receive 
the James Foster Endowed Scholarship, named after Bob's late son; and 
with all those who pass through the ``Bob Foster Civic Chambers.''
  Angela and I send our love to Bob's wife Nancy and his entire 
family.

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