[Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 113 (Monday, July 13, 2026)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E669-E670]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




HONORING BENJAMIN SIEGEL FOR HIS CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE CITY OF SAN JUAN 
                               CAPISTRANO

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. MIKE LEVIN

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, July 13, 2026

  Mr. LEVIN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Benjamin Siegel, who is 
retiring after a decade of service as the City Manager of San Juan 
Capistrano, California. As a proud resident of San Juan Capistrano, I 
pay tribute to and celebrate his impact on the City and community in 
California's 49th District.
  Ben Siegel has served as San Juan Capistrano's City Manager since 
2016, providing leadership to facilitate the effective delivery of 
municipal services, management of City operations, and the negotiation 
and administration of contracts. Ben has over 20 years of municipal 
management experience, presides over the Orange County City Managers 
Association, and has extensive knowledge in the areas of land use and 
development, transportation, and public infrastructure. He is 
passionate about making government more efficient and improving service 
delivery to San Juan Capistrano's residents and businesses.

[[Page E670]]

  Ben holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from UCLA, a Master 
of Public Administration from Cal State Fullerton, and a certificate in 
Construction and Development Management from UC Irvine. At Cal State 
Fullerton, Ben served on the Advisory Board for the Master of Public 
Administration program and created the City Management Fellowship 
Program, which enab]es high-performing graduate students to learn 
directly from local city managers. In honor of his contributions to the 
profession, Ben received the Stewardship Award from the Municipal 
Management Association of Southern California.
  In San Juan Capistrano, Ben led the city with a focus on fiscal 
management, eliminating the structural budget deficit and allowing the 
city to build surpluses and invest in public safety, parks, and 
critical infrastructure. Under his leadership, the city has improved 
its roadways, expanded affordable housing development, and revitalized 
downtown San Juan Capistrano. Several recreational and cultural 
amenities have been added, including the San Juan Capistrano Skatepark, 
Windmill Park, and the Northwest Open Space Park with Putuidem Village.
  Ben Siegel's commitment to San Juan Capistrano has facilitated the 
prosperity that the community enjoys today. I recognize and celebrate 
his decade of leadership in San Juan Capistrano and wish Ben the best 
in his retirement and success in all his future endeavors.

                          ____________________