[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 159 (2013), Part 13]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 18681-18682]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                       IN RECOGNITION OF JEFF IRA

                                  _____
                                 

                           HON. JACKIE SPEIER

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, December 11, 2013

  Ms. SPEIER. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor Jeff Ira for his 16 years of 
outstanding service on the Redwood City City Council, two terms as 
mayor. To say that Jeff's enthusiasm and expertise will be missed by 
his colleagues and all residents would be the understatement of the 
decade. Jeff has demonstrated superb leadership in setting Redwood City 
on a stable financial path and in making it a better place to live. I 
am proud to call Jeff a colleague and long time friend. When Jeff 
became mayor in 2009, he opened his two-year term with a ``Call to 
Action'' to inspire residents to get engaged in their community and 
help it recover from the worst recession since the Great Depression. He 
recommended volunteering at schools, libraries and non-profits and 
youth sports groups because he knew first-hand that all were suffering 
during the economic downturn. Under his leadership, and despite tough 
economic challenges, the city completed a new General Plan and the 
Downtown Precise Plan, attained a garbage collection agreement, 
accomplished a partnership with the San Carlos Fire Department to share 
services and save money, and passed a budget under enormous financial 
constraints. On his own time, Jeff worked hard to get ballot measures 
passed to bring more revenue to Redwood City. While mayor, he served on 
the city's Audit, Finance and Revenue, Jail, Economic Development/
Downtown and Fox Theater committees. He was also the council's liaison 
for Neighborhood Association co-chairs, and chair of the South Bayside 
System Authority. Jeff's vision and persistence were instrumental in 
creating the beautiful downtown of Redwood City. Courthouse Square and 
the Fox Theater would not be the sparkling jewels they are today 
without his hard and strategic work. Additionally, he made recycled 
water a reality for the community. Jeff showed the same creativity, 
integrity and commitment during his entire tenure on the city council. 
He will always be known for the 2004 Great Toilet Giveaway when 
thousands of residents received low-flow toilets. He saved countless 
trees by having the city council move to a paperless system for staff 
reports and digital delivery of agenda packets. You can also thank him 
for the photo gallery on the city website showing off the beauty of 
Redwood City. His in-depth understanding of finances and fiscal 
constraints, and his contribution to creating controls over spiraling 
costs, helped steer the city through the economic downturn and towards 
financial stability. As a member of the South Bayside Systems Authority 
for 13 years, Jeff created the blue ribbon task force to analyze the 
governing structure of SBSA which resulted in a change on the board to 
include elected officials and a technical advisory committee. He 
oversaw the restructuring of the board's commission and committees to 
make them more effective and to meet the needs of the community. Jeff 
is passionate about public schools. As a parent, he was deeply involved 
in Clifford Elementary School in the Redwood City School District, and 
he worked tirelessly to raise funds for the district. He is committed 
to equal opportunity for all through quality public education. Jeff 
also serves as Treasurer of the Sequoia Awards which offers college 
scholarships to outstanding young people in Redwood City. Jeff has been 
a major fiscal and spiritual steward of this all-volunteer program for 
many years. In short, no matter what Jeff takes on, the results are 
always lasting. Jeff was born and raised in Redwood City and attended 
Saint Pius School and Saint Francis High School. He graduated from 
Humboldt State University with a B.S. in Accounting. Jeff is the proud 
father of Josh, Julie, Jessica and Joseph. While I am sure that he will 
enjoy more time hiking, kayaking, gardening and traveling after he 
retires from the council today, I have no doubt he will find ways to 
stay engaged and to give back to our community. Mr. Speaker, I ask the 
House of Representatives to rise with me to honor Jeff Ira, one of the 
finest mayors and public servants

[[Page 18682]]

San Mateo County has seen. His tireless commitment and contributions to 
the city and residents of Redwood City will be felt for generations to 
come.

                          ____________________