October 21, 2019 - Issue: Vol. 165, No. 166 — Daily Edition116th Congress (2019 - 2020) - 1st Session

[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1317-E1318]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 IN HONOR OF MAUREEN FRESCHET, UPON HER RETIREMENT FROM THE SAN MATEO 
                              CITY COUNCIL

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. JACKIE SPEIER

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Monday, October 21, 2019

  Ms. SPEIER. Madam Speaker, I rise to honor Maureen Freschet as she 
retires from the San Mateo City Council after eight years of noteworthy 
service to the people of San Mateo. This service follows many years in 
other positions of public benefit throughout the county.
  Maureen has deep roots in San Mateo. Her grandparents immigrated from 
Italy in the 1920's and Maureen is justly proud of her Italian-American 
heritage. On one occasion in recent years, she spoke movingly from the

[[Page E1318]]

council dais about the evolution of San Mateo through the eyes of an 
immigrant family. She recounted the older stores and businesses that 
made San Mateo, in the eyes of its residents in the 1920's, 30's, 40's 
and 50's, a place where neighborhoods and neighbors mixed freely as 
everyone raised families and watched generations grow through peacetime 
and wars.
  Many of these memories served her well as she sat on the city's 
planning commission and also guided her decisions as a councilmember. 
During her tenure, she supported the redevelopment of Bay Meadows race 
track into a thriving commercial, residential and transit hub. The city 
straightened out a convoluted intersection at Highway 92 and El Camino 
Real, began a $1 billion + project to add to the sewer treatment 
system, saw an explosion of jobs and amenities downtown, witnessed the 
rebirth of its major shopping center, and undertook transformational 
work at 25th Avenue and the Caltrain line.
  As the economy recovered, she encouraged high technology companies to 
settle into downtown San Mateo and advocated for restaurants and in 
favor of a lively downtown at nighttime and on the weekends. While many 
contributed to these successes, few were as vocal as Maureen Freschet 
in making the point: Downtown San Mateo is a destination that is fun, 
safe and lively from morning to night.
  She's an active member of the San Mateo Chamber of Commerce and the 
Rotary Club. She was the President of the Belmont Chamber of Commerce 
during her 23 years as a government and community relations officer for 
Notre Dame de Namur University, in Belmont. If there was a public event 
or civic engagement that needed attention in either city, Maureen 
Freschet was present, energetic, often a leader, and always a 
beneficial force for community improvement.
  Many of Maureen's most visible contributions will never have her name 
on them. Due to her service on the county's transportation authority, 
she was involved in major projects to improve traffic and transit. As 
people move through the community, and despite traffic woes created by 
a 2 percent unemployment rate and high technology job growth that is 
essentially engulfing our community, travelers have Maureen to thank in 
part for recent and coming improvements that will benefit them for 
generations to come.
  Maureen is an enthusiastic supporter of San Mateo's adopted Army 
unit, the 101st Airborne ``Screaming Eagles,'' and worked tirelessly to 
welcome them on the 50th anniversary of their adoption by San Mateo. 
She spearheaded the effort to create a memorial in Central Park to 
honor San Mateo's fallen military and local public safety heroes.
  Her dedication to law enforcement is multifaceted. She served on the 
county's Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Commission and on 
the Executive Board of the Service League. She is also a staunch 
opponent of human trafficking and made numerous presentations on this 
important subject.
  Maureen raised her two daughters, Nicole and Kristen, as a single 
mother. She is now known as ``Nini,'' to her grandson, Carson. Out of 
all the titles she's earned over the years, this one is her most 
cherished. She also earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Human 
Services Administration and a Master's in Public Administration from 
the University of Notre Dame de Namur in Belmont.
  For decades, Maureen Freschet has been the quintessential pillar of 
the community. In America's democratic tradition, no leader can 
honestly say, ``Only I can lead us or all will perish.'' No one is 
irreplaceable. That being said, in San Mateo, Maureen is close. She 
wishes to spend more time with her husband, Andy, and her family. I 
commend her for keeping her priorities straight. However, exemplary 
citizenship is inspiring to us all. Maureen will likely roar at times 
with her private voice, continue to lead by personal example, and thus 
inspire all who know her to remain engaged in the awesome task of 
governing this great nation.

                          ____________________