Sam T. Liccardo, CA
“I want to honor Larry Stone. He recently retired after serving in local elected office for 46 years, including 30 years as the Santa Clara County assessor. He ran his office well and served our community faithfully.”
“Madam Speaker, I rise today to speak on behalf of myself and on behalf of my colleagues, Representatives Zoe Lofgren, Ro Khanna, and Jimmy Panetta, to recognize Larry Stone, who retired a few months ago as Santa Clara County’s longest serving elected official. Larry has been an extraordinary public servant, ethical role model, a mentor to many of us, and a friend to all. Larry served in elected office for 46 years, 30 as Santa Clara County’s assessor. He made the most of his notorious role as tax leveler, humorously egging on everyone to boo him at every civic and political event. He even wore a Grinch costume for many years in our annual Santa Run, sitting in the pace car with thousands of runners dressed up as Santas with beards on chasing him through the streets of downtown San Jose. Larry’s work was serious, however. He leaves behind an assessor’s office that has become a national model for efficiency, responsiveness, and trustworthiness. Larry’s signature forthrightness made him the first phone call for local reporters looking for someone quotable. His willingness to call out malfeasance by the powerful made him a reliable advocate for good government. His prescient political sense--gathering Silicon Valley support for everyone from his successor, Neysa Fligor, to a little known southerner by the name of Bill Clinton--made him a local kingmaker. In his retirement, Larry and his much-beloved wife, Carmen, will continue to generously support local nonprofits and the arts. Larry’s example, however, continues to inspire the next generation of leaders. Madam Speaker, on behalf of many, I thank Larry for his leadership, his mentorship, and his friendship.”
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Speech in the House
Signal 40 of 100
Much of this statement went to praise, blame, greetings, routine procedure or general stories rather than reasons, requests or specific points.
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Madam Speaker, I rise today to speak on behalf of myself and on behalf of my colleagues, Representatives Zoe Lofgren, Ro Khanna, and Jimmy Panetta, to recognize Larry Stone, who retired a few months ago as Santa Clara County’s longest serving elected official. Larry has been an extraordinary public servant, ethical role model, a mentor to many of us, and a friend to all. Larry served in elected office for 46 years, 30 as Santa Clara County’s assessor. He made the most of his notorious role as tax leveler, humorously egging on everyone to boo him at every civic and political event. He even wore a Grinch costume for many years in our annual Santa Run, sitting in the pace car with thousands of runners dressed up as Santas with beards on chasing him through the streets of downtown San Jose. Larry’s work was serious, however. He leaves behind an assessor’s office that has become a national model for efficiency, responsiveness, and trustworthiness. Larry’s signature forthrightness made him the first phone call for local reporters looking for someone quotable. His willingness to call out malfeasance by the powerful made him a reliable advocate for good government. His prescient political sense--gathering Silicon Valley support for everyone from his successor, Neysa Fligor, to a little known southerner by the name of Bill Clinton--made him a local kingmaker. In his retirement, Larry and his much-beloved wife, Carmen, will continue to generously support local nonprofits and the arts. Larry’s example, however, continues to inspire the next generation of leaders. Madam Speaker, on behalf of many, I thank Larry for his leadership, his mentorship, and his friendship.