HONORING JOE SIMITIAN
WHEREAS, Joe Simitian has represented Palo Alto, among other jurisdictions, in public office since 1983. Joe has held office in local and state government, including Palo Alto Unified School District Board of Education, Palo Alto City Council, Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors, California State Assembly, and California State Senate; and
WHEREAS, Joe earned a Bachelor of Arts degree, cum laude from Colorado Coll ege, a Juris Doctor degree and Master of City Planning degree from the University of California, Berkeley, and a Master of Arts degree in International Policy Studies from Stanford University; and
WHEREAS, a wide range of organizations recognized Joe as “Legislator of the Year” throughout his career, including: Santa Clara County League of Conservation Voters, Californians Against Waste, California School Boards Association, California National Organization for Women, California State University System, San Andreas Regional Center, California Library Association, NAACP San Jose/Silicon Valley, and Junior Leagues of California; and
WHEREAS, Joe prioritized connecting directly with local constituents and engaging them in the public process through initiatives like his annual “There Oughta Be A Law” contest, a monthly “Capitol Focus” interview program, regular “Sidewalk Office Hours” at neighborhood farmers markets, and presentations of his “13 Tips for Successful Advocacy” lecture to local organizations; and
WHEREAS, raised in Palo Alto and a graduate of Palo Alto High School, Joe has deep roots in the Palo Alto community. Some of the Palo Alto-specific projects Joe championed include spearheading the Buena Vista Mobile Home Park preservation effort, opening a clinic specifically designed for children and teens to access mental and physical health care services, and developing affordable housing projects for teachers and individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, Greer Stone, Mayor of the City of Palo Alto, on behalf of the entire City Council, do hereby express my thanks and appreciation to Joe Simitian for his leadership, vision, and dedication throughout his exceptional years of public service.
Presented: December 9, 2024
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Greer Stone
Mayor
Proclamation