Statement by Congresswoman Jane Harman

Congresswoman Jane harman - Press Release

Tribute to Councilman Mike Gin

May 20, 2003

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of my friend, Mike Gin, who retires this week from the Redondo Beach City Council after 8 years of distinguished service.

In addition to his work on the council, Mike's service to his community covers a wide range of community groups including the Redondo Beach Historical Society, the Chinese Americans United for Self-Empowerment, and the Beach Cities Branch of the American Heart Association. He is also a member of the Redondo Beach Sister Cities Association, the Redondo Beach Jaycees, the Redondo Beach Chamber of Commerce and the Redondo Beach Rotary Club.

I consider Mike a ``lunch-pail politician,'' who prides himself on doing the little things--like parks and potholes--that help make the City of Redondo Beach one of the nicest places to live in California. He was famous for holding Saturday morning office hours with his constituents so he could spend time listening to their concerns.

But Mike's retirement from the City Council does not mean he is giving up on public service. In fact, this month Mike left his information services job to become Deputy to another good friend, Los Angeles County Supervisor Don Knabe. I am delighted that much of the area Mike will cover for Supervisor Knabe remains in my own Congressional district. My staff and I look forward to working with Mike in this new capacity.

Mr. Speaker, I will miss Mike's warm personality on the City Council but am glad he will continue to play an active role in our community.