Floor SpeechCeremonial2026-06-18

HONORING LAWRENCE E. "LARRY" STONE LIFETIME OF SERVICE

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Context

On 2026-06-18, Representative Sam T. Liccardo (D-CA-16) delivered a floor speech titled "HONORING LAWRENCE E. "LARRY" STONE LIFETIME OF SERVICE" in the House.

Full Text

HONORING LAWRENCE E. "LARRY" STONE LIFETIME OF SERVICE

Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 103 (Thursday, June 18, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 103 (Thursday, June 18, 2026)] [Extensions of Remarks] [Page E588] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] HONORING LAWRENCE E. ``LARRY'' STONE LIFETIME OF SERVICE ______ HON. SAM T. LICCARDO of california in the house of representatives Thursday, June 18, 2026 Mr. LICCARDO. Mr. Speaker, I rise alongside my colleagues Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren, Congressman Jimmy Panetta, and Congressman Ro Khanna, to honor a widely-respected community leader, mentor, and friend. Lawrence E. ``Larry'' Stone served more than three decades as Santa Clara County Assessor, among his 47 years in public office. As Santa Clara County's longest-serving elected official, we celebrate his contributions upon his recent retirement. First elected to public office in 1975, Stone served on the Sunnyvale City Council for 16 years, including two terms as mayor. In 1994, voters elected him to the role of Santa Clara County Assessor. As Assessor, Stone supervised $8 billion in properly tax revenue and managed a roll of more than 500,000 properties, which incurred a 500 percent increase in value during his time in office. During his tenure, he returned $35 million to the county's general fund while adding only one person to the payroll. For thirty years--through economic booms and downturns alike--he consistently delivered complete, on-time assessment rolls within budget, earning stellar audit results and strengthening confidence in the office's performance. His work ensured transformative funding for our region's schools and communities. A tireless and deeply dedicated public servant, Stone was among the first to arrive at work and last to leave, often remarking that he preferred workdays to weekends. He instilled a strong sense of urgency within the office, pushing for efficiency, responsiveness, and customer service. In his final years in office, he modernized the Assessor's Office's outdated software and database, ensuring its ability to continue serving Santa Clara County into the future. As a leader, Stone welcomed discussion on major decisions, but once resolved, he acted decisively and expected others to move with equal urgency. While relishing the independence of elected office and enjoying the political process--never losing an election in his decades of service--he remained grounded in results, believing that strong performance was the best campaign. He stood up publicly for good government and reliably spoke out when powerful figures misused resources or misled the public. Among local elected officials, Stone is known as a political ``godfather.'' Politicians routinely ask him for advice and for support, and he became the go-to leader on dozens of commissions, task forces, and nonprofit boards. In 1990, he convened Silicon Valley power brokers to help Bill Clinton learn about tech and the innovation economy, which transformed into support for Clinton's winning presidential campaign. Later, Vice President Al Gore drew inspiration for ``reinventing government'' from reforms that Stone helped implement in Sunnyvale. Stone's forthrightness, quotable humor, and keen insights continue to attract reporters seeking someone who will say what nobody else has the courage to utter publicly. Stone and his gracious wife, Carmen, are sought-after guests at nonprofit events and generously support local causes, particularly the arts. Larry invests heavily in affordable housing projects throughout the region and repeatedly champions the region's efforts to build stadiums and land professional sports teams. Stone also continues to drive the Downtown San Jose Rotary Club, one of the largest and most actively philanthropic clubs in the Nation, where he served as a past president. Larry Stone spent his career elevating public service, and local government. He leaves his own service to Santa Clara County knowing that he made his community stronger than when he found it. His legacy of principled public service will benefit our community for generations. ____________________

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HONORING LAWRENCE E. "LARRY" STONE LIFETIME OF SERVICE Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 103 (Thursday, June 18, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 103 (Thursday, June 18, 2026)] [Extensions of Remarks] [Page E588] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] HONORING LAWRENCE E. ``LARRY'' STONE LIFETIME OF SERVICE ______ HON. SAM T. LICCARDO of california in the house of representatives Thursday, June 18, 2026 Mr. LICCARDO. Mr. Speaker, I rise alongside my colleagues Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren, Congressman Jimmy Panetta, and Congressman Ro Khanna, to honor a widely-respected community leader, mentor, and friend. Lawrence E. ``Larry'' Stone served more than three decades as Santa Clara County Assessor, among his 47 years in public office. As Santa Clara County's longest-serving elected official, we celebrate his contributions upon his recent retirement. First elected to public office in 1975, Stone served on the Sunnyvale City Council for 16 years, including two terms as mayor. In 1994, voters elected him to the role of Santa Clara County Assessor. As Assessor, Stone supervised $8 billion in properly tax revenue and managed a roll of more than 500,000 properties, which incurred a 500 percent increase in value during his time in office. During his tenure, he returned $35 million to the county's general fund while adding only one person to the payroll. For thirty years--through economic booms and downturns alike--he consistently delivered complete, on-time assessment rolls within budget, earning stellar audit results and strengthening confidence in the office's performance. His work ensured transformative funding for our region's schools and communities. A tireless and deeply dedicated public servant, Stone was among the first to arrive at work and last to leave, often remarking that he preferred workdays to weekends. He instilled a strong sense of urgency within the office, pushing for efficiency, responsiveness, and customer service. In his final years in office, he modernized the Assessor's Office's outdated software and database, ensuring its ability to continue serving Santa Clara County into the future. As a leader, Stone welcomed discussion on major decisions, but once resolved, he acted decisively and expected others to move with equal urgency. While relishing the independence of elected office and enjoying the political process--never losing an election in his decades of service--he remained grounded in results, believing that strong performance was the best campaign. He stood up publicly for good government and reliably spoke out when powerful figures misused resources or misled the public. Among local elected officials, Stone is known as a political ``godfather.'' Politicians routinely ask him for advice and for support, and he became the go-to leader on dozens of commissions, task forces, and nonprofit boards. In 1990, he convened Silicon Valley power brokers to help Bill Clinton learn about tech and the innovation economy, which transformed into support for Clinton's winning presidential campaign. Later, Vice President Al Gore drew inspiration for ``reinventing government'' from reforms that Stone helped implement in Sunnyvale. Stone's forthrightness, quotable humor, and keen insights continue to attract reporters seeking someone who will say what nobody else has the courage to utter publicly. Stone and his gracious wife, Carmen, are sought-after guests at nonprofit events and generously support local causes, particularly the arts. Larry invests heavily in affordable housing projects throughout the region and repeatedly champions the region's efforts to build stadiums and land professional sports teams. Stone also continues to drive the Downtown San Jose Rotary Club, one of the largest and most actively philanthropic clubs in the Nation, where he served as a past president. Larry Stone spent his career elevating public service, and local government. He leaves his own service to Santa Clara County knowing that he made his community stronger than when he found it. His legacy of principled public service will benefit our community for generations. ____________________