1927. he is been married 59 years to his lovely wife mabel. he is the father of three boys and one girl. his daughter of genejanette helo run the family business in san francisco. our hearts go out to his family and his nine grandchildren. i would like to take a minute to remember john. he has not been well for a couple of months now. as been an incredible force here on the waterfront. we're very much in his debt. that concludes my report. >> thank you for that. i want to share some thoughts with the family the family has been integral and a part of history at fisherman's wharf. we hope they continue with their longstanding business and relationship in the community.

thank you for bringing that to our attention. did you have something you wanted to share? >> thank you. i am tom creden. i want to thank the commissioners, rodney, and my landlord. i have known john for quite some time. what office looks straight over at the fishery. i always knew everything was fine when he was out surveying the whole situation. some of the things i think were missed in the bio were that i think they were the last participants in the whaling industry in this area. the other thingé)q is that becae of the whaling industry, he was in the tallow business.

modesto tallow was his. caelliott will probably tell you that during his regime, john made sure it was modesto tallow& that did the pick up. john was instrumental in starting the leases at pier 45. people had been strong in saying that nobody could afford to pay the rent at the port was going to ask for those spaces. john stepped forward and said that he was thin. he was passionate about his business. there were a lot of folks loyal to john. i would go to visit him. he was always excited to show me his new filet line or whenever he had going. he probably handled more

salmon than anyone else did at fisherman's wharf. to be brief since i was at his memorial mass this morning, they said the final thing was that his favorite things were work, family, having family meals, and being in charge. [applause] [laughter] thank you. >> any other comments? murany other comment on the director's report? ok. >> request approval of the resolution awarding of michael hardeman the rank of commander. so moved. >> all .

[laughter] >> would you like me to begin? 16 years. we have a bunch of hardware. the port commission is able to present a lot of these things. this is the biggest one we have come across. there is a lot of writing on here. i would like to read a couple of excerpts of this. the maritime order of merit for port commissioner michael hardeman>uk. he has served with distinction since 1994. that includes four years as president, two years as vice president. he was instrumental in providing direction and guidance to the port staff for the successful negotiation and development of numerous projects including and

not limited to the san francisco giants ballpark, thefñ renovatin of the ferry building, the renovation of the pier 1 ++ additional peers, the construction of the bridge, and the public boat launch at pier 52, taylor street improvements, and the pier 43 improvement project. the port commissioner has supported the port staff in decisions and policies, always keeping with the port's best interests at heart. the port commission and staff here by express appreciation,

best wishes, and sincere gratitude to michael hardeman. be it resolved that the san francisco port commission recognizes commissioner hardeman's lasting contributions to the port and waterfront community by conferring upon him the maritime border with the rank of commander. [applause] [unintelligible] [no audio] [unintelligible] >> we also have a beautiful placque that reads, "in appreciation to michael

hardeman was serving on the port commission for 16 years. he was president for four years and vice-president in 2004 and 2005." [applause] [no audio] [unintelligible]

>> but wait, there is more. [laughter] >> unless you think this is something we just made up, we actually have a medal that i will give you. it also has something else with it. we expect you to wear to all appropriate occasions. [laughter] [unintelligible] >> the order of [unintelligible] wow. [laughter]

[laughter] >> i am guessing we have a couple of speakers. >> i will be first. somebody else can be good. [laughter] i never knew who mike was until he was appointed to the commission, but he happens to come to calamari club almost every friday, except taking off for summer and holidays. it gave me the opportunity that i could vent without calling the port director or irritating someone else. he thought he was coming down to smoke a cigar and relax. i would go down there and sort of break everything.

we had this conversation with a couple of other people before the meeting started. being a native san franciscan, i always enjoy working with native san franciscans. we have something in common. we understand. like i told someone earlier today, you do not know someone in the city, he will not get anything done. mike was not influential in taking any of my ideas or anything, but he sure gave me an opportunity to vent and keep me in touch with what was going on. the my connection with fish wag, i have a little bit more interest. my areas of concern are broader than the restaurant. it has been a pleasure dealing with mike all these years. just because he is leaving the port does not mean he is off the hook. he still coming down to smoke a cigar.

we will have other things. thank you very much. [laughter] [applause] >> on behalf of the san francisco giants baseball team, we would like to commend my for all of his dedication and service to the port commission and for being such a great friend and supporter of ours throughout our journey in the waterfront. he may not b the they're more ar today as a fan. we're having the american idol tryouts at the ballpark today. i want to give a heartfelt thanks to you and all of the people who have been at the ballpark since we opened it, for your contributions. [applause] >> i am harold. i have known michael since before he was the port commissioner. we became friends in 1988 when we both unsuccessfully ran for

the board of supervisors. we went around the circuit of candidates nights. we became good friends. and know him from the calamari and the godfather's forum. we love you very much. we're very proud of you, commander. [applause] >> they are fighting over you, mike. >> i represent the san francisco forum. michael is a member of the san francisco forum. michael, we're very proud of you. continue the good work. [applause] >> i am the class of 1932 when

prohibition was voted out. my first contact with michael caine about 25 years ago. since then, we've gotten into a lot of areas. i do not think this is a part of his life that comes out. it is his service to the poor. he was always ready without a qualm to say, "sure, i will do it." we've been close friends for the last 25 years. i would like to congratulate him. i am a native san consistent as well. thank you. -- i am a native sentences tha - san franciscan. thank you. >> you have done a terrific job. i hope you enjoy everything going forward. thanks again. [applause]

>> i am from the port staff. i may be one of the relative few who were here for the whole 16 years that you were on the commission. we watched as waterfront grow and become what it has become. it is largely because of your love for the san francisco and the waterfront, all of the support you provided the staff to help us bring about changes that you created and to weather through some of the bumps along the road. i think you learned how to put out a lot of fires. going to the fire commission, a good move. thank you. [applause] >> commissioner, congratulations. i think the entire commission has heard it over and over from

the port staff, but we are really lucky, the people working for the city, to have such a great commission. it really feels like we're working on the same team towards the same objectives. you have always been so attentive to all of the items that we bring to you and help desk problem-solve when there were particularly thorny issues. we appreciate that. we wish you luck with the fire commission. we are a little bit jealous of the firefighters in the city. they have a great commissioner coming their way. we look forward to seeing you at the calamari club. [applause] >> commander and commissioner,

susan reynolds, director of real estate. personally and on behalf of the real-estate department, thank you very much for all of your support. i hope to see you and for rena continue to come to rue fisherman's wharf events. i have enjoyed visiting with both of you. thank you for all the contributions you made to support -- to the port. it must feel good to walk up and down the porch and see what legacy you are leaving behind. thank you very much. [applause] >> commissioner, tom carter from maintenance. my staff is very grateful for the 16 years. they always looked to you when there were issues that needed to come before the commission. you always supported them. for that, i thank you for my staff and myself.

we wish you well as the fire department. thank you. [applause] >> commissioners, our lieutenant commander was a way this week, otherwise i know he would have wanted to pass on our gratitude from the maritime division. over the past 16 years, we have looked upon you as always there to support labor in our shipyards, which employs over 200 full-time union laborers, always supported of visiting ships, and fleet week, the festivals and events. you boys been very supportive of the fishing industry to do you

have always been very supportive of the fishing industry in did you have always been very supportive of the fishing industry. you have always been supportive of our recreational boating. that is an area we can hopefully grow further in the future thanks to the seeds that you have sown. with the wind be always at your back, may your seas always be calm, and mayor voyages always be delightful. thank you very much. [applause] >> i am a native san francisc an as well. i have watched anhim at st. vincent boys' school. they were very supportive of the schools.

he always supported what the san francisco labor council did with education and everything else. everywhere i have gone and seen him, whatever it is, it has been over 20 something years. who is maintaining tradition and improving things? michael is our president of the form. everywhere michael goes, he brings himself and his heart. he does not know how to say no. thank you for all you have done for the city. thank you very much. [applause] >> commissioners?

>> my turn. it is really hard for me to believe that you are really leaving. i was appointed to the commission 13 years ago this month. mike was one of the first people i met. he came to the swearing-in. he was president of the commission of the time. he welcomed me on to the commission. he became a friend, mentor, and role model. for me, it is hard to believe he will not be here when i come back in two weeks. i am going to miss mike. he has been such a wonderful person. he is truly a dedicated public servant. the fire commission is extremely lucky to get him. congratulations. [applause] >> mike is part of the institutional memory, helping to put matters in perspective because of his longevity on the commission. i have always admired his loyalty to the port and

waterfront and his unflagging energy for everything going on down here. even though he has gotten over a lot of hurdles, he is never lost the spirit for doing the right thing. he is an inspiration for all of us. i am sure he will continue to be even as he gets comfortable in his new role. we wish you all of the best. maybe we will find a reason to have a joint commission meeting at some point. >> i have enjoyed our time serving together for the last four years out of your 16. it offered a very kind act when i first came on board. we shared some time and a giants game. he gave me the way of the land. i thought that was very thoughtful. every time i mentioned to someone i am with the port commission, they say that it is mike hardeman's commission. you have been associated with

the port and i expect that to continue for years to come. congratulations to you. we will miss you. i am sure you will do fantastic work over there as well. congratulations. [applause] >> commissioner, if i may? i am really sad that you are leaving. you were one of the first commissioner's the welcome to me here when i first got here. i really appreciate your support, help, and leadership drought years and looking out for us. thank you. i do have some last business for you before you go. [laughter] it has to do with disclosure. where is jack. -- where is jet? >-- where is jack? >> i will add my comments as well. we get to call you might now.

that is pretty cool. -- we get to call you mike now. that is pretty cool. you have donated your life every of the weekend to the port of san francisco. i heard to say that was a new record, but barely a new record. we are so fortunate in the city and particularly care of the poor to have people as dedicated as you. commissioner and commander hardeman. we hope you will come back. a lot of your work is still under way. we will be welcoming ships in october. we will be breaking ground for the exploreatorium. we hope that you and your heirs will look with great pride on your legacy. the blood going across the street to the fire department. we will miss you. -- good luck going across the

street to the fire department. we will miss you. [applause] >> well, when all of these folks have received awards and said goodbye, you sit in those seats and think someday that will be neat if you live long enough. i have lived long enough to be thrown out orszag on my way. [laughter] it was not quite thrown off. but mayor newsom thought i did not have the big enough challenge down here and should move on to something else. after 16 years, when i open an agenda or review things, it does become quite easy compared to the first few years. he was right there. many thanks for the lunch today. thank you for the people you invited. i really appreciate that. to every speaker, i appreciate that. i know how hard it is to give a

time. thank you. tom representing the fisherman's wharf area, i love fisherman's wharf. i like to see how wonderful everybody is down there, all of the staff and people. it is a great spot. i am so glad to a been a bigger part of it. all the things said in my commander's proclamation, the dry dock is something we're happy about, the recycling. the top of the list is definitely giants ballpark. to me, that is to highlight region that is the highlight. working with people like jack bauer.

he is incredible. they honored the employees they have had for over 20 years. it is amazing how many. it is like the port staff and port itself. people come to the port. it is a good job. it should be a good job. >> i guess there is 15 commissioners. now, it will be 16 for sure, but there is a pretty good location, a pretty good opportunity for people to be a commissioner because it averages, like, a new one every year almost, which is terrific. dianne feinstein gave me my first appointment. so i will always be grateful to her. we have become good friends, and

i got another appointment from her, human rights commission. then, mayor jordan appointed me to this commission. prior, he had appointed me to public utilities. then, mayer brown, to me, is the biggest hero on the waterfront. his dynamic personality and leadership and charisma and fortitude -- whatever you call it -- the driving force was really instrumental in the whole waterfront. then, there -- mayor newsom. i had a hunch that the last time he appointed me, it would be the last appointment to the board. he was very open with that. but i did not share that with anybody until just now. [laughter] commander -- my father's brother is a commander. he is a hero.

fortunately, he survived and became a commander and now lives in denver and moved out of the bay area about 20 years ago, so i'm going to have to tell him there is another commander in the family. so i'm trying to make sure, earlier today, my mentor was at the luncheon. he had to leave, but john is my eldest, dearest, labor mentor. leroy king from the longshoreman was my mentor, especially after jimmy herman died. jimmy was just the best. the love to sit next to jimmy at meetings, and he was a real guiding force. passing jimmy herman and terry bridges. i hope to see when commissioner

brandon passes me. that would be good. he takes second place. i hope i did not leave anybody out. it has been fun. i love it. i loved serving as commissioner. those wonderful people, ernestine white, who probably attended more meetings than any other commissioner, so, ernestine, thank you for all your opinions, and we took it serious. and when tom said earlier that -- we definitely care what he said, but i listened -- no, that is not true. the person on the waterfront that always made the most sense was tom. since he does it from his heart, he does for the right thing, and he will accept any challenge, and, tom, you are the best. i appreciate that. i have to leave now because