[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 34 (Thursday, March 23, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E406-E407]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    HONORING KATHRYN ELIZABETH GRANAHAN DURING WOMEN'S HISTORY MONTH

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. JOSEPH M. HOEFFEL

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 23, 2000

  Mr. HOEFFEL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate Women's History 
Month by recognizing the contributions of an important figure from my 
home area. Kathryn Elizabeth Granahan had an extensive career in public 
service as a former Congresswoman and Treasurer of the United States.

[[Page E407]]

  Kathryn Granahan first served as supervisor of public assistance in 
the Pennsylvania State Auditor General's Department and the liaison 
officer between that department and the Department of Public 
Assistance. She also was a member of the national board of the Woman's 
Medical College of Pennsylvania. She forayed into national politics as 
a delegate to the Democratic National Convention in 1960. Kathryn 
Granahan was first elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1956 
by a special election held after her husband, representative William 
Thomas Granahan, passed away. She filled the vacancy for that Congress 
and then was elected three more times, serving a total of eight years.
  Kathryn Granahan, the first woman elected to Congress from the 
Philadelphia area, demonstrated leadership and resolve during her time 
in this body. She eventually became Chairman of the House Post Office 
and Civil Service Subcommittee on Postal Operations and took the lead 
in sponsoring important and controversial legislation. Kathryn Granahan 
was at the forefront of the fight against pornography in the mail. She 
introduced legislation to increase criminal penalties for perpetrators 
who sought to send pornographic material in the mail and she 
strengthened the power of the Post Office to impound such mail. She 
also contributed to the Supreme Court guidelines on obesity.
  Kathryn Granahan served on the Committee on the District of Columbia, 
the Committee on Government Operations, and the Committee on Post 
Office and Civil Service. Among other important votes for housing for 
veterans, an increase in wages for federal employees and increased 
funding for federal agencies, she voted for the monumental Civil Rights 
Act of 1957.
  After the 1960 Census it was determined that Philadelphia would lose 
one of its seats in the House of Representatives. Her seat was chosen 
for elimination. However, as compensation, President Kennedy appointed 
Kathryn Granahan as Treasurer of the United States. She served as 
Treasurer for three years before resigning in October of 1966 due to 
health reasons. She passed away in Morristown, Pennsylvania in July, 
1979.
  I am proud to acknowledge Kathryn Granahan and her accomplishments, 
both for Pennsylvania and for Women's History Month.

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