[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 177 (Wednesday, December 19, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2334]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   IN HONOR OF MARY LOU WEISS UPON HER RETIREMENT FROM HERMOSA BEACH 
                              SCHOOL BOARD

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JANE HARMAN

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, December 18, 2001

  Ms. HARMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a good friend, Mary 
Lou Weiss, who retires this month from the Hermosa Beach Unified School 
District Board of Trustees, on which she has served as Trustee for 16 
years, including 6 tours as President.
  In her capacity as a School Board Trustee, Mary Lou has been a strong 
advocate for Hermosa Beach children, helping to ensure they receive the 
best educational opportunities. Because of her knowledge and expertise, 
I asked her to serve on my Education Advisory Committee.
  A long time resident of Hermosa Beach, Mary Lou has contributed to 
the community in so many other ways as well. She has served as an 
advisory member for the Hermosa Beach Chamber of Commerce, coached AYSO 
boys soccer, and served on the advisory board for the Hermosa Beach 
Education Foundation. For her active contributions, she was named 1989 
Hermosa Beach Woman of the Year.
  Of special interest, she has managed several local farmers' markets, 
making sure the vendors get the space they need and that the markets 
run smoothly. I have taken advantage of these markets many times--
during my campaigns, the farmers' markets have always been a great way 
to reach a lot of people, and as a member of Congress, my staff and I 
often bring our office resources to the community by setting up our own 
booth. Mary Lou not only accommodates these important visits for me, 
but she is always thoughtful enough to provide flowers and to remember 
that I like Diet Coke.
  Mary Lou also is a tremendous resource to my staff, always available 
to answer questions about policy, politics, or which vendor has the 
best produce. My staff members over the years consider Mary Lou as an 
additional ``mother.''
  This year, Mary Lou chose not to run for another term as a School 
Board Trustee in order to apply her years of experience to a run for 
Hermosa Beach City Council. Although she was not successful in this 
endeavor, she once again demonstrated her leadership and commitment to 
the community through the classy way she ran her campaign,
  I will miss Mary Lou on the School Board, but I know we will continue 
to work together to ensure that we do the best we can for the children 
of our community. I join the citizens of Hermosa Beach in wishing Mary 
Lou and her family well in their future endeavors.]

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