[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 37 (Tuesday, April 9, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E469]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


           IN CELEBRATION OF THE CAREER OF HON. DEE HARDISON

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JANE HARMAN

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, April 9, 2002

  Ms. HARMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise to celebrate the distinguished career 
of a spectacular individual--the Honorable Dee Hardison, who steps down 
today as mayor of the City of Torrance.
  Mayor Hardison, whom I fondly and proudly call my ``sister,'' and I 
have worked together closely over the last decade to serve the citizens 
of Torrance and the greater South Bay community of Los Angeles County. 
Whether it was fighting to keep the Los Angeles Air Force base right 
where it is, to prevent a geographic split in the 310 telephone area 
code, or to support the Torrance public school system, I have always 
treasured Dee's advice, passion, dedication and, most importantly, her 
hands-on approach. And speaking of dedication, Mr. Speaker, how many 
mayors do you know who would continue a 40-mile bike ride after 
tumbling off her bike during the first leg? Well, that is exactly what 
Mayor Hardison did one year during my biannual campaign bike ride!
  But besides biking, being a good friend, and reaching the ``gold 
standard'' of wife, mother and grandmother, Mayor Hardison has devoted 
so much of her energy to her community. For nearly three decades, Dee 
shepherded thousands of young people through the Torrance Unified 
School District, including many years as a special education teacher. 
While a teacher, she was appointed to the City of Torrance's Planning 
Commission and Parks and Recreation Commission. In 1986, she 
successfully ran for a seat on the City Council and served there for 
eight years. Having reached the limits on terms of service, she then 
successfully ran for Mayor, a post she has held with distinction and 
grace.
  While holding all these ``day jobs,'' Dee still found time to devote 
to many important community organizations, including--but certainly not 
limited to--the Torrance Cultural Arts Center Foundation, the Torrance 
Education Foundation, the Torrance Sister City Association, the Rose 
Float Association, and the Torrance League of Women Voters. Finally, 
Dee distinguished herself as a regional leader, recently completing a 
tour as Chair of the South Bay Cities Council of Governments, which has 
been instrumental in developing regional solutions to the area's 
transportation challenges.
  Mr. Speaker, I will miss having Dee as the Mayor of the largest 
independent city in my district. But I know she will continue to be an 
active leader in the community be a ready source of advice and counsel. 
With more spare time, I hope she is improving her biking skills and 
will join me again this fall on the bike trail.

                          ____________________