[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 89 (Thursday, June 24, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1231-E1232]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      RECOGNIZING KAREN HIRAI OLEN

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. HILDA L. SOLIS

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 23, 2004

  Ms. SOLIS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize a true champion and 
extraordinary public servant, Karen Hirai Olen. Karen has provided an 
array of services throughout Los Angeles County as an advocate for the 
physically challenged, impoverished families, and senior citizens. 
After 35 years of service to the residents of Los Angeles County, she 
will retire today.
  I have personally known Karen and consider her to be a dear friend 
and advocate of social change. Karen began her career in 1968 as a 
Social Worker for the Los Angeles County Department of Public Social 
Services. Karen's passion to ensure the rights of children led her to 
become a Children's Services Worker from 1969 to 1979. From 1982 to 
1986, Karen served as the Director of the Carson/Samoan center where 
she brought a new approach and innovative concepts to providing 
extensive quality services, such as the Peace Corps funded Samoan Youth 
Employment Project which she directed and implemented.
  From 1986 to 1988, Karen also served as Project Director for Foodnet 
where she led a grassroots effort in organizing faith-based 
organizations and social service agencies to join forces to provide 
nutritious food to impoverished families.
  Karen was later named Director of Centro Maravilla Service Center by 
the Department of Community and Senior Services for the County of Los 
Angeles. Through her leadership, residents from Los Angeles County have 
received direct services such as emergency

[[Page E1232]]

food, mediation services, crisis intervention, resource information for 
victims of domestic violence, and case management for housing.
  The residents from the East Los Angeles community greatly respect and 
admire Karen for her courage, leadership, and compassion. I wish her 
the very best in her retirement.

                          ____________________