[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 6 (Wednesday, January 20, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E52]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     IN TRIBUTE TO THE INSPIRED LIFE OF PUBLIC SERVANT BUD HARRISON

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. JACKIE SPEIER

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, January 20, 2010

  Ms. SPEIER. Madam Speaker, our Nation, and specifically, the San 
Francisco Peninsula, lost a true leader and dedicated public servant 
with the passing of A.C. ``Bud'' Harrison. Bud served his community in 
many ways. He was an appointed member of the San Mateo County Board of 
Supervisors and served twelve years on the Burlingame City Council, 
including three terms as Mayor.
  But Bud's greatest influence was as an educator. He was a favorite 
American Government teacher at both Capuchino and Burlingame High 
Schools before moving on to teach Political Science at the College of 
San Mateo. Over his 33-year career in the classroom, he not only taught 
government, but encouraged his students and fellow faculty to get 
involved. He even helped run the campaign of fellow Capuchino teacher 
Leo J. Ryan when he ran for the State Assembly. In fact, I remember 
then-Congressman Ryan telling the story of how he and Bud were 
responsible for getting the Capuchino marching band to perform at John 
F. Kennedy's Presidential Inauguration in Washington, DC in 1961. The 
story went, the two teachers flipped a coin to see who got to accompany 
the band and Leo won.
  Madam Speaker, Bud is a native son of San Francisco, a graduate of 
the University of San Francisco and a 48-year resident of Burlingame. 
With his loving wife of 56 years, Dolores, they raised four children--
Chuck, Mary, Terry and Cheri. And anyone who knew Bud was well aware of 
how proud he was of his six grandchildren and one great-grandson. The 
entire Harrison family deserves our gratitude for graciously sharing 
their husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather with so many 
others who benefited from his wisdom, good humor and generous spirit.
  Bud Harrison was no stranger to awards, having been honored by the 
Burlingame Lions Club as its 1997 Citizen of the Year, awarded the 
President's Award by the Burlingame Chamber of Commerce, named San 
Mateo County Citizen of the Year and received the Outstanding Citizen 
Award from Shinnyo-en USA.
  But awards and personal acclaim were never what Bud Harrison was 
about. First and foremost, he cared about the betterment of his 
community for his family, his students, and everyone who chose to make 
the Peninsula their home.
  Madam Speaker, not all of us leave an indelible mark on our community 
when our time on earth is done. There is no doubt that A.C. ``Bud'' 
Harrison did just that. We are all fortunate that Bud Harrison lived 
here and chose to give back so much to his community. I was privileged 
to call him a friend and confidant for nearly 30 years.

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