[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 48 (Thursday, March 25, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E481-E482]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                           HANNA BOYS CENTER

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. MIKE THOMPSON

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 25, 2010

  Mr. THOMPSON of California. Madam Speaker, I rise today along with my 
colleague,

[[Page E482]]

Congresswoman Lynn Woolsey, to recognize and honor Hanna Boys Center, 
which has been providing a home and education to students in Northern 
California for 60 years.
  The school began as an experimental program for neglected and 
troubled boys in 1944 in Menlo Park, south of San Francisco. The 25 
original students were referred to the new school by social service 
agencies and parish priests. The demand quickly outweighed the physical 
resources of the small school and after a very successful speaking 
tour, enough funds were raised to purchase 157 acres in the Sonoma 
Valley, the school's home today.
  By 1949, classrooms, an administration building, a chapel, gymnasium, 
swimming pool and one residence hall had been completed. The first 
students entered the Sonoma Valley campus by the end of that year. 
Today 109 boys ages 13 to 18 call the campus home.
  Although Hanna students come to the school from throughout the 
country, most are from our combined Congressional districts. Many are 
from troubled homes.
  There is a fully accredited high school on campus and all students 
can participate in woodshop, choir, soccer, baseball, track and 
basketball. Football is provided at nearby Sonoma Valley High School.
  Thirty-four Hanna graduates are currently serving in the military. 
Graduates include very successful businessmen and civic leaders or 
simply men who live quiet lives of contribution and contentment.
  Only three directors have piloted the school in its 60-year history, 
founder Monsignor O'Connor for 23 years, Father James Pulskamp for 12 
years and Father John Crews for the past 25 years, a testament itself 
to the loyalty the school inspires.
  Madam Speaker, Hanna Boys Center changes lives. It has been a 
stabilizing influence on hundreds of young men who have passed through 
its doors. It is therefore, appropriate that we honor the school for 60 
years of dedicated service to our community.

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