[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 88 (Monday, June 14, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1092]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  CONGRESSIONAL RECOGNITION FOR ORA MAE HARN, THE FIRST LADY OF MARANA

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. GABRIELLE GIFFORDS

                               of arizona

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, June 14, 2010

  Ms. GIFFORDS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Ora Mae Harn, 
the First Lady of Marana, Arizona, who on June 10th will be honored at 
the Marana Council Chambers for her work to establish the Marana 
Heritage Conservancy.
  Ora Mae Harn is the former mayor and current town historian of 
Marana, a fast-growing community in the northwestern corner of 
Arizona's 8th Congressional District. Those two titles, however, do not 
even come close to describing the extraordinary impact that Ora Mae has 
had on her hometown.
  Ora Mae is one of the most prominent voices and faces of Marana. She 
is well-known as a tireless champion for the citizens of Marana and 
their interests. If any one person can embody the community spirit that 
defines Marana, it is Ora Mae Ham.
  The residents of Marana acknowledge the contributions of Ora Mae 
every time they play a ball game, use a grill or go for a stroll at Ora 
Mae Harn Park. Having a park named after her is one way that her 
grateful community expresses appreciation for all she has done to 
implement the vision that has made Marana such a wonderful place to 
live, work and raise a family.
  Ora Mae was a member of the Marana Town Council and served as mayor 
for eight years. As a public servant, her commitment and dedication to 
the betterment of Marana always were obvious. Under her wise 
leadership, the town grew from an agricultural community to the family-
friendly town it is today.
  When Ora Mae moved to Marana in 1961, she immediately became involved 
in civic life. Early on she worked for the Marana Unified School 
District driving a school bus and cooked in the school cafeteria. She 
helped found and worked at the Marana Health Center and she still helps 
the center with fundraising to this day. She also has served as the 
president of the Arizona Women in Municipal Government and as a 
representative to the Pima Association of Governments.
  Ora Mae's activism went beyond the corridors of government. She 
applied her well-honed organizational skills to Marana's Founder's Day 
Committee, the Sister Cities Program, Yoem Pueblo Rehabilitation 
Project and the Lot Beautification Program. She also was instrumental 
in the formation of the Marana Food Bank.
  Today, in addition to serving as the town historian, Ora Mae heads 
the Marana Heritage Conservancy, which aims to preserve and enhance the 
town's past. Given her longstanding association with and deep love for 
Marana, there is no better person for that important job.
  Recently the Marana Town Council entered into an Intergovernmental 
Agreement with the Marana Heritage Conservancy. This unanimous decision 
affirmed the credibility of the Conservancy and Ora Mae's efforts to 
develop an organization that will ensure that the history of Marana is 
preserved and shared with current and future residents of the Town.
  Town Manager Gilbert Davidson summed up how much this decision by the 
Town Council is attributable to Ora Mae's leadership. He wrote: 
``Former Mayor Ora Mae Harn played a crucial role in getting the 
Conservancy to this point. She has been a Marana champion for many 
years, and it was her hard work that helped create the Conservancy. Ora 
Mae is one of a kind and a true inspiration. Her dedication to the 
Town's progress helped put Marana on the map and made us the 
outstanding community we are today.''
  On behalf of the citizens of Marana and myself, I commend Ora Mae 
Harn and thank her for the more than four decades she has devoted to 
the Town of Marana. There is no doubt that her legacy will endure, as 
her town continues to grow and prosper in the decades to come. Because 
of her work, Marana will always remember its rich history. She is truly 
Marana's Heritage Ambassador.

                          ____________________