[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 106 (Friday, July 15, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1338]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    HONORING THE LIFE OF RAMONA HAHN

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. LAURA RICHARDSON

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, July 15, 2011

  Ms. RICHARDSON. Mr. Speaker, it is my sad duty to rise today to 
inform the House of the death of Mrs. Ramona Hahn. The wife of 
legendary Los Angeles County supervisor Kenneth Hahn, Ramona was the 
proud matriarch of a family whose members have devoted their lives to 
public service. Ramona Hahn passed away on Monday morning at the age of 
86--a mere day before her daughter Janice was elected to join us in 
this body, representing California's 36th Congressional District. My 
deepest condolences go out to our new colleague, Congresswoman Janice 
Hahn, and the entire Hahn family, as they mourn the loss of a devoted 
wife and loving mother. Ramona was a great lady; she was my friend.
  Born to American missionaries in Tokyo, Japan, Ramona Hahn was a 
service-minded individual who committed her life to God and family. 
Ramona has been described by her children as the ``driving force'' 
behind their family of public servants. She worked hand in hand with 
her husband as he fought to improve the lives of his constituents. She 
provided strength and support as he took bold stands for civil rights, 
including the decision to greet Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. at LAX when 
he visited Los Angeles in 1961. He was the only elected official from 
California to do so. This act of political courage has never been 
forgotten, but is in keeping with the character and commitment that has 
been the hallmark of the Hahn family for more than a half century.
  Ramona's community involvement and selfless attitude was a powerful 
example for her two children. Her son James Hahn has served as Los 
Angeles City Controller, Los Angeles City Attorney, and Mayor of Los 
Angeles, and is currently a judge on the Los Angeles County Superior 
Court. Her daughter Janice Hahn has served in the Los Angeles City 
Council and on the Los Angeles Charter Reform Commission, which 
modernized Los Angeles city government, making it more responsive to 
the city's diversity and challenges. In the coming days, she will be 
sworn in on the House floor.
  I know that the entire Hahn family wishes that Ramona could have 
lived to see her daughter sworn in as a member of the U.S. House of 
Representatives. For Janice, the loss of her mother must make this 
monumental achievement bittersweet. However, I hope that Janice and her 
family can take comfort in the knowledge that their mother's loving 
spirit lives on through the lives that she touched and the good works 
that Janice will do in this body.
  I ask all Members to join me in a moment of silence in honor of the 
memory of the late Ramona Hahn.

                          ____________________