[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 164 (Wednesday, December 19, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1953-E1954]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   IN RECOGNITION OF CHRISTINE KROLIK

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. JACKIE SPEIER

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, December 18, 2012

  Ms. SPEIER. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor Christine Krolik, retiring 
Hillsborough city council member, former mayor, and tireless advocate 
for our public schools and many community organizations.
  Christine moved to Hillsborough in 1995 with her husband Jeff and two 
sons, John and Billy. She immediately immersed herself in work to 
improve the public school system by advocating for smaller class sizes. 
She combined two of her outstanding talents in this effort: singing and 
fundraising. While she co-chaired the Scrip Committee from 1996-2000, 
she launched the Scripettes singers to promote sales. The four 
Scripettes performed jazzy versions of holiday songs including ``Jingle 
Bell Rock,'' ``Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas'' and ``Swingin' 
at Santa's Place.'' Today the group calls itself Swing Set and 
continues to delight people at civic functions from singing the 
National Anthem at Giants' games to warming up the crowd at 
Hillsborough's Light Up the Town celebrations.
  Christine's boundless energy has been successfully put to use as co-
chair of Hillsborough Concourse events in 2001, co-chair of the Measure 
B campaign to benefit Hillsborough's public schools in 2002, and the 
Citizens Communication Advisory Committee appointed by the mayor to 
help the city council and town staff to communicate with residents 
about issues affecting the town, also in 2002.
  Christine was first elected to the city council in 2004. From 2006-
2008, she served as vice mayor, and from 2008-2010 she served as mayor. 
During her 2010 term, she oversaw Hillsborough's Centennial, a 
flawlessly orchestrated celebration featuring marching bands, floats 
and vintage cars, and the dedication of Centennial Park. That year 
Christine was appropriately honored for her countless contributions as 
Hillsborough Citizen of the Year.
  Christine is a firm believer that a strong sense of community is 
vital in a city and improves quality of life. While mayor, she embarked 
on an ambitious agenda to develop a

[[Page E1954]]

Hillsborough emergency preparedness program, the Hillsborough 
Neighborhood Network, an outdoor movie night, adult classes at Town 
Hall and the first ever Hillsborough Memorial Day Parade.
  Her remarkable contributions to the Town have been matched by her 
generous support of many important community organizations. Christine 
serves as president and board member of Innvision/Shelter Network 
providing transitional housing to homeless families, veterans and 
single adults. She is past president and present board member of 
Hillbarn Theatre providing valuable cultural programming in the county.
  A native of Philadelphia, Christine earned her BA in Theater from 
Arcadia University, and she is a graduate of the conservatory at 
Circle-in-the-Square School of Theatre in New York. She is an 
accomplished actress in amateur productions and has played memorable 
roles such as Adelaide in Guys and Dolls and Dolly in Hello, Dolly.
  The vitality, creativity and enthusiasm that Christine has brought to 
the city council for eight years will certainly be missed. She has 
created a standard of community engagement which will be an inspiration 
to her successors.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask the House of Representatives to rise with me to 
honor one of the finest local elected officials of San Mateo County, 
Christine Krolik. I am honored to call her one of my best friends. She 
has dedicated herself to the betterment of her fellow residents and our 
beautiful town. At a white elephant Christmas party a year ago, 
Christine fought for a superman costume--a fitting symbol of a person 
who has committed her life to helping other survive and thrive.

                          ____________________