[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 122 (Tuesday, September 17, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1323-E1324]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 HONORING THE HONORABLE ELIHU M. HARRIS

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. BARBARA LEE

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Tuesday, September 17, 2013

  Ms. LEE of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the 
extraordinary career of the Honorable Elihu Harris as we celebrate over 
30 years of his dedicated public service and accomplishments. Mr. 
Harris continues to be a celebrated individual, and we join together in 
praise of his remarkable contributions to the Bay Area, California, and 
our great nation.
  Born Elihu Mason Harris in Los Angeles, California on August 15, 
1947, Mr. Harris grew up in Berkeley, California and graduated from 
Berkeley High School in 1965. He received his B.A degree in Political 
Science at California State University, Hayward (East Bay), and went on 
to earn an M.A. from the Graduate School of Public Policy at the 
University of California, Berkeley. Mr. Harris received his J.D. from 
the University of California, Davis in 1972.
  Mr. Harris' esteemed career has spanned over four decades as an 
attorney at law, politician, and community college administrator. He 
became a senior partner for the firm of Harris, Alexander and Burris in 
1978 for twelve years. He was an instructor teaching at various higher 
education institutions in the Bay Area, and later served on staff for 
Congresswoman Yvonne Burke and Assemblymember John Miller. In 1975, he 
was appointed as the Executive Director of the National Bar Association 
before forging his legacy in California politics. In 1978, Mr. Harris 
was elected to the California State Assembly to represent the 13th 
District. During his thirteen year tenure, he chaired the Joint 
Legislative Audit Committee, served as Chair of the Select Committees, 
and was a member of the Judiciary Committee as well as the 
Transportation, Health, Labor and Ways and Means, subcommittees on 
Education and Finance. In 1981, Mr. Harris authored the historic 
legislation that designated Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s birthday a 
California state holiday. The Oakland Elihu M. Harris State Office 
Building was dedicated in his honor in 1998.
  From 1991 to 1999, Mr. Harris served as Mayor of Oakland. In that 
role, Mr. Harris helped to restore and strengthen Oakland following the 
devastating aftermath of both the Loma Prieta earthquake and Oakland 
Hills Firestorm. He developed Oakland Sharing the Vision, a community 
strategic plan involving Oaklanders setting goals and objectives for 
the City. He also established community policing for Oakland 
neighborhoods, and created new city programs and initiatives to improve 
the community such as Oakland Healthy Cities and Camp Read-A-Lot, one 
of the many education endeavors he supported in office.
  In 2000, Mr. Harris was appointed by Governor Gray Davis to serve as 
a board member on the California Unemployment Insurance Appeals Board. 
From there, Mr. Harris was appointed in 2003 as interim Chancellor of 
the Peralta Community College District before receiving the post on a 
permanent basis in 2004. During his term as Chancellor, Mr. Harris was 
a strong supporter for students and championed equal access to 
education for all. He served in this capacity until 2010.
  Throughout his prolific career, Mr. Harris has been an ardent 
advocate for social justice and civil rights. The Martin Luther King 
Jr. Freedom Center and Merritt College has recognized Mr. Harris' 
contributions and aptly named its lecture series program as ``The 
Barbara Lee and Elihu Harris Lecture Series.''
  On a personal note, Elihu has been my brother and my friend since the 
early 70's. He has been my trusted confidant and provides honest 
feedback and constantly ``watches my back''. For this and so much more, 
I am deeply grateful.
  Therefore, on behalf of California's 13th Congressional District, the 
Honorable Elihu Harris, I salute you. Your over 30 years of public 
service have made an indelible mark in our community. Best wishes to 
you and your loved ones in the years to come.

[[Page E1324]]



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