[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 56 (Monday, April 1, 2019)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E374]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 HONORING THE LIFE OF MRS. KARYN FOLEY

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                             HON. TED LIEU

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, April 1, 2019

  Mr. TED LIEU of California. Madam Speaker, today I rise to celebrate 
the life of Mrs. Karyn Foley, who passed away on March 9, 2019 at the 
age of 82. Karyn was a founding councilmember and the first woman to 
serve as mayor of the City of Calabasas, the most recent city to be 
incorporated in Los Angeles County.
  Born in Detroit, Michigan on July 17, 1936, Karyn moved to California 
with her family as an infant, settling in Los Angeles. She attended 
local public schools in the Mid-Wilshire neighborhood before graduating 
from the University of California, Los Angeles, where she received her 
degree in physical education.
  Karyn married James Foley in July 1969, and with their minds focused 
on where best to raise their new family, they moved in 1976 to 
Calabasas, then part of unincorporated Los Angeles County. Karyn was a 
community activist and engaged citizen from the moment she arrived, 
whether as a volunteer parent and part-time substitute teacher with the 
Las Virgenes Unified School District or president of the Round Meadow 
Elementary Parent Teacher Association. She and James also played a 
crucial role in the early years of the Calabasas Park Homeowners 
Association, with both serving as president and organizing summer 
activities like lakeside races and pet contests.
  Karyn's leadership in the effort to push for cityhood for Calabasas 
was pivotal in the success of the campaign. This decade long effort 
culminated in the city's incorporation in 1991 as the 88th city in Los 
Angeles County and 466th in the State of California. She served on the 
Calabasas City Council from 1991 to 1997 and was the first woman to 
serve as mayor, from 1994 to 1995.
  Even after leaving office, Karyn remained involved in civic 
government and helped foster the city's cultural institutions, serving 
on the City's first Library Commission, as well as getting involved in 
the Art in Public Places Committee, Friends of the Calabasas Library, 
Friends of the Calabasas Orchestra, and the Calabasas Players 
Theatrical Group.
  Karyn is survived by her husband of 49 years, James; daughter, Megan 
and son, Patrick; and three grandchildren. I hope that Karyn's family 
takes comfort in knowing her passion for public service, visionary 
leadership, and remarkable compassion will live on in the unique 
identity that Calabasas has developed over the past three decades.

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