[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 66 (Thursday, April 18, 2019)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E479]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               IN RECOGNITION OF LAUREL BLACKETT MIRANDA

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. JACKIE SPEIER

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 18, 2019

  Ms. SPEIER. Madam Speaker, I rise to honor Laurel Miranda who is 
receiving the Citizen of the Year and Community Care Award from the 
Associated Parents' Group of Hillsborough for her tireless work 
improving the lives of children of all abilities.
  For twelve years, Laurel was instrumental in shaping the Hillsborough 
City Student District Special Education Program to include parent 
representation, field trips and a science overnight. It is an inclusive 
educational experience with opportunities on par with the General 
Education Program. In addition, she was active in all other aspects of 
school life, including the parent group boards at South and Crocker 
schools and Art in Action. She served as president of both the 
Hillsborough Schools Foundation and the Associated Parents' Group of 
Hillsborough.
  Laurel's intelligence, thoughtfulness, generosity and practicality 
have earned her the admiration and respect of teachers, staff, parents 
and students alike. She knows how to get things done.
  In her advocacy for children of all abilities, she co-founded Special 
Kids Parents Group of Hillsborough and was president for three years. 
The group worked collaboratively with the superintendent, the school 
board, the Hillsborough Schools Foundation, and APG to provide a 
welcoming, supportive school and community environment for families 
with children of all abilities. They helped launch three annual 
signature events: Special Kids Parents Group Kick-Off Coffee, High 
School Night for Parents of Special Learners, and 5th Grade Transition 
Coffee for Parents of Special Learners. They improved recreational 
opportunities with Hillsborough Recreation. And they represented HCSD 
to San Mateo County SELPA to share ideas and strategies across school 
districts. In short, Special Kids Parents Group could not have been a 
more effective advocate.
  Originally from Columbus, Ohio, Laurel came to California and 
attended Miramonte High School in Orinda. While working as a camp 
counselor at John's Hopkins Center for Talented Youth in 1987, she met 
her husband Steve Miranda. In 1990, Laurel earned her BA in 
Quantitative Economics and English from Stanford University and in 
1997, she earned her JD/MBA from UC Berkeley.
  Laurel and Steve were married at Stanford Memorial Church in 1993. 
She had a successful career at Oracle, Wells Fargo, and Charles Schwab. 
In 2000, with the birth of Robert Miranda, Laurel fully devoted her 
time to family, advocacy for children and school activities. Isabel 
Miranda was born three years later and diagnosed with a rare form of 
epilepsy at the age of eight months. There wasn't a group Laurel wasn't 
involved in or a board she didn't serve on. Advocacy and community 
engagement are part of her DNA. In her current role as a board member 
of CuriOdyssey, she is promoting exclusive hours and programming for 
kids with special needs and their families
  Madam Speaker, I ask the members of the House of Representatives to 
rise with me to recognize the long-lasting contributions Laurel Miranda 
has made to the Hillsborough City School District. She is a remarkable 
community leader who is effecting change in everything she touches.

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