[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 10 (Tuesday, January 19, 2021)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E47]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       HONORING THE RETIREMENT AND LIFE'S WORK OF HARLEY FRANKEL

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. DEBRA A. HAALAND

                             of new mexico

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, January 19, 2021

  Ms. HAALAND. Madam Speaker, I rise today with my colleague, 
Congressman Ted Lieu, to honor his constituent and life-long education 
champion, Harley Frankel. We join his friends and family in celebrating 
his retirement from College Match, Harley's non-profit that assists 
low-income students with applying to and excelling in college.
  After a career in public service, Harley founded College Match in 
2003 after witnessing the steep hurdles his son faced while applying to 
college. As a first-generation college student himself, Harley realized 
that the grueling and time-consuming application process presented far 
more consequential barriers to students in overcrowded schools who 
often lack built-in support, financial safety nets, and adequate 
college guidance. Following this realization, College Match was born, 
accommodating 40 students in just its first year. The program has 
ballooned to nearly 600 students accepted annually, each receiving one-
on-one guidance from trained college counselors, SAT prep, tutoring, 
assistance with college applications and essays, and college campus 
visits. In the past 6 years, 95 percent of College Match's students 
have been admitted to a U.S. News and World Report Top 50 college or 
university, and 70 percent were admitted to a Top 25 school.
  Harley's students have deemed him their ``fairy godfather''--a 
reliably approachable, friendly, and caring figure determined to help 
put them on the college path they deserve but would otherwise be out of 
reach. Harley's powerful impact on students across Los Angeles makes me 
think of my own academic career and the tremendous challenges I faced 
completing my undergraduate, and later my law degree as a single 
mother. No one ever told me to go to college, let alone guided me 
through the intimidating college application process. The education I 
received changed my life and put me on the path to serving in Congress. 
Every student determined to succeed should have that opportunity, 
regardless of their background or financial limitations, and Harley's 
work has helped to make that happen.
  A born change maker, Harley's tangible impact on his students will 
last lifetimes. Even more profound is his organization's direct 
challenging of the unfair obstacles that prevent some of our country's 
brightest minds from reaching their full potential. It is an honor to 
witness the monumental work College Match is leading. Congressman Lieu 
and I thank Harley for his life's commitment to uplifting our future 
leaders.

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