[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 57 (Thursday, March 31, 2022)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E336-E337]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       REMEMBERING BRENDA HARRIS

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JOHN GARAMENDI

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 31, 2022

  Mr. GARAMENDI. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of 
Brenda Harris and her legacy as an educator and a civil rights 
champion. Patti and I are deeply saddened by Brenda's passing, and our 
hearts are with her family during this difficult time.
  In 1951, Harris was born in Montgomery, Alabama as the daughter of 
civil rights activists. After graduating high school, Harris moved to 
California to study communications and sociology at the University of 
San Francisco (USF). In 1972, Harris began to immerse herself in the 
world of education through tutoring at Benjamin Franklin Middle School 
and counseling through Junior League. She went on to receive a master's 
degree in administration and her elementary and secondary school 
teaching credentials. In 1990, Harris' efforts culminated in her 
appointment to the position of Education Program Consultant by Dr. 
Shirley Thornton, Deputy Superintendent of Specialized Programs at the 
California Department of Education.
  As the daughter for civil rights activists, Harris was keenly aware 
of the disadvantages that underprivileged communities faced. While

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continuing her successful work as an educator, she took up her parents' 
cause and became an impactful advocate for improving education in 
minority and economically disadvantaged neighborhoods. This led her to 
become a member of USF's Board of Trustees, where she was committed to 
supporting USF's mission of social justice.
  In 2018, she was awarded the Engage San Francisco Community Partner 
Award for Western Addition Changemakers. Harris' life work undoubtedly 
had an indelible positive impact on countless students in California 
and inspired those around her. She will be deeply missed, and Patti and 
I send our condolences to the Harris family.

                          ____________________