[Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 15 (Thursday, January 22, 2026)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E66-E67]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        HONORING MARY ANN NIHART

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. SAM T. LICCARDO

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, January 22, 2026

  Mr. LICCARDO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today along with my colleague, 
Congressman Kevin Mullin, to recognize the life and contributions of 
Mary Ann Nihart, a dedicated public servant, mental health leader, and 
nurse, whose lifelong commitment to healing and community uplifted 
countless lives across Pacifica, California and beyond. Her work left 
an indelible mark on those she served.
  Mary Ann's career in nursing and mental health spanned decades of 
compassionate care and innovative leadership. She began her service 
with the San Mateo County Health Department, providing community mental 
health support, and later joined the San Francisco Veterans Affairs 
Medical Center, where she rose to become the Clinical Director and 
Chief Nurse of Mental Health Services. In this role, she helped 
countless veterans receive outstanding psychiatric care. A recognized 
expert in her field, Mary Ann co-authored the national VA Integrated 
Mental Health guidelines to improve coordinated care for service 
members

[[Page E67]]

and veterans. She also played a key role in national suicide prevention 
initiatives, contributing to programs like the National Action 
Alliance's Crisis Now standards for crisis care. She also held 
leadership positions in professional organizations, serving as 
President of the American Psychiatric Nurses Association and even being 
honored as APNA's Psychiatric Nurse of the Year in 2012. Through these 
roles, Mary Ann Nihart helped shape mental health policy and practice 
on a national level, always driven by a passion to save lives and 
support those in need.
  In addition to her clinical career, Mary Ann served the people of 
Pacifica as an elected official. She was first elected to the Pacifica 
City Council in 2008 and went on to serve eight years, including two 
terms as Mayor in 2011 and 2014. She was a hands-on, visionary leader 
who championed public engagement and collaborative governance. Mary Ann 
re-instituted the ``Mayor's Walks'' to personally connect local 
business owners with City Hall, and she reinstated Pacifica's Economic 
Development Committee to spur growth and revitalization. She 
spearheaded beautification initiatives that transformed neglected areas 
of the city, and under her leadership Pacifica even earned distinction 
as a finalist among the most scenic cities in America. Her tireless 
commitment to her hometown improved the quality of life in this 
wonderful coastal community for residents and delighted visitors.
  As a city leader with deep expertise in mental health. Mary Ann also 
broke new ground in bridging public safety and healthcare. She worked 
closely with local law enforcement to provide additional education and 
to reform police training for encounters with people in mental health 
crisis. She taught trauma-informed response techniques and expanded 
mental health content in officer training throughout San Mateo County. 
Mary Ann continually strove to bring community members together and 
heal divides, leveraging her professional knowledge to build 
understanding between police and the mental health community. This 
collaborative approach not only made Pacifica safer and more 
empathetic, but also exemplified the kind of inclusive, solution-
focused governance she believed in. Her colleagues and constituents 
knew her as a leader with a big heart and a ready smile, always willing 
to listen, educate, and find common ground for the public good.
  In every facet of her life, Mary Ann Nihart embodied courage, 
kindness, and an unwavering dedication to others. She was a healer, a 
mentor, and a bridge-builder. She guided veterans toward hope and 
healing, strengthened the nursing profession through her mentorship and 
example, and made her community of Pacifica a better and more 
compassionate place for all. Though we mourn the loss of this 
extraordinary woman, we also celebrate a legacy that will continue to 
inspire. I offer my deepest condolences to her family, her friends, and 
all who were blessed to know her.

                          ____________________