[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 157 (2011), Part 2]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 2674-2675]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                        A FAREWELL TO THE HOUSE

                                  _____
                                 

                            HON. JANE HARMAN

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, February 18, 2011

  Ms. HARMAN. Mr. Speaker, my congressional career will close on 
February 28th, so that the constitutionally required special election 
to replace me can coincide with a statewide referendum Governor Brown 
intends to hold later this year. This will save taxpayer money, assure 
a higher turnout, and most quickly fill the vacancy created by my 
resignation.
  The messages that have flooded my offices since I announced my 
departure have touched me deeply. The extraordinary honor of a 
congratulatory statement by President Obama was completely unexpected 
and absolutely thrilling. But the message I may treasure most came from 
one of my children. It said, simply: Hon. ``Brave Mama.''
  For 17 years, I have worked my heart out for the people of 
California's 36th congressional district. I cast votes with which some 
strongly disagreed--but I have always tried my best to listen, and to 
lead.
  The opportunity awaiting me at the Woodrow Wilson International 
Center for Scholars is enormous. It is truly a center of excellence, 
and a place where I believe I can add real value to bipartisan 
scholarship and policymaking.
  But nothing--and I mean nothing--will ever replace the two-decade 
long journey I have just completed as I sought and won a seat in 
Congress--my first and only elected office.
  I have worked closely with so many of you in committees, in caucuses 
like the Blue Dogs and New Democrats, and on legislation.
  With some here I have visited garden spots like North Korea, Libya, 
Syria, Afghanistan, Pakistan and Yemen to assess the threats we face. 
Such foreign travel is, I believe, a wonderful way to build personal, 
bipartisan friendships--something dearly needed in Congress.
  As a lifelong, passionate, bipartisan-in-my-bones Democrat I have 
been criticized by both sides. But the center is where, in my view, 
most Americans are--and where, in many cases, the best policy answers 
are. I will bring that perspective with me to my new post at the Wilson 
Center.
  Let me make two final points. First, over the years I have worked 
hard to hire and train the

[[Page 2675]]

best staff on the planet. We call ourselves ``Team Harman'' and at 
annual reunions I marvel at how they and their families have grown. I 
truly love them, and know how their extraordinary efforts are 
appreciated by my constituents and other offices.
  But second, I always say that I represent the smartest constituents 
on earth. This is not a joke: they have helped me enormously to do my 
job well. Sidney and I and our ever-growing family thank them for the 
milestones and the memories. I may be changing my day job, but not my 
residence--or my heart.
  So, as I conclude my final statement on the floor of this House, I 
depart with great affection and gratitude to wonderful colleagues, on 
both sides of the aisle, who have also become wonderful friends.

                          ____________________