[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 157 (2011), Part 8]
[House]
[Pages 11399-11400]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




  WELCOMING THE HONORABLE JANICE HAHN TO THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

  The SPEAKER. Without objection, the gentleman from California is 
recognized for 1 minute.
  There was no objection.
  Mr. STARK. Mr. Speaker, the residents of California's 36th 
Congressional District chose Janice Hahn last week in a special 
election to succeed our esteemed colleague Jane Harman. Jane will be 
missed, but we welcome Janice to Congress where she will undoubtedly 
serve as a powerful champion for her constituents.
  She begins her career in Congress with a strong record of fighting 
for jobs, the environment and working families. As a city of Los 
Angeles councilwoman, she led successful initiatives to improve her 
community. She created jobs by standing with unions and advocating for 
development to promote tourism. She worked to clean the air in L.A. by 
addressing the pollution from the ports and by enacting strong diesel 
truck emission standards. She stood with working families through her 
support of living wages and health care.
  Janice carries on the legacy of her father, Kenny Hahn, a former Los 
Angeles County supervisor and a passionate civil rights advocate. As a 
United States Congresswoman, Janice will surely add more victories to 
her already long list of accomplishments.
  She is joined today by her son Danny; daughter, Katy; son-in-law, 
John; and three grandchildren--Brooklyn, McKenna and Josiah.
  Mr. DREIER. Will the gentleman yield?
  Mr. STARK. I yield to the gentleman from California.
  Mr. DREIER. I thank my friend for yielding.
  Let me join on behalf of my Republican colleagues from California and 
across the country in extending a hearty congratulations to our new 
colleague, filling the great shoes--they're not huge shoes of course--
but succeeding our good friend Jane Harman.
  I have to say, Mr. Speaker, that Janice Hahn comes from a family that 
has had a great, great, long tenure of public service. Her father, 
Kenneth Hahn, served as a supervisor in the County of Los Angeles--a 
huge job. They represent about three times as many people as we, Mr. 
Speaker; and her brother, of course, a judge, has served as the mayor 
of the city of Los Angeles.
  Our new colleague has come here at certainly an extraordinarily 
crucial time in our Nation's history, and will face many challenges 
ahead; but I also want to say that our thoughts and prayers go to our 
new colleague. Not everyone knows that, literally on the eve of the 
election, her mother, Ramona, passed away suddenly. I know that she, as 
are all the members of the Hahn Family, would be extraordinarily proud 
of this moment.
  We extend a hearty congratulations.
  Mr. STARK. Please join me and all of the California delegation in 
welcoming Janice.
  The SPEAKER. The gentlewoman from California is recognized.
  Ms. HAHN. Good afternoon, Mr. Speaker, Leader Pelosi, and honored 
Members.
  It is wonderful to be here today representing the 36th Congressional 
District in California. I am honored and thankful for this incredible 
opportunity to serve here in the United States House of 
Representatives. I am humbled to be the first Los Angeles City 
councilmember elected to Congress since Ed Roybal almost 50 years ago.
  I was born into public service. My dad, Kenny, represented the people 
of Los Angeles for 46 years. My brother, Jim, served as mayor, and is 
now a superior court judge. Our dad taught us that serving others is 
more than a job--it's a calling. It requires honesty, hard work and, 
most of all, the courage to do the right thing.
  In 1961, a young and controversial civil rights leader named Martin 
Luther King, Jr. came to Los Angeles for his very first visit, and not 
a single elected official wanted to greet or welcome him except for 
one--my father. That's where I got my political courage. We know that 
Americans are counting on us now more than ever to solve their 
problems, and working together with courage and in good faith, I 
believe we can and we will.
  This past week, I experienced a wonderful victory but also a profound 
loss. My dear, sweet mother passed away unexpectedly the day before the 
election. She was the driving force behind our family, and this is the 
first accomplishment I've ever had and not been able to share with her. 
She was looking forward to seeing this day, and I know both she and my 
father are looking down today, smiling.
  And for that, I want to thank everyone who made this possible. Thank 
you to my children--Katy, Danny and Mark; my son-in-law, John; my five 
beautiful grandchildren, three of whom are here today--McKenna, 
Brooklyn

[[Page 11400]]

and Josiah; and thank you to Leader Pelosi, Democratic Whip Hoyer and 
the California delegation.
  I want to thank my good friend Jane Harman for her years of service 
to this Congress and to this Nation and to the people of the 36th 
District; and when she stepped down, I told her to leave the initials 
on the door.
  Thanks to my campaign staff and volunteers and the voters. I will 
work every day, with every bit of strength that I have, to serve you.
  I look forward to working with each and every one of you and in 
getting to know each and every one of you.
  Thank you. God bless you, and God bless our beautiful country.

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