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[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E721-E722]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
IN HONOR OF KAREN HANRAHAN
______
HON. JACKIE SPEIER
of california
in the house of representatives
Thursday, June 6, 2019
Ms. SPEIER. Madam Speaker, I rise to honor Ms. Hanrahan, the retiring
Head of School at Mercy High School Burlingame. Ms. Hanrahan has been a
strong leader of this school for the past six years and is beloved on
campus. I deeply admire her and feel privileged to call her a great
friend.
During her time at Mercy, the school has benefitted greatly through
her leadership. Mercy is a school where girls are taught to become
leaders. In Ms. Hanrahan, they have a
[[Page E722]]
tremendous role model. When she arrived, the school's enrollment was
declining. She reversed the trend. Her interactions with students are a
joy to observe. Smiles break out, sometimes hugs ensue, but students
also know that she has high standards. Ms. Hanrahan stresses the belief
of the Sisters of Mercy that every student is capable of improving
herself and that every student should give back to the community. She
imbues the value of social justice in the students through hands-on
experiences. For example, a few years ago several Mercy girls joined me
and a group of Rosie the Riveters at a rally to ratify the Equal Rights
Amendment.
While at Mercy, the budget has been placed on sound footing. She's
now raising funds for a $12 million gymnasium and activities center,
the first building on campus where all students will be able to
assemble at once. In just eight months, $2.3 million has been pledged.
She once calmly explained to my staff that it would certainly require
work to raise $12 million but that it was doable, and then briefly
explained the nuts and bolts of raising this extraordinary sum. She is
demonstrating great leadership even now as she has been working over
many months to train her replacement. It is apparent that the
transition will go smoothly.
She emphasized to parents that science and technology play a big role
in Mercy's curriculum, while also stressing the importance of a broad
education. Mercy offers 37 AP courses ranging from biology to calculus
to history and even studio art in 3D. There are 18 honors courses in
sciences and the humanities. Ms. Hanrahan works with department heads
to ensure that Mercy's curriculum offers a breadth of study that allows
each student to reach her fullest potential. As an enthusiastic sports
fan, she celebrates when Mercy's teams excel, as they often do. As the
Head of School, Ms. Hanrahan is remarkably down to earth and models for
the students that no one should take him or herself too seriously.
During Mercy week, she dyed a streak of her hair royal blue, one of the
school colors.
Karen Hanrahan began her career as the Director of Development at yet
another Catholic school for girls, Cornelia Connelly School in Anaheim,
California. As she would in several other later positions, Ms. Hanrahan
raised funds to bring facilities up to date and to close budget
deficits. For example, at Bishop Hendricken High School in Warwick,
Rhode Island, she supervised admissions and alumnae, and was
responsible for the annual fund and handled all communications. She
then moved on to numerous other accomplishments in Catholic schools,
and at one private school, throughout the country.
However, it was in Baltimore that she met her pre-Mercy community and
education challenges that would prepare her for her years at Mercy. In
Baltimore, she became the Executive Director of the Baltimore City
Police Memorial Fund. She spent two years raising funds to ensure that
fallen officers would never be forgotten. She then became the President
and CEO of two Catholic schools, one a co-ed pre-K to 8th and the other
an all-girls high school.
At Seton Keough High School and Holy Angels Catholic School, Ms.
Hanrahan was the Energizer Bunny who did it all. She was involved in
marketing, communications, and fundraising. She supervised all
finances, developed budgets and strategic plans, and was the face of
the school in the community. She reduced the deficit of the two schools
by 50 percent and reinvigorated the curriculum. She did everything
imaginable to give the students of these two schools an outstanding
education.
As Ms. Hanrahan came onboard from Baltimore, she knew that Mercy
Burlingame also needed help. Ever the optimist, she dove right in, and
she delivered through extraordinary self-discipline and an engaging
personal style.
Today, the banner on the school's website says, ``Be known. Be
Challenged. Be Transformed.'' This could describe Ms. Hanrahan. She's
known, been challenged, and has transformed the school into a stronger
and better Mercy. She deserves a rest, but it would be unwise to call
it a retirement because leaders like Ms. Hanrahan neither retire nor
fade away. They listen closely to the next great calling, and then
patiently re-engage in the exciting enterprise of creating a better
tomorrow. We all await the day when we learn that Ms. Hanrahan has
again set her sights upon a goal because it will likely be in service
to a cause that enriches both us and our nation.
____________________
