Jane Harman at University High School in Los Angeles, n.d.

Jane Harman visiting public schools in California, n.d.

Jane Harman and the Redondo Beach Police Department examining the Night Enforcer 250 developed by ITT Filfillan, 17 February 1995.

Birthday greetings certificate from the City of Los Angeles, 1 July 1995.

Jane Harman receiving the Spirit of Enterprise Award from U.S. Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Thomas J. Donohue, 5 February 1998.

Keeping in mind former Speaker of the House Thomas P. O'Neill's famous adage, "all politics is local," Harman made regular visits to her constituents during her first three terms in Congress. Many of the projects for aerospace and defense modernization and conversion that she championed over the years benefited her local community. Her work to balance the budget, eliminate the federal deficit, and improve the South Bay business climate earned her the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Spirit of Enterprise Award in 1998. Some of Harman's other projects recognized in L.A.'s 1998 resolution include delivering federal support for the Port of Los Angeles and Marina del Rey and ensuring defense readiness at home.

A proud L.A. public school graduate, Harman has always felt that the best way to fight poverty is to improve public education. "That means," according to Harman, "reaching into our inner city and rural schools to improve teaching, reduce class sizes, repair and update schools, and provide the latest technology. The best affirmative action policy is a decent public education for every child"

Richard J. Riodan, Mayor of Los Angeles, presenting a city council resolution to Jane Harman, October 1998.

Jane Harman (top center) and constituents at a "Bike the Beach" event, November 1996.

H.R. 3074, 105th Congress, 1st session, 13 November 1997.

Another Harman priority during her first three terms in Congress was defending the environment by supporting wetlands and desert protection, and banning offshore drilling. In 1997, Harman cosponsored H.R. 3074, which prevented the Secretary of the Interior from issuing oil and gas leases on portions of the Outer Continental Shelf. "Green technologies" have enhanced California's economy, according to Harman, instead of hurting it. Like most of her constituents, she treasures the natural beauty of California.

Jane Harman and Sheila Kuehl on election night, 1996.

Family Planning and Choice Protection Act of 1997, 105th Congress, 1st session, H.R. 2525.

From her first days in Congress, Harman has been a strong supporter of a woman's right to choose whether and when to have children. In 1997 she cosponsored H.R. 2525, which protects women's reproductive health and constitutional right to choice. In 1998 she cosponsored the Violence against Women Act, which provides community medical and counseling services for women and other family members victimized by domestic violence. Sheila Kuehl, the first openly gay or lesbian person to be elected to the California Legislature, addressed the 1996 Democratic National Convention on the issue of family violence. In 1998, a second Smith graduate was elected to Congress. Tammy Baldwin '84 is the first openly gay female in Congress.

Violence Against Women Act of 1998, 105th Congress, 2nd session, H.R. 3514.