E1740 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks November 13, 2012 Perhaps his most profound gesture was pre- a group of local musicians. Mr. Heckman be- IN RECOGNITION OF THE HOLY senting his Air Achievement Medal to the man lieves that music is a lifetime adventure, and ANGELS CLASS OF 1969 who taught him life saving techniques and he’s been playing the trombone since he was served as a mentor, his Northwest High 7 or 8 years old. HON. JACKIE SPEIER School athletic trainer. Family has always been an important part of OF Sergeant Davidson has demonstrated a Mr. Heckman’s life. He enjoys spending time IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES deep passion for his country and his commu- with his son, Mark, and his daughter-in-law, Tuesday, November 13, 2012 nity. I want to express my appreciation for his Kathy, who live locally. His twin daughters, commendable efforts on behalf of his fellow Patty and Tina, both live in Gridley, California. Ms. SPEIER. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor a citizens within the 26th District and for his val- Mr. Heckman is also the proud grandfather of rare and special occasion for 45 individuals uable service to the State of Texas and our David, Sean, Kelly and JW, and the great- who went to grammar school together 43 years ago. It is nothing short of remarkable great Nation. grandfather of James. that two thirds of the Holy Angels Class of Mr. Speaker, I ask this body to rise with me f 1969 will gather on this day of November 10, to honor the outstanding service of Warren 2012 to reminisce and exaggerate old stories. IN RECOGNITION OF WARREN Heckman to the city of South San Francisco HECKMAN The Sisters of the Holy Infant Jesus taught and the whole of San Mateo County. He was at Holy Angels, a Catholic school founded in a role model for other teachers, a beacon for 1952. HON. JACKIE SPEIER his students, and he will be remembered as The Class of 1969 consisted of 45 students: OF CALIFORNIA an exceptional human being for many years to Donna Abrahamsohn, Charlene Behnke, Rob- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES come. ert Bernie, Kevin Chapot (deceased 2010), Tuesday, November 13, 2012 Raymond Ciardella, Shirley Conti, Richard f Delgado, Mary Dillon, John Gallagher, Robert Ms. SPEIER. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor Gerughty, Randy Golobic, Susan Gomez, Jo- Warren Heckman who has spent his life serv- COMMEMORATING THE 40TH ANNI- VERSARY OF THE DON EDWARDS seph Gordon, Kathleen Griffin, Dennis Harvey, ing our community and sharing his passion for Stephen Haught, Loretta Kelly, Patricia Kerns, music with those around him. NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE Catherine Lapachet, Carole Lindsey, Patrick As a teacher and band instructor, Mr. Heck- McLoughlin, James McCarthy, Maura Moran, man brought the joy of music to hundreds of Paul Nannini, Bruce Olmanson, Thomas students for more than thirty years. He started HON. FORTNEY O’Shea, Mary Pinelli, George Putkey, Eliza- teaching at South San Francisco High School OF CALIFORNIA beth Randall, Timothy Rea, Marie Antoinette in 1950, and created the Blue Knights, a jazz IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Rodriguez, Mary Rushka, Kimberly Seitz, ensemble that won countless awards and put Tuesday, November 13, 2012 Debra Sola, Terrie Sottile, Marialena Spadaro, South San Francisco High School’s music pro- George Tinetti, Barbara Trapp, Robert Trapp, gram on the map. The Blue Knights were one Mr. STARK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay Linda Tricerri, Peter Woolery, Nina Varni, of the first high school jazz ensembles and tribute to the 40th anniversary of the creation Thomas York, David Zanini, and Loretta paved the way for similar programs around the of the Don Edwards San Francisco Bay Na- Zolezzi. country. This jazz group is still part of South tional Wildlife Refuge, the first urban national By today’s standards, a class of 45 is un- San Francisco High School’s music program Wildlife Refuge established in the United heard of, but the Holy Angels students assert today. States. The Refuge is dedicated to preserving that it didn’t harm any of them in their later Mr. Heckman’s passion for music spread to and enhancing wildlife habitat, protecting mi- lives. They moved on to careers in teaching, his students, many of whom have remained in gratory birds, protecting threatened and en- public safety, law enforcement, the military, touch with him. In 2006, 180 former Blue dangered species, and providing opportunities the medical field, and more. Many of them Knights from around the country gathered to- for wildlife-oriented recreation and nature stayed right here in the Colma and Daly City gether for a reunion. Many of them continue to study for the surrounding communities of the area, home to Holy Angels. play music, both recreationally and profes- south San Francisco Bay area. The class of 1969 was the first second sionally, a testament to Mr. Heckman’s influ- As of 2004, the Refuge spans 30,000 acres grade class to celebrate their First Holy Com- ence on his pupils at such a transformative of diverse habitats throughout South San munion in 1963, a year after Holy Angels age. Francisco Bay, including open bay, salt ponds, church was built. All of the teachers at the In 1958, Mr. Heckman received his Master’s salt marshes, mudflats, upland areas and school were nuns, except for Miss Sandy degree from San Francisco State University. vernal pools. Located along the Pacific Sheffield—unanimously voted everyone’s fa- He also earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Flyway, the Refuge hosts over 280 species of vorite teacher in the 4th grade for her innova- Music in 1949 and a teaching credential in birds each year. Millions of shorebirds and wa- tive and fun teaching style. Until Miss Sheffield 1950 from the University of California-Berkeley terfowl stop to refuel at the Refuge during the brought in a pin˜ata, most students had never where he met his wife, Marie, who has since spring and fall migration. In addition to its sea- seen one. passed away. sonal visitors, the Refuge provides critical Another teacher bringing fond memories to During World War II, Mr. Heckman served habitat to resident species like the endangered the students is Miss Whitney who taught all his country in the Navy. He en- California clapper rail and salt marsh harvest the dance routines for the annual May Day tered the Navy in 1943 one month after grad- mouse. Today, hundreds of thousands of peo- festivities. Each class performed a variety of uating from high school. He attended college ple visit the Refuge each year to enjoy its di- folk dances on this popular day of games and raffles. in Missouri for 18 months, then transferred to verse wildlife and habitats. Back in the day, the TV show ‘‘The Man The Don Edwards San Francisco Bay Na- midshipman school at Cornell University From U.N.C.L.E.’’ brought out the best in a tional Wildlife Refuge is part of a complex of where he received his commission in May group of Holy Angel girls portraying them- 1945. He attended Fire Control School in Fort six other wildlife refuges in the San Francisco selves as secret agents. They would pass Lauderdale, Florida and was stationed aboard Bay Area. Created by legislation signed by around secret messages in an empty the aircraft carrier USS Midway CV–41. As a President in 1972 as the San Chapstick container and they would reveal the Fire Control Officer he spent one year on Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge, and locations of dangerous enemy agents via board the Midway until he was honorably dis- administered since then by the U.S. Fish and walkie talkies. The Class of 1969 refuses to charged in July of 1946. Wildlife Service, it was renamed the Don disclose whether one of the class members For many years, Mr. Heckman participated Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife later joined the CIA. in community organizations, including a long Refuge in 1995 in recognition of Congressman Life at Holy Angels wasn’t all fun and tenure as a member of the South San Fran- Don Edwards’ efforts to protect sensitive wet- games. In 1963, televisions were not part of cisco Elks Lodge. In addition, he helped cre- lands in the South San Francisco Bay. the regular classroom, but when President ate the School Personnel Credit Union and led I join in congratulating the Don Edwards Kennedy was assassinated, the nuns brought that organization for 17 years, contributing as San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge in TVs so that the students could witness the a board member, secretary and president. on its 40th anniversary and I applaud the com- funeral. After retiring, Mr. Heckman began a suc- mitment of all who have contributed over Mr. Speaker, I ask the House of Represent- cessful business tuning pianos. At 87, Mr. these many years to preserving and protecting atives to rise with me to honor the Holy An- Heckman continues to play the trombone with our precious San Francisco Bay. gels Class of 1969 which reminds all of us of

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