February 14, 2002 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E147 Congressman Fernand St. Germain, a Demo- HONORING BOB SECRIST OF BOISE, aison, always ensuring that my staff and I was crat from Rhode Island. She coordinated the IDAHO, ON HIS RETIREMENT informed about veterans issues. work of the Congressman between his per- FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF Bob, for 33 years you’ve been a shining star sonal office and the Committee. Mrs. Hitz re- VETERANS AFFAIRS REGIONAL in the veterans’ community, showing those tired from Congressional service in 1983 from OFFICE around you that veterans come before bu- her position with Congressman St. Germain reaucracy and that good ideas don’t need to after more than 20 years of federal civil serv- HON. MICHAEL K. SIMPSON be buried under the burden of government. I ice. OF IDAHO commend you. I congratulate you and on be- In 1987, Mrs. Hitz moved from Virginia to IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES half of the thousands of veterans you’ve Jackson, Tennessee to be near her son, John served, and I thank you. Wednesday, February 13, 2002 Hitz. In 1998 she relocated to Holts Summitt, f Missouri to be near her other son, Charles Mr. SIMPSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to Hitz, and to her hometown of Jefferson City, honor Bob Secrist, a man who has served PAYING TRIBUTE TO JERRY Missouri when she lived until her death. Idaho veterans for more than 30 years, on his SORENSON It is always an honor and a privilege to rec- retirement from the Department of Veterans ognize folks who have given a large portion of Affairs Regional Office. HON. SCOTT McINNIS their lives to government service. It is a noble As a Vietnam veteran himself, Bob has OF COLORADO profession and I am proud to recognize the shown compassion and dedication to veterans IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES service of Mrs. Helen C. Hitz. of all ages and in all areas of Idaho. Bob grew up in the farming community of Wednesday, February 13, 2002 f St. Anthony, Idaho where he learned the value Mr. MCINNIS. Mr. Speaker, it is with a sol- of hard work, a firm handshake and an honest emn heart that I take this opportunity to pay RECOGNIZING THE HISPANIC ENGI- heart. He stayed close to home, attending respect to the passing of a friend, Gerald NEER NATIONAL ACHIEVEMENT Ricks College and graduating in 1964. He ‘‘Jerry’’ Edwin Sorensen, who recently passed AWARDS CORPORATION served his church on a two-year mission to away at the age of 55. Jerry was a pillar of the the Great Lakes area. When he returned, he Glenwood Springs community and as his fam- HON. RUBE´N HINOJOSA joined the Idaho National Guard. While in the ily mourns his loss, I think it is appropriate to OF TEXAS Guard, he was called to Vietnam. He was a remember Jerry and pay tribute to him for his IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES truck driver, delivering truckloads of gasoline contributions to his community. Wednesday, February 13, 2002 and diesel fuel throughout Vietnam’s Central Jerry will always be forever known as a true Highlands. His highly explosive convoys nego- sports fan, a man who lived and thrived for Mr. HINOJOSA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to tiated mined roadways, blown up bridges, and sporting events. He is remembered as a su- recognize the work that the Hispanic Engineer sporadic enemy assaults. He returned in Au- perb athlete during his high school years, par- National Achievement Awards Corporation gust 1969, married his sweetheart Judy in ticipating on and playing for the Roaring Fork (HENAAC) is doing to enlighten the Hispanic 1970, and graduated from Idaho State Univer- High School football and baseball teams lo- community and nation about the achievements sity in 1971 with a degree in business. cated in Carbondale, Colorado. His passion of Hispanics in science and technology in After graduating, the family moved to Boise, for sports continued throughout his life branch- order to motivate Hispanic students to pursue and Bob began his distinguished career at the ing into hunting, fishing, 4-wheeling, bowling careers in science and technology. VA Regional Office. He started out as Claims and watching his favorite football team, the American students lag behind their counter- Adjudicator working stacks of paper to help Denver Broncos. Although known for his parts in other developed countries like Japan those who’d been disabled in the line of duty. athleticism and hard work, Jerry’s true love in the areas of science and math. If America For many, Bob put a human face to veterans’ was working and interacting with people, par- is to hold its technological advantage in an issues. His outreach on veterans’ issues is ticularly his two sons and grandsons. He will ever complex world, we must close this gap legendary. If you had a question about vet- be remembered as a devoted husband, father, and improve our children’s achievements in erans’ benefits, Bob knew the answer. and friend. He affected the lives of so many of math and science. In 1974, he was promoted to be the Edu- Glenwood’s residents with his kindness and In October, HENAAC will hold its annual cation Liaison Representative working with his generosity and he will be greatly missed. conference to honor outstanding Hispanics in Idaho schools under the GI Bill education pro- Mr. Speaker, it is with profound sadness nine categories. In addition to the conference, gram. According to his colleagues, Bob was that we note the passing of Gerald ‘‘Jerry’’ HENAAC, in conjunction with the University of able to streamline the schools’ procedures and Edwin. He was known for his kind heart and Texas-Pan American in my Congressional dis- improve services to veterans enrolled in the gentle demeanor he displayed throughout trict, will also sponsor four special events as school. He utilized his claims processing back- his life and his good deeds and dedication to part of the International Science and Tech- ground to work weekends helping adjudicators his fellow man certainly deserve the recogni- nology Week. The Hispanic Science and to write education awards and clearing up tion of this body of Congress. I, along with a Technology EXPO Day at UT Pan American processing delays. grateful community and loving family will miss will bring students, parents, educators and the Because of his dedication and community Jerry dearly. community together to learn about the impor- involvement, he was named the Chief of the f tance of science and technology and give stu- Regional Office’s Veterans Services Division dents information on career opportunities in in 1990. In this position, he was in charge of CELEBRATING THE LIFE OF engineering, science and math. Thousands of state outreach to all veterans and beneficiaries LLOYD KIVA NEW pre-college students will be able to participate around the state. in the hands-on interactive workshops, presen- Bob always felt compassion for veterans. HON. TOM UDALL tations and expositions. Hispanic Science and He never lost sight of who he was working OF NEW MEXICO Technology Educator Day will recognize for—not the government—not the VA—but the IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES teachers throughout South Texas and give veterans who had served this country. He them opportunities to improve their skills. made sure the VA Regional Office wasn’t an Wednesday, February 13, 2002 In addition to International Science and Ivory Tower looking down on the veterans Mr. UDALL of New Mexico. Mr. Speaker, I Technology Week, HENAAC also sponsors they served. In the face of budget cuts, he rise today to pay tribute to a recently lost New student scholarships and a Hall of Fame trav- was determined to make the Regional Office Mexican who was a devoted Native American eling exhibit. ‘‘veteran friendly.’’ He began a program of educator, artist, and entrepreneur. Lloyd Kiva On February 19, 2002, the University of partnerships with the Veterans Service Organi- New had intuition and visionary skills that Texas-Pan American will have a kick-off to en- zations, the VFW, DAV, American Legion, the made him a successful business man; how- courage students, parents and teachers to Wake Island Survivors, the Idaho Department ever, more importantly, his humble heart and participate in the upcoming events. I want to of Veterans Services, and many others. ambition drove him to aide young Native commend HENAAC and the University of After the Regional Office was consolidated American students to strive for excellence at Texas-Pan American for their commitment to in the late 1990s, Bob was appointed as the the Institute of American Indian Arts. educating the next generation of Hispanic sci- Regional Office Public Information Officer. In The Native American community has lost a entists, mathematicians and engineers. that position, he served as a congressional li- prolific humanitarian, who devoted much of his
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