15146 EXTENSIONS OF REMARKS, Vol. 158, Pt. 11 November 13, 2012 Army Achievement Medal for his life saving board the Midway until he was honorably dis- President Richard Nixon in 1972 as the San action and a Military Volunteer Medal for his charged in July of 1946. Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge, and service while deployed abroad. The Soldier of For many years, Mr. Heckman participated administered since then by the U.S. Fish and the Year honor highlights his ongoing military in community organizations, including a long Wildlife Service, it was renamed the Don service as well as his sustained commitment tenure as a member of the South San Fran- Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife to others. Sergeant Davidson volunteers with cisco Elks Lodge. In addition, he helped cre- Refuge in 1995 in recognition of Congressman Big Brothers Big Sisters, mentors at-risk ate the School Personnel Credit Union and led Don Edwards’ efforts to protect sensitive wet- youth, and gives motivational speeches to ele- that organization for 17 years, contributing as lands in the South San Francisco Bay. mentary, middle and high school students. a board member, secretary and president. I join in congratulating the Don Edwards Perhaps his most profound gesture was pre- After retiring, Mr. Heckman began a suc- San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge senting his Air Achievement Medal to the man cessful business tuning pianos. At 87, Mr. on its 40th anniversary and I applaud the com- who taught him life saving techniques and Heckman continues to play the trombone with mitment of all who have contributed over served as a mentor, his Northwest High a group of local musicians. Mr. Heckman be- these many years to preserving and protecting School athletic trainer. lieves that music is a lifetime adventure, and our precious San Francisco Bay. Sergeant Davidson has demonstrated a he’s been playing the trombone since he was f deep passion for his country and his commu- 7 or 8 years old. nity. I want to express my appreciation for his Family has always been an important part of IN RECOGNITION OF THE HOLY commendable efforts on behalf of his fellow Mr. Heckman’s life. He enjoys spending time ANGELS CLASS OF 1969 citizens within the 26th District and for his val- with his son, Mark, and his daughter-in-law, uable service to the State of Texas and our Kathy, who live locally. His twin daughters, HON. JACKIE SPEIER great Nation. Patty and Tina, both live in Gridley, California. OF CALIFORNIA f Mr. Heckman is also the proud grandfather of IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES David, Sean, Kelly and JW, and the great- Tuesday, November 13, 2012 IN RECOGNITION OF WARREN grandfather of James. HECKMAN Mr. Speaker, I ask this body to rise with me Ms. SPEIER. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor a to honor the outstanding service of Warren rare and special occasion for 45 individuals HON. JACKIE SPEIER Heckman to the city of South San Francisco who went to grammar school together 43 OF CALIFORNIA and the whole of San Mateo County. He was years ago. It is nothing short of remarkable IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES a role model for other teachers, a beacon for that two thirds of the Holy Angels Class of 1969 will gather on this day of November 10, Tuesday, November 13, 2012 his students, and he will be remembered as an exceptional human being for many years to 2012 to reminisce and exaggerate old stories. Ms. SPEIER. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor come. The Sisters of the Holy Infant Jesus taught Warren Heckman who has spent his life serv- f at Holy Angels, a Catholic school founded in ing our community and sharing his passion for 1952. music with those around him. COMMEMORATING THE 40TH ANNI- The Class of 1969 consisted of 45 students: As a teacher and band instructor, Mr. Heck- VERSARY OF THE DON EDWARDS Donna Abrahamsohn, Charlene Behnke, Rob- man brought the joy of music to hundreds of SAN FRANCISCO BAY NATIONAL ert Bernie, Kevin Chapot (deceased 2010), students for more than thirty years. He started WILDLIFE REFUGE Raymond Ciardella, Shirley Conti, Richard teaching at South San Francisco High School Delgado, Mary Dillon, John Gallagher, Robert in 1950, and created the Blue Knights, a jazz HON. FORTNEY PETE STARK Gerughty, Randy Golobic, Susan Gomez, Jo- ensemble that won countless awards and put OF CALIFORNIA seph Gordon, Kathleen Griffin, Dennis Harvey, South San Francisco High School’s music pro- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Stephen Haught, Loretta Kelly, Patricia Kerns, gram on the map. The Blue Knights were one Catherine Lapachet, Carole Lindsey, Patrick of the first high school jazz ensembles and Tuesday, November 13, 2012 McLoughlin, James McCarthy, Maura Moran, paved the way for similar programs around the Mr. STARK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay Paul Nannini, Bruce Olmanson, Thomas country. This jazz group is still part of South tribute to the 40th anniversary of the creation O’Shea, Mary Pinelli, George Putkey, Eliza- San Francisco High School’s music program of the Don Edwards San Francisco Bay Na- beth Randall, Timothy Rea, Marie Antoinette today. tional Wildlife Refuge, the first urban national Rodriguez, Mary Rushka, Kimberly Seitz, Mr. Heckman’s passion for music spread to Wildlife Refuge established in the United Debra Sola, Terrie Sottile, Marialena Spadaro, his students, many of whom have remained in States. The Refuge is dedicated to preserving George Tinetti, Barbara Trapp, Robert Trapp, touch with him. In 2006, 180 former Blue and enhancing wildlife habitat, protecting mi- Linda Tricerri, Peter Woolery, Nina Varni, Knights from around the country gathered to- gratory birds, protecting threatened and en- Thomas York, David Zanini, and Loretta gether for a reunion. Many of them continue to dangered species, and providing opportunities Zolezzi. play music, both recreationally and profes- for wildlife-oriented recreation and nature By today’s standards, a class of 45 is un- sionally, a testament to Mr. Heckman’s influ- study for the surrounding communities of the heard of, but the Holy Angels students assert ence on his pupils at such a transformative south San Francisco Bay area. that it didn’t harm any of them in their later age. As of 2004, the Refuge spans 30,000 acres lives. They moved on to careers in teaching, In 1958, Mr. Heckman received his Master’s of diverse habitats throughout South San public safety, law enforcement, the military, degree from San Francisco State University. Francisco Bay, including open bay, salt ponds, the medical field, and more. Many of them He also earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in salt marshes, mudflats, upland areas and stayed right here in the Colma and Daly City Music in 1949 and a teaching credential in vernal pools. Located along the Pacific area, home to Holy Angels. 1950 from the University of California-Berkeley Flyway, the Refuge hosts over 280 species of The class of 1969 was the first second where he met his wife, Marie, who has since birds each year. Millions of shorebirds and wa- grade class to celebrate their First Holy Com- passed away. terfowl stop to refuel at the Refuge during the munion in 1963, a year after Holy Angels During World War II, Mr. Heckman served spring and fall migration. In addition to its sea- church was built. All of the teachers at the his country in the United States Navy. He en- sonal visitors, the Refuge provides critical school were nuns, except for Miss Sandy tered the Navy in 1943 one month after grad- habitat to resident species like the endangered Sheffield—unanimously voted everyone’s fa- uating from high school. He attended college California clapper rail and salt marsh harvest vorite teacher in the 4th grade for her innova- in Missouri for 18 months, then transferred to mouse. Today, hundreds of thousands of peo- tive and fun teaching style. Until Miss Sheffield midshipman school at Cornell University ple visit the Refuge each year to enjoy its di- brought in a pin˜ata, most students had never where he received his commission in May verse wildlife and habitats. seen one. 1945. He attended Fire Control School in Fort The Don Edwards San Francisco Bay Na- Another teacher bringing fond memories to Lauderdale, Florida and was stationed aboard tional Wildlife Refuge is part of a complex of the students is Miss Whitney who taught all the aircraft carrier USS Midway CV–41. As a six other wildlife refuges in the San Francisco the dance routines for the annual May Day Fire Control Officer he spent one year on Bay Area. Created by legislation signed by festivities. Each class performed a variety of VerDate Sep 11 2014 12:51 Jun 21, 2017 Jkt 019102 PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 0689 Sfmt 9920 E:\BR12\E13NO2.000 E13NO2 pmangrum on DSK3GDR082PROD with BOUND RECORD.