[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 29 (Wednesday, March 6, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E284]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      A TRIBUTE TO LOUISE ST. JEAN

                                 ______


                            HON. JERRY LEWIS

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, March 6, 1996

  Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Speaker, I would like to bring to your 
attention the fine work and outstanding public service of Louise St. 
Jean. Louise, the department of economic and community development's 
executive secretary, is retiring at the end of March after 23 years of 
exemplary service with the County of San Bernardino in California.
  Louise was born in San Bernardino at St. Bernardine Hospital. As the 
youngest of eight children, she was raised on a 100-acre farm in 
Bloomington where her dad grew boysenberries. Her mother, who is 91, 
still lives in Bloomington.
  Louise began her professional work with San Bernardino County in 1973 
as a clerk with the transportation/flood control department. She was 
promoted in 1975 and served with the county surveyor's office. A short 
time later, Louise returned to the county and in 1985 was promoted to 
executive secretary to the director of Economic and Community 
Development.
  Louise was recognized as the department's County Employee of the Year 
in 1994 by the board of supervisors. She was particularly instrumental 
in facilitating the public sector approval process for the issuance of 
over $800 million in tax-exempt housing and industrial development 
bonds to finance new homes, apartments, and commerce in San Bernardino 
County.
  Louise is also well known for her versatility and professionalism 
which has allowed her to assume many diverse responsibilities. While 
she has served primarily as the secretary to the ECD director, she was 
also the secretary for the county's appointed economic and community 
development commission and secretary to the Agua Mansa Growth 
Association comprised of elected officials from the cities of Colton, 
Riverside and Rialto and the Counties of San Bernardino and Riverside.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask that you join me, our colleagues, Louise's husband 
Ed, their family, and many friends in wishing her many more years of 
happiness and success in writing that book she has always wanted to 
write. It is only appropriate that the House recognize Louise St. Jean 
today for her many years of dedicated service to San Bernardino County.

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