[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 42 (Monday, March 25, 1996)]
[Senate]
[Pages S2836-S2837]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                            CLETIS WAGAHOFF

 Mr. JOHNSTON. Mr. President, I rise today to pay tribute to an 
outstanding public servant and my friend, Cletis Wagahoff. On March 31, 
1996, Cletis will retire from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers after 
serving selflessly for nearly 27 years and after a total of 35 years of 
Government service.
  Cletis Wagahoff has served as the deputy district engineer for 
Project Management in the corps' New Orleans District Office since 
1988. If the daily challenges of managing several of our Nation's 
largest civil works projects were not enough to ask of someone Mr. 
President, the job of deputy district engineer also requires that 
Cletis be the liaison for all congressional inquiries from the 
Louisiana Congressional Delegation. For this alone, he deserves our 
deepest gratitude, not to mention a medal. In fact, Cletis was recently 
awarded the Meritorious Civilian Service Award for his performance as a 
highly skilled engineer and proven leader in his field.
  I have had the pleasure of working with Cletis on many of Louisiana's 
navigation, hurricane, and flood protection projects and have often 
sought his counsel and advice on critical problems like coastal erosion 
and protecting our valuable wetlands. His reputation as a consensus 
builder and a man of unwavering integrity is well known by Louisiana's 
elected officials and our community and business leaders.
  Mr. President, Cletis Wagahoff and his wife, Betty, have given much 
to Louisiana and our great Nation during their many years of service, 
and for this we are eternally grateful. On behalf of the Louisiana 
congressional Delegation and all Louisianians, we wish them every 
success, good health, and much happiness as they turn the pages of life 
to begin a new chapter.

[[Page S2837]]



                    IN HONOR OF JOHN E. CHRISTENSEN

 Mr. BROWN. Mr. President, I rise at this time to recognize an 
outstanding citizen for the achievements and contributions he has made 
to the people of the State of Colorado. After a 30-year career in 
education, John Christensen is retiring as principal of Greeley Central 
High School.
  John Christensen, or ``JC'' as he is known, began his teaching career 
in 1964 at Carbondale Junior High School in Carbondale, CO. Over the 
next three decades, he became one of the driving forces in Weld County 
education. He taught mathematics, physical education, and biology. He 
coached basketball, football, track, and baseball, and served as an 
athletic director and assistant principal before becoming principal of 
Greeley Central.
  As a resident of Greeley, CO, I am aware of the contributions JC has 
made to students and to the community. In addition to his classroom and 
administrative responsibilities, his enthusiasm and dedication to 
students' extra-curricular programs led him to speech contests, musical 
concerts, theater performances, athletic events and countless other 
student activities in the evenings and on weekends. During some of 
those athletic events he was a fan; other times he was the coach. In 
1975, he coached Greeley West's AAA State Baseball Championship Team, a 
demonstration of his commitment to hard work and excellence.
  John Christensen's selfless dedication brought him richly deserved 
recognition. In 1989, he was presented the International Thespian Award 
by International Thespian Society Troupe 657 for his support of theater 
arts at Greeley Central. In 1990, he received the Administrator Award 
from the Colorado Music Educators' Association. He served as president 
of the Colorado High School Football Coaches Association and was 
inducted into the District 6 Coaches' Hall of Fame for his years of 
service to youth as a football and baseball coach. He is past president 
of the Northern League Principals Association and continues to consult 
and speak at various leadership conferences across the country.
  Greeley Central's Class of 1994 so greatly admired and respected John 
Christensen, their own principal, they chose him as their commencement 
speaker. His leadership and integrity has affected students, parents, 
teachers, and fellow administrators. In 1995, he received the 
prestigious Governor's Award for Excellence in Education. Most 
impressive of all is the new scholarship created in JC's name by 
Greeley Central's faculty. The John Christensen ``Pride, Class and 
Dignity Award'' is to be given to a Greeley Central High School senior 
who is active in student life, displays a distinguished academic 
record, and exemplifies outstanding leadership.
  I have worked with numerous public officials and business leaders 
from across the country. There are few of the same high caliber as John 
Christensen. His integrity, enthusiasm, and dedication are unequaled. 
For this, I thank him for his service and wish him and his family, 
Jonna, JJ and Jill, the very best.

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