[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 125 (Thursday, September 18, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1802]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   TRIBUTE TO MARK AND DIANE KROEKER

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. HOWARD L. BERMAN

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 18, 1997

  Mr. BERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I am honored to pay tribute to Mark and 
Diane Kroeker, who this year are being saluted by Bridge Focus, a 
social service agency in the San Fernando Valley. The Kroekers are 
receiving an award for being exemplary parents and for a long tradition 
of helping their community. I cannot think of two people who better fit 
this description than Mark and Diane.
  I have had a warm personal and professional relationship with Mark 
for many years, particularly during the time he served as commander of 
the San Fernando Valley Bureau of the Los Angeles Police Department.
  Like many others, I have tremendous respect and admiration for Mark's 
work. The LAPD could have not picked a more ideal representative in the 
valley. Mark was constantly looking for ways to improve relations 
between the Department and community. He spent hundreds of hours 
meeting with local leaders. It was a sad day for all of us when Mark 
was transferred to another bureau.
  Mark's reputation for compassion and concern extends beyond the 
workplace. He is widely known as the founder and chairman of the board 
of the World Children's Transplant Fund. He rarely misses an 
opportunity to tell people of the organization and its wonderful work.
  Mark and Diane are active supporters of the World Children's 
Transplant Fund, which in 1994 presented Mark with its Man of the Year 
Award. There are children around the world who literally owe their 
lives to Mark and Diane Kroeker.
  I ask my colleagues to join me today in saluting Mark and Diane 
Kroeker, proud and loving parents of Kent, Kirk, and Katrina. Mark and 
Diane's dedication to their community and their love for the children 
of the world inspires us all.

                          ____________________