[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 20 (Tuesday, February 29, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E189-E190]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                MEMORIAL TRIBUTE TO JOHN ``JACK'' RAHDER

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. GRACE F. NAPOLITANO

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, February 29, 2000

  Mrs. NAPOLITANO. Mr. Speaker, it is with deepest sympathy that I pay 
a special tribute to my constituent John ``Jack'' Rahder, of Whittier, 
who passed away in an automobile accident on February 10. With his 
passing, Whittier lost an exemplary citizen--a great husband, father, 
grandfather and community volunteer.
  Jack will be remembered for the tremendous support he gave his wife 
throughout her career and in her current position as the City of 
Whittier's Planning Commissioner. Helen was by his side in that tragic 
car accident and luckily she survived, though with many injuries. We 
pray for her speedy recovery.
  Publicly, Jack will be widely remembered for his tremendous efforts 
as a volunteer--an endeavor to which he dedicated himself full-time 
after his retirement in 1990. Through his involvement with community 
programs at St. Mary's Catholic Church, Jack delivered tons of surplus 
food and supplies each week from a

[[Page E190]]

regional food bank in Los Angeles to low income families in Whittier.
  It was fitting that Jack gave so much of his time and energy to a 
community that was deeply interwoven with his own life. He was born in 
Whittier on October 17, 1939. His mother, Doris Burton Rahder, was a 
longtime Whittier resident and 1927 graduate of Whittier High School. 
As a child, Jack moved to the Central Valley with his family and 
graduated from Bakersfield High School and the Northrop Institute of 
Technology. He then worked as an aerospace designer for Boeing and 
Northrop, and later became a pilot for United Airlines.
  Even though he lived in Bakersfield, Jack strengthened his ties with 
his hometown when he married Helen McKenna, also of Whittier, in 1978. 
Five years later, they returned to Whittier with their six children.
  Jack is survived by his brother Keith, his children David, Robbie, 
Teri, Chris, T.K. and Katie and ten grandchildren. His family and 
friends will miss him greatly and to them I extend by sincerest 
heartfelt sympathy and pray that they will receive God's comforting 
graces in abundance.

                          ____________________