[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 55 (Friday, April 27, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E663]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    TRIBUTE TO DR. ROBERT HAAKENSON

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. JOSEPH M. HOEFFEL

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, April 27, 2001

  Mr. HOEFFEL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Dr. Robert 
Haakenson upon his award as the 2001 Democrat of the Year and the 
Lifetime Achievement Award. Dr. Haakenson has served the Township of 
Cheltenham and the residents of Montgomery County, Pennsylvania in 
various capacities for the past fifty years.
  As a young man of 14, Dr. Haakenson joined the Minnesota National 
Guard and went on to bravely serve his country in the Navy during World 
War II. He saw duty which included amphibious attack landings on 
Sicily, Salerno, Anzio, and Southern France. He retired as a Lieutenant 
Commander. Following his service, he received his M.A and Ph.D. from 
the University of Iowa.
  Since 1953, Dr. Haakenson has served as a Democratic Committeeperson 
in Cheltenham and has been the chairman of the Democratic District 154 
for thirty-eight years. In 1963, he began his tenure on the Montgomery 
County Democratic Executive Committee where he was responsible for 
slating countywide candidates. He was elected Fourth Ward Commissioner 
in 1973 and was twice re-elected. He has been instrumental in gaining 
residential permit parking throughout the township and in the creation 
of the Victorian Homes of Wyncote Historic District.
  He also has served as a member of various boards and committees which 
include: Citizens Scholarship Foundation of America, Health Watch Inc., 
Carson Valley School, and the Committee of Seventy to name just a few.
  In addition to his political activities, he is a practicing 
psychologist and he and his wife Peg are known for their great singing 
voices.
  It is an honor to recognize Bob on his awards. I congratulate him on 
fifty years of service to the Cheltenham Community.

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