[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 83 (Thursday, June 14, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1109]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    CONGRATULATING ELMER BECKENDORF

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. KEVIN BRADY

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 14, 2001

  Mr. BRADY of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a dear friend 
and outstanding Texan, Mr. Elmer Beckendorf. This Saturday, June 16, 
2001, Elmer a member of the North Harris Montgomery Community College 
District Board of Trustees will receive the Association of Community 
College Trustee's Regional Trustee Leadership Award. His commitment to 
public service and above all his dedication and support for education 
earned him this rightly deserved honor.
   Born December 14, 1921 in Harris County, Texas, Elmer is a fifth 
generation resident of Harris County, Texas. He graduated from Addicks 
High School and attended the University of Houston. During World War 
II, Elmer served in United States Army Signal Corp attached to the Air 
Force installing and maintaining radio equipment providing 
communications for an Air Force Fighter Wing in the Pacific area of 
operations, Okinawa and surrounding areas. After the war, he returned 
to Texas where he married Dorothy Heldberg. They have three children, 
six grandchildren and two great grandchildren. In 1954 Mr. Beckendorf 
formed E.L. Beckendorf and Sons, Inc., an independent dairy farm.
  Elmer Beckendorf has been a true leader in his community, having 
served on public boards for 47 years. He has served on the North Harris 
Montgomery Community College District (NHMCCD) Board of Trustees for 
sixteen years including two two-year terms as chair and two two-year 
terms as vice chair. During his service, the college district has grown 
from two campuses serving four school districts to four, soon to be 
five, comprehensive campuses and six educational centers serving nine 
school districts in a 1400 square mile area with a population of over 1 
million citizens.
  He was elected to and has served on the Tomball Independent School 
District Board of Trustees for 22 years, holding various offices 
including president during
  Civic organizations on which he has served include the Tomball 
Regional Hospital Authority Board of Directors, member since 1975, 
chairman since 1982; the Cypress Creek Branch of Greater Houston YMCA, 
board member 1975-1986 receiving the Volunteer of the Year in 1979; the 
Rotary Club of Tomball, member 1955 to present; the Greater Tomball 
Chamber of Commerce member since 1975 receiving the Citizen of Year in 
1979; the Texas Forage and Grassland Council, Charter member, 1979 to 
present and President from 1981-1984; the Houston Milk Producers 
Federal Credit Union as an Officer of the board for 29 years; the 
Association of Community College Trustees as a Lifetime member; the 
Dairy Shrine Club as a Lifetime member and the Tomball Future Farmers 
of America as an Honorary Chapter Farmer.
  Additionally, Elmer Beckendorf has been a champion of education 
supporting and leading initiatives in the area of economic development, 
workforce development and K-16 partnerships. With his support, NHMCCD 
has established Center for Business and Economic Development (CBED), a 
center focused on economic development initiatives and workforce 
development needs of our region. His support for K-16 partnerships, 
initiatives and agreements has led to the seamless flow of curriculum, 
program and services from public school through community colleges and 
universities.
  The Association of Community College Trustees could not have picked a 
more outstanding person for this award. Elmer Beckendorf is a very 
special person and one who exemplifies the true public citizen willing 
to give tirelessly of himself in order that others may benefit. On 
behalf of the U.S. House of Representatives and the citizens of the 8th 
Congressional District of Texas, I offer our warmest congratulations.

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