[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 89 (Friday, June 28, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1177]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        IN HONOR OF KEN PETERSON

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. WILLIAM M. THOMAS

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 27, 2002

  Mr. THOMAS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of a friend 
and fellow public servant from my Congressional district, Kern County 
Supervisor Ken Peterson.
  Ken was committed to his family, his faith, and his community. Becky, 
his wife, their eight children and three grandchildren, were Ken's 
inspiration, support structure and compass. They knew well Ken's motto, 
``working quietly and effectively.'' It exemplified the life he led.
  The Petersons moved to Bakersfield in the 1970s from Orange County, 
California. Before dedicating his career to serving his community in 
public office, he owned and operated a local family business, 
contributing to the growth and development of the area. In the process, 
gaining a better understanding of the needs of the people he would 
later serve.
  In 1992, Ken was elected to the Kern County Board of Supervisors and 
was re-elected to subsequent terms in 1996 and 2000. Previously, Ken 
served as a member of the Bakersfield City Council, including 2 years 
as Vice-Mayor. He served as Chairman of the Board of Supervisors in 
1995 and 2000 and ably represented Kern County before the United States 
Senate and House Subcommittees, testifying on the issue of Endangered 
Species Act Reform.
  Ken and I worked together on a number of issues over the years: 
hospital funding, oil and energy production, land use, private property 
rights, along with other local concerns of the people who live and work 
in Bakersfield and Kern County.
  A strong advocate for local control and personal responsibility, Ken 
believed in welfare reform that empowers individuals so that they could 
take control of their lives. He was also committed to making government 
more business friendly. He was an ardent protector of free speech and a 
defender of the Boy Scouts of America. An avid outdoorsman, he enjoyed 
golf, hunting, hiking and camping with his family.
  Ken Peterson was an original. I was honored to know him and work with 
him. Ken will be missed.

                          ____________________