[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 128 (Thursday, October 3, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1743]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     MEMORIALIZING DR. ROY E. YOUNG

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. MICHAEL M. HONDA

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, October 2, 2002

  Mr. HONDA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the memory of Dr. Roy 
Young of San Jose, California. As a devoted husband, father, and 
professor, Dr. Young deeply influenced the lives of thousands of 
Californians.
  On July 26th, 1925, Dr. Young was born in San Angelo, Texas where he 
was raised. He studied theater at Cornell University and earned his 
Ph.D. at the University of Texas at Austin. During World War II, he 
served as an ensign on the battleship USS West Virginia. Eventually, 
Dr. Young moved to San Jose where he served as professor and chairman 
of the political science department at San Jose State University for 30 
years. During his tenure, his research focused on American politics and 
elections. He created two new courses at San Jose State University on 
public opinion and ethnic politics.
  The University and Bay Area were fortunate to be recipients of his 
work. He gave to his community as a professor and as an active 
community member. Twice elected chair of San Jose State University's 
Academic Senate, he challenged the University's governance policies. He 
was a proud democrat and an active member of the San Jose Board of 
Ethics and Campaign Finance. The University's College of Social 
Sciences presented him the Distinguished Service Award. In each 
position, he took seriously the responsibilities placed on him, often 
challenging the status quo.
  His teaching was what he was most proud of. His passion for education 
overflowed into every aspect of his life. His dedication to his 
students went far beyond the prescribed role of a professor. If a 
student needed a book, he would purchase it with his own money. His 
love of learning extended beyond the classroom and into his home. A 
lover of books, his house is filled from floor to ceiling with texts 
covering a broad range of subjects. As testimony to his devotion to 
education, Dr. Young chose to be buried on a hill overlooking San Jose 
State University and the students of tomorrow.
  In the last years of his life, Dr. Young recovered from a heart 
attack and battled Parkinson's Disease and cancer. Though his last 
years were difficult, they slowed his busy schedule giving him 
cherished time to spend with friends and family. In passing, he leaves 
his loving wife Linda and his two sons Jason and Joshua. He succumbed 
to pneumonia on August 8th at the age of 77.
  Mr. Speaker, I extend my deepest condolences to Dr. Young's wife, 
children, and friends. Please join me in honoring a truly exceptional 
individual, Dr. Roy Young, who dedicated his life to the service of 
others. I want to give thanks for all he did throughout his life to 
make his community and our country better for human kind.

                          ____________________