[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 45 (Thursday, March 20, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E532]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[[Page E532]]
                 A TRIBUTE TO MADGE JENNINGS OVERHOUSE

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. ZOE LOFGREN

                             of california

                         HON. MICHAEL M. HONDA

                             of california

                             HON. SAM FARR

                             of california

                        HON. FORTNEY PETE STARK

                             of california

                           HON. ANNA G. ESHOO

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 20, 2003

  Ms. LOFGREN. Mr. Speaker, today we rise to recognize the achievements 
and life of Madge Jennings Overhouse. We have had the privilege of 
knowing Madge for many years, and can personally attest to her lasting 
legacy of achievement through selfless volunteerism. Hers is the 
epitome of a life dedicated to public service.
  Madge Jennings Overhouse was born in July 29, 1924 in The Dalles, 
Oregon, and soon moved to San Jose. She attended San Jose State 
University, graduating cum laude with honors in history. Madge married 
Howard Overhouse in 1949, and they have one son, Richard, and three 
lovely grandchildren.
  Marge's career as a librarian spanned almost 40 years and two 
institutions. She started out at San Jose State, then moved to San Jose 
Community College. Typical of Madge, she assumed a leadership role in 
her profession, serving on the Santa Clara County Library Commission 
from 1976 to 1982, as well as serving on the California Library Agency 
for Systems and Services from 1979 to 1984, representing Santa Clara 
County as an alternate for Supervisor Rod Diridon. Madge also served on 
the Steering Committee for the Master Plan of California Libraries.
  Madge's contributions to the community throughout her lifetime are 
legion, and the list of civic organizations that Madge has helped is 
long. We would like to take a moment to talk about them here. Madge was 
one of the first women to serve on the Executive Board of the Santa 
Clara County chapter of the Boy Scouts of America. The Santa Clara 
County Fair Association benefited from Madge's input as a Board member 
from 1987 to 1995. Madge also served on the boards of the Iota Delta 
Chapter of the Chi Omega sorority and the Campbell Historical 
Preservation Board. Madge is also a long-time member of the San Jose 
Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce. In addition, Madge lent her talents 
to the Multi-Modal Transportation Task Force, which led to the 
completion of Highway 85, which is now a major transportation artery in 
the Bay Area. During my time on the Santa Clara County Board of 
Supervisors, Madge's support on important measures such as this, which 
often meant doing the ``leg-work'' that no one else volunteered to do, 
was instrumental on so many occasions.
  Madge has an absolutely amazing record of political involvement, For 
more than thirty years, Madge has been a stalwart in the Democratic 
Party at the local, state, and national level. Madge has fostered and 
encouraged the careers of numerous public officials in California.
  Madge's lifelong commitment to volunteerism has been honored by 
almost every civic organization in Santa Clara County, and we are 
delighted to offer our heartfelt congratulations and gratitude to Madge 
for a lifetime of public service achievement.

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