[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 98 (Thursday, July 15, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1389]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       IN MEMORY OF LEDA JELINEK

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. SAM FARR

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, July 14, 2004

  Mr. FARR. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Col. Leda Jelinek who 
passed away June 7, 2004. She served the country as a distinguished 
member of the Army Nurse Corps for 30 years until her retirement at 
Fort Ord in 1971. Col. Jelinek is survived by her sister, Veva 
Fitzgerald of Monterey and many friends who loved her.
  Born in Bonesteel, South Dakota, Leda entered nurse's training at the 
Hospital of St. Vincent's in Sioux City, Iowa. After completing the 
program with distinction, Leda began a long and remarkable nursing 
career. She was commissioned by the Army Nurses Corps in 1941 and 
subsequently served at a plethora of Army hospitals throughout the 
United States. In addition, she served in Korea, Germany and Japan. 
General George Marshall was one of her many patients on the VIP floor 
of Walter Reed Hospital in 1953. She was a Chief Nurse Anesthetist 
before her promotion to Major whence she became the Director of the 
Advanced Medical Specialist School at Fort Bragg. Upon her retirement 
and during her distinguished career Leda received the Army of 
Occupation Medal (Japan), American Campaign Medal, the National Defense 
Service Medal, World War II Victory Medal, Legion of Merit, the 
American Defense Service Medal and the Meritorious Service Medal.
  Col. Jelinek was an ardent supporter of the Democratic Party and was 
a Jimmy Carter delegate at the National Democratic Convention of 1976. 
Former Congressman Leon Panetta had her as a campaign worker on 
numerous campaigns. She was affiliated with Monterey County Democratic 
Party and the Women's Democratic Club.
  Mr. Speaker, I applaud Leda's many accomplishments, and I commend her 
for her lifelong dedication to her community and friends. She was a 
remarkable figure, and her memory will live on in the many people whose 
lives she has touched. I join the Monterey Bay community, and friends 
and family in honoring this truly admirable woman and friend for all of 
her lifelong achievements.

                          ____________________