[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 130 (Monday, October 11, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1941]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[[Page E1941]]
                     TRIBUTE TO MADGE J. OVERHOUSE

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. MICHAEL M. HONDA

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, October 8, 2004

  Mr. HONDA. Mr. Speaker, today I rise in memory of Madge Jennings 
Overhouse to recognize her lifelong achievements and indisputable 
legacy of selfless volunteerism and dedication to public service. Madge 
Jennings Overhouse was born on July 29, 1924 in The Dalles, Oregon, and 
soon moved to San Jose. She attended San Jose State University, 
graduating cum laude in history, where she met her husband, a member of 
both the football and track teams. Madge married Howard Overhouse in 
1949, and they had one son, Richard, and three lovely grandchildren, 
Ashley Ann, Katie and Will Overhouse.
  Madge was a descendant of several generations of San Jose natives who 
served their city and passed that community service ethic on to her. 
The city's first and third fire chiefs, George and Richard Brown, were 
ancestors, and her father, Ralph James, was a San Jose fire captain. 
Her late husband, Howard Overhouse, also was a city firefighter. Madge 
herself worked for thirty years as a librarian at San Jose State 
University and San Jose City College.
  Her career as a librarian spanned almost 40 years and two 
institutions, beginning 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 multitude of contributions to the community throughout her 
lifetime is legend, and the list of civic organizations that Madge has 
helped is extensive. We would like to take a moment to reflect on a few 
pivotal moments 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 was 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. She was honored in 1994 as a County Woman of Achievement 
for her volunteerism. At the time, she was the political director for 
the county Democratic Information Center, which she co-founded in 1969. 
In 1986, she was named County Democrat of the Year. She was a 
Democratic nominee for the 22nd Assembly District in 1974, served as 
chairwoman of the Northern California women's division of the 
Democratic Party and was selected to vote as an elector in the 1992 
Electoral College. Over the years, she has been honored by local 
police, firefighters and the AFL-CIO Labor Council. This past January 
2003, she was presented the California Democratic Party's lifetime 
achievement award.

  Madge Overhouse, known for years as the godmother of the Democratic 
Party in Santa Clara County, hobnobbed with top local, state and 
national Democrats for more than 30 years. She was a Democratic 
National Committee member and attended all but one of the party's 
conventions, since Jimmy Carter's presidency.
  Madge began volunteering for political causes when politics was 
uncharted territory for women. As a result, she helped future 
generations of women see more possibilities available to them in 
politics. Also known as an Oracle of the Democratic Party, Madge lent 
her expertise to the careers of many public officials both male and 
female. Speaking from personal experience, Madge's gentleness in 
behavior, in advice and admonition will be my compass.
  It was on Wednesday, September 29, 2004 that Madge Overhouse died of 
apparent heart failure after battling breast cancer for two years. She 
was 80. The original diagnosis of cancer was she had a month to live.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise today to mourn the loss of a friend, a role model 
and a constant inspiration. Madge Overhouse's heroic service to our 
community and guidance to individuals inspired many to go beyond their 
expectations and, as a result, contribute to the betterment of our 
beautiful and diverse community in Santa Clara County. Madge was a true 
hero, in every word and action.

                          ____________________