[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 54 (Wednesday, March 28, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E658]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  HONORING THE LIFE OF JUANITA HAUGEN

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JERRY McNERNEY

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, March 27, 2007

  Mr. McNERNEY. Madam Speaker, today I ask my Colleagues to join me in 
honoring the life of Juanita Haugen, who passed away peacefully at age 
69 on March 5, 2007 after a courageous battle against lung cancer.
  Juanita Haugen was an extraordinary woman whose passion for education 
and commitment to students enriched the lives of so many. Her efforts 
and unwavering dedication to public service leave a legacy that will 
continue to benefit the students of Pleasanton, the state of California 
and our great Nation for generations to come.
  Juanita Haugen and her family moved to Pleasanton in 1970. Juanita 
became involved in the Pleasanton school system after leaving her job 
as a probation officer to care for her children at home. She was 
elected to the Amador Valley Joint Union High School District Board in 
1979 and was among the first trustees elected to the Pleasanton Unified 
School District (USD) following the 1988 reorganization that led to the 
District's creation. Juanita Haugen remained a member of the Pleasanton 
USD until her passing, and was the longest-serving trustee in the 
history of the local schools.
  Juanita Haugen strongly believed that children need not only a 
quality academic education, but also a solid ethical foundation on 
which to build strong character. She led the effort in the Pleasanton 
USD to establish a program that teaches and reinforces positive 
character traits in all public school students, from kindergarteners to 
high school seniors. This program continues to benefit students by 
focusing on the way in which they live and treat one another.
  In addition to her involvement with the Pleasanton schools, Juanita 
Haugen's passion for improving public education for all children 
inspired her to serve on both state and national school board 
associations. By sharing ideas about education that she learned from 
her state and national colleagues, Juanita kept Pleasanton's schools on 
the cutting edge. She always worked for the common good. In the words 
on one of her fellow school board members, ``You must make decisions 
for the entire school district, not just for your own child or school. 
Juanita always (said) it has to be right for everybody.''
  Although Juanita Haugen's efforts won her many awards, her true 
measure as a leader is how her passion for education inspired others, 
including her family, Pleasanton's students and her community. From 
reading to young students to encouraging others to become involved in 
public service, Juanita Haugen was a valued and respected leader who 
touched the lives of many and improved the quality of life in 
Pleasanton for decades to come. It is for these reasons that I ask my 
Colleagues to join me in honoring the memory of Juanita Haugen and 
sending our thoughts and prayers to her beloved family and friends.

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