[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 147 (Monday, October 1, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2034]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  HONORING JOHN JOSEPH ``JACK'' HEALY

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. LYNN C. WOOLSEY

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Monday, October 1, 2007

  Ms. WOOLSEY. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor John Joseph 
``Jack'' Healy, former Santa Rosa mayor and city councilmember, who 
died recently as a result of a traffic accident. Jack, who was 81, was 
known for helping others and promoting education.
  Because of his delightful personality, Jack was a top vote-getter in 
elections. He served the city for a dozen years before retiring because 
of heart problems.
  In civic affairs, Jack did his homework on the issues and was known 
for treating people--even those who disagreed with him--with respect. 
Friends say that because of this, he had no enemies.
  ``He was one of the kinder, more thoughtful City Council persons, who 
didn't just look at the technicality of the issue, but how it impacted 
people,'' longtime friend and former council colleague Schuyler 
Jeffries told reporters upon hearing the news of Jack's death.
  Before becoming involved in politics, Jack joined the business 
faculty at Santa Rosa Junior College. Perhaps because of his own 
struggles to get a college education, Jack worked to help others 
achieve this accomplishment, and eventually he became dean of the 
campus evening program.
  ``I always was impressed by his desire to give people a hand up who 
needed it,'' his son, Mike Healy, says. ``He went out of his way to 
help people better themselves in life.''
  The son of Irish immigrants--his father was a copper miner who died 
when Jack was young--Jack dreamed of going to college. Thanks to the GI 
Bill, that dream was realized after World War II, when he attended San 
Francisco State University. There, he met his wife, Sharon, to whom he 
was married for 54 years until her death in May. The couple had two 
sons, Mike and Matt, who survive them, along with two grandchildren, 
Megan and Tom.
  Jack was a well-liked member of the ``old gray mayors,'' an informal 
group of former city leaders, and continued to remain active in local 
affairs even after his retirement, serving for eight years on the 
Sonoma County Library Commission.
  Madam Speaker, I would like to honor a man who served his community 
not only wisely but also well. Jack will long be missed.

                          ____________________