[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 185 (Wednesday, December 5, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2502]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     HONORING HOLLY AND HENRY WENDT

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                           HON. MIKE THOMPSON

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, December 5, 2007

  Mr. THOMPSON of California. Madam Speaker, I rise today with my 
colleague Representative Woolsey to congratulate Holly and Henry Wendt, 
who are being honored by Healthcare Foundation Northern Sonoma County 
with the first annual Wetzel Community Leadership Award. They are being 
recognized for their contributions to life in Sonoma County and their 
philanthropic leadership on behalf of numerous local causes and 
organizations.
  Henry and Holly have been fixtures in Sonoma County for many years, 
where until recently they owned the highly regarded Quivira Vineyards. 
Mr. Wendt, formerly the CEO of SmithKline Beecham, spent four decades 
working in the pharmaceutical and health care industry, and he remains 
active on the boards of several major corporations.
  Together, the Wendts have given greatly to the community in Sonoma 
County, particularly in the fields of education and health care. They 
offered their substantial resources to Healdsburg High School to 
renovate and expand the Holly and Henry Wendt Library. In addition, 
their work with the Pediatric Dental Initiative, for which Mr. Wendt 
serves on the advisory board, has progressed the work of the soon to be 
opened Redwood Empire Surgery Center. This facility will bring the 
highest quality dental care to youngsters in coastal northern 
California.
  Mr. Wendt has given generously with his time and deep knowledge of 
health care to facilitate the work of Healthcare Foundation Northern 
Sonoma County. His substantial leadership gift helped ensure that the 
Healdsburg District Hospital campaign was successful and the hospital 
remains an outstanding health care provider. Further, he has been 
instrumental in the success of the Community Foundation Sonoma County. 
Having served multiple terms as chairman of the board, he provided 
superb guidance and experience to help the foundation expand its 
resources and reach, and he remains a member of the leadership board.
  Madam Speaker and colleagues, at this time it is appropriate that we 
congratulate Holly and Henry Wendt, who are receiving the Wetzel 
Community Leadership Award. The Wendts have been dynamic and generous 
figures in Sonoma County, and the wisdom and guidance they bring to 
philanthropic endeavors has been a boon to the community.

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