[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 10 (Wednesday, January 23, 2008)]
[Senate]
[Page S203]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    IN CELEBRATION OF LOUIS BURGELIN

 Mrs. BOXER. Mr. President, I am pleased and honored to pay 
tribute to Louis--Lou--Brosnahan Burgelin for his 65-plus years of 
dedicated service to the greater Vallejo community.
  Born on January 20, 1916 in Vallejo, CA, to Otto and Frances 
Burgelin, Lou graduated from Vallejo High School in 1932 and went on to 
graduate from the Mare Island Naval Shipyard Apprentice School as a 
marine machinist.
  Always eager to exceed expectations, Lou held numerous management 
positions throughout his career with the United States Navy, including 
production control manager at Norfolk Naval Shipyard, chief progressman 
at Mare Island, and head progressman at Hunter's Point. In addition, 
Lou worked his way up from charter member to national president of the 
Naval Civilian Manager's Association and also served as president of 
the Council of Naval Employee Groups, which represents all of the 
employees of West Coast naval shipyards.
  After retiring from Federal service in 1972, Lou became the executive 
secretary of the Armed Services Committee of the Vallejo Chamber of 
Commerce, a position he held for 19 years. This was just one of many 
leadership positions he held in his beloved hometown, with other civic 
engagements including first chairman of the Vallejo Senior Citizens 
Center, Exalted Ruler of the Vallejo Elks Lodge, and president of the 
Vallejo-Napa United Way.
  Lou was also actively involved with the city of Vallejo's naval 
landmark, Mare Island. His lobbying efforts for military construction 
projects on Mare Island and his efforts to maintain dredging operations 
necessary for shipyard operations culminated in his receipt of the 
Public Service Medal by the Navy's Chief of Operations.
  Proving that age will not slow him down, Lou is still active in the 
greater Vallejo community, currently serving as president of the 
Vallejo Council of the Navy League of the United States, treasurer for 
the Salvation Army, and national legislative chair for the Vallejo 
NARFE Chapter 16. In addition to his ongoing civic involvement, Lou 
remains happily married to the former Betty Greenwell. Approaching 69 
years of marriage, Lou and Betty have three children, three 
grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren.
  When I first met Lou in the eighties, I knew he was a powerful voice 
for his community and he became one of my top advisors when I 
represented Vallejo in Congress.
  After more than 65 years of continuing service to the city of Vallejo 
and U.S. Navy, I remain in admiration of Lou's strong sense of civic 
duty. Along with hundreds of his friends and admirers throughout the 
city of Vallejo, I wish him many more years of continued community 
involvement and leadership.

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