[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 90 (Tuesday, June 3, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1126]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  IN MEMORY OF KEITH AND JAYNIE PAULSON, VINCE WHITELEY, AND JENNIFER 
                                 DRAKE

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. MIKE THOMPSON

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 3, 2008

  Mr. THOMPSON of California. Madam Speaker, I rise to honor the all 
too short lives of Keith and Jaynie Paulson, Vince Whiteley, and 
Jennifer Drake, residents of my district, who died tragically in a 
small plane crash on May 23, 2008.
  The epitome of the all-American family, Keith and Jaynie Paulson 
moved to the village of Albion on the Mendocino coast in northern 
California in 1976 and immediately became an integral and respected 
part of the community. A former high school science teacher from the 
Bay Area, Keith originally planned to develop hydroponic greenhouses.
  Once he purchased a tractor, he was hired to do jobs for neighbors 
and then through word of mouth he found a niche digging trenches and 
installing underground utilities. In 1977, Paulson Excavating was born 
with Keith at the helm and Jaynie the chief financial officer. By 1981, 
the company had grown to the point of bidding on jobs in and outside of 
Mendocino County installing telecommunications components and doing 
projects for public agencies including cities, counties, special 
districts and the State. Their workforce grew from a core of 15 to as 
many as 75 employees.
  Known and respected by their peers for exemplary business practices, 
the Paulsons were also beloved by colleagues and neighbors on the 
Mendocino coast, where their roots were deep. They raised two children, 
Amy and Brian, and were involved in their school, sports and other 
extra curricular activities. Bryan continues the work of Paulson 
Excavating. Amy is mother to the 3 Paulson grandchildren: Lincoln, 
Jackson, and Anna.
  Jaynie served on the Mendocino Unified School District Board from 
1991 until 2004. Keith also served for a short time on the school board 
and was the coach of the Mendocino High School golf team. He was a 
member of the Albion-Little River Volunteer Fire Department for 7 years 
and held various officer positions. A meticulous and expert pilot for 
25 years, Keith was appointed as pilot representative to the Little 
River Airport Advisory Committee in 2007 by the County of Mendocino.
  The tragedy, which took their lives, also claimed Amy's husband, 
Vince Whiteley, a graphic artist from Windsor and Bryan's long-time 
girlfriend, Jennifer Drake from Albion. The Mendocino coast community 
is left with a hole in the hearts of so many. Accolades and tributes to 
this sterling couple and their children's mates help the grieving as we 
try to make sense of their loss.
  Madam Chair and colleagues, please join me in conveying our deepest 
sympathy to the children, loved ones, and the community, during this 
sorrowful time as we recognize and honor the lives and contributions of 
Keith and Jaynie Paulson and Vince Whiteley and Jennifer Drake.

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