[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 22 (Wednesday, February 4, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E208]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        IN MEMORY OF KEN RUFENER

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. ELTON GALLEGLY

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 4, 2009

  Mr. GALLEGLY. Madam Speaker, I rise in memory of my friend, Ken 
Rufener, who passed away Saturday after a fulfilling 89 years.
  Ken Rufener was the epitome of service. He served as a United States 
Air Force statistical officer in the Far Eastern theater during World 
War II, and subsequently made the Air Force his first career. Before 
retiring 26 years later, Ken was assigned to the Pentagon before being 
loaned to the Rand Corporation in Southern California
  After the Air Force, Ken moved his wife, Doris, and their two 
children to Westlake Village and he went to work as a cost analyst for 
the Hughes Aircraft company for the next 15 years.
  His new home became the beneficiary of Ken's energy, sense of service 
and sense of community. He helped bring youth baseball to Westlake 
Village, serving as first vice president and coach of the Westlake 
Athletic Association. He is credited with keeping the Westlake Golf 
Course from becoming an industrial park. Ken also served as president 
of the First Neighborhood Homeowners Association.
  In 1987, Ken was elected to the Westlake City Council for his first 
of two 4-year terms and served as mayor for 2 years. After retiring 
from the council, Ken was elected in 1997 to a 4-year term on the Las 
Virgenes District Water Board.
  Ken was a member of the Military Order of the World Wars and the 
Retired Officers Association of America.
  Among the awards Ken received for his service were the Patrick Henry 
Patriotism Award, Westlake Village Citizen of the Year, and the Conejo 
Valley/Las Virgenes Civitas award for service to the Conejo Valley.
  Ken and Doris's daughter, Karen, died about 10 years ago.
  Madam Speaker, I know my colleagues will join my wife, Janice, and me 
in offering condolences to Ken's wife of 62 years, Doris, their son, 
David, and all their family and friends, and in celebrating Ken's life 
of service to his country, his community and his family.
  Godspeed, Ken.

                          ____________________