[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 83 (Thursday, June 4, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1318]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      HONORING JOHN GILBERT STRONG

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. LYNN C. WOOLSEY

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, June 4, 2009

  Ms. WOOLSEY. Madam Speaker, I rise today with sadness to honor Mr. 
John Gilbert Strong of Petaluma, who passed away on April 25, 2009, at 
the age of 67. John spent much of his life dedicating his time and 
resources to addressing humanitarian issues at home and around the 
world.
  As a member of the Petaluma Valley Rotary, John presided as Club 
President and District Governor. His altruistic endeavors included a 
number of Rotary projects, which included supporting the Cool Kids Camp 
for Abused Children, providing furniture to schools in Guatemala and 
facilitating Rotary Youth Leadership Activities.
  His passion for helping others took him on adventures around the 
world. He promoted economic self-sufficiency in Thailand and Vietnam 
and built a library in a Central American village.
  He had limitless compassion and supported projects benefitting people 
in his local community. He provided emergency food relief to 
firefighters during the Oakland Hills fire, supported the Petaluma 
Library, and volunteered for the Committee on the Shelterless and the 
STRIVE program for at-risk youth.
  John's generous spirit and engaging leadership led to an impressive 
list of accolades, including the Rotary Club's Lifetime Achievement 
Award and the Citizen of the Year Award from the Petaluma Area Chamber 
of Commerce.
  John Strong, who battled Parkinson's later in life, was also a 
champion for continued research to find a cure for the disease.
  In addition to being a role model of civic responsibility, John was a 
skilled coppersmith. A native of England, he acquired coppersmith 
skills from working in the shipyards and attending the Liverpool 
College of Technology. After immigrating to the United States in 1963, 
he purchased Acme Sheet Metal and later started Copperworks, where he 
exhibited his talented craftsmanship by creating range hoods and other 
custom items.
  John is survived by his wife, Mamie Strong, his son, Karl Strong, his 
step-sons Curtis and Bradley Boomhower, as well as grandchildren, 
nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his step-daughter, Lolita 
Lynn Boomhower Courts.
  Madam Speaker, Mr. John Strong's passion for helping others will live 
on through those people around the world that he has positively 
influenced. His legacy will continue to serve as a shining example of 
the power one person holds to make a positive difference in our world.

                          ____________________