[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 50 (Thursday, April 7, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E660-E661]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          CELEBRATING THE 89TH BIRTHDAY OF GEORGE N. ZENOVICH

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. JIM COSTA

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 7, 2011

  Mr. COSTA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the Honorable 
George N. Zenovich on the occasion of the celebration of his 89th year.
  George N. Zenovich was born of Serbian ancestry on April 29, 1922 in 
Fresno, California. Raised in his beloved San Joaquin Valley, in 1955 
he wed Vera Sarenca in Belgrade, Yugoslavia. To their great joy, they 
became the parents of two children, Ninon and Marina. George proudly 
served a tour of duty for our Nation as a member of the U. S. Army Air 
Force during World War II. Mr. Zenovich embodies what has become known 
as the ``Greatest Generation'' and indeed all that is honorable about 
our esteemed veterans. As journalist Tom Brokaw wrote in his 1998 book, 
``The Greatest Generation,'' he defended our country neither for fame 
nor recognition, but because it was the right thing to do. That sense 
of honor would stay with George Zenovich throughout his entire career.
  A calling for public service would continue to run deep within George 
Zenovich. When his military service to our country concluded, Mr. 
Zenovich continued his education in the area of law, becoming a noted 
attorney; a calling which would later serve as the foundation for 
democratic representation of the people of the State of California.
  In 1963, George Zenovich was elected to serve in the California State 
Assembly. As a testament to his leadership, he earned the distinction 
of serving in the post of Assembly Majority Leader, a position second 
only to the Assembly Speaker. This service marked the first time that 
two San Joaquin Valley legislators from the same political party had 
held high positions simultaneously in the state legislature. In 1968, 
his passion for representing those under the democratic umbrella led 
him to be selected as a delegate for the 1968 Democratic National 
Convention. Shortly thereafter, George Zenovich was elected to the 
position of State Senator for California, providing representation for 
all those in his cherished Central Valley.
  During his tenure in the State Senate, George was instrumental in 
passing several landmark pieces of legislation. It was during his time 
in the California Senate that the notable California Arts Council was 
created by the Dixon-Zenovich-Maddy California Arts Act of 1975. This 
legislation was enacted to encourage artistic awareness, participation, 
and expression; to assist independent local groups develop art 
programs; to promote the employment of artists in both the public and 
private

[[Page E661]]

sector; to provide for the exhibition of artwork in public buildings; 
and, to enlist the assistance of all state agencies in the task of 
ensuring the fullest expression of artistic potential.
  George was also a tireless champion for California's agricultural 
workers, co-sponsoring the Alatorre-Zenovich-Dunlap-Berman California 
Agricultural Labor Relations Act which became the first law in the 
nation recognizing the right of farm workers to bargain collectively. 
He was also responsible for the Zenovich-Moscone-Chacon Housing and 
Home Finance Act which authorized bonds for low and moderate income 
housing and established the California Housing Finance Agency.
  However, George Zenovich's greatest passion was championing the cause 
of physically, mentally, and neurologically handicapped children. He 
sponsored funding of programs for autistic children, established the 
Diagnostic School for Neurologically Handicapped children in Fresno in 
1973, and chaired the Select Committee on Children and Youth. As a 
legislator his passion for California was truly remarkable.
  In order to further fulfill his quest for justice, in 1979 Mr. 
Zenovich accepted the coveted position as an associate justice for the 
5th District Court of Appeals where he balanced the scales of justice 
for those in Fresno, Tulare, Kings, Madera, Mariposa, Merced, Kern, 
Tuolumne and Stanislaus counties. It was during this time that the 
appellate court expanded from three justices to eight, and this court 
has now grown to include ten associate justices.
  As a testament to George N. Zenovich, in 2008 Fresno's new 5th 
District Court of Appeals building was named the George Zenovich Court 
of Appeals. Always a humble man dedicated to his ancestry, George 
Zenovich shared this honor with Armenians who settled in the Central 
Valley area more than a century ago.
  The leadership and commitment Mr. Zenovich has demonstrated has never 
wavered nor has his honor in service. I respectfully ask my colleagues 
to join me in bestowing best wishes to The Honorable George Zenovich as 
we acknowledge all that he has done during his lifetime for those 
throughout the great State of California.

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