[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 60 (Thursday, May 5, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E817-E818]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       RECOGNIZING THE LIFE AND PUBLIC SERVICE OF DARLENE JENSEN

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. DEVIN NUNES

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 5, 2011

  Mr. NUNES. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the life and work 
of Darlene Jensen, who passed away on April 13, 2011. Darlene was a 
legendary Tulare community leader. In fact, she was named Tulare Woman 
of the Year in 1993. For many people, Darlene was Tulare Woman of the 
Year, every year.
  Darlene lived in Tulare her entire life. She was born on January 20, 
1948, and attended Tulare Western High School and the College of the 
Sequoias before beginning a career in banking. She started at Security 
Pacific National Bank and worked for almost 20 years at the downtown 
Tulare branch of Wells Fargo, becoming a ``Star Manager.''
  Many people will remember Darlene as the manager of Wells Fargo. But 
many more will remember her lasting contribution to the community of 
Tulare. At the time of her death, Darlene was president of the Tulare 
Improvement Board and vice-president of the Board of Utilities. For her 
public service, she was named Legislative Woman of the Year in 2001. 
She was also active in the St. Aloysius Catholic Church, Our Lady of 
Fatima Celebration, and past-president of the Lions Club.
  This only begins to tell part of the story of Darlene's commitment to 
the people of Tulare. Her energy was prodigious. There were few groups, 
clubs, or events in Tulare in which Darlene was not in some way 
involved. They

[[Page E818]]

all benefited from what has been called the ``Darlene touch.'' For 
example, one of her favorite events was the downtown Tulare Christmas 
Tree Lighting, where she and her mother, Agnes, would cook upwards of 
5,000 cookies to give away.
  For 63 years Darlene Jensen represented the best of Tulare. Everyone 
she knew was affected by her commitment to public service and passion 
for Tulare. She leaves behind a legacy that will be hard to equal. The 
people of Tulare will miss Darlene for years to come.

                          ____________________