[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 133 (Friday, September 9, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1580]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              HONORING JERE MELO OF FORT BRAGG, CALIFORNIA

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. MIKE THOMPSON

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, September 9, 2011

  Mr. THOMPSON of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate 
the life, civic accomplishments and exemplary public service of Jere 
Melo, city council member and former mayor of the City of Fort Bragg on 
the Mendocino Coast. Jere Melo, 69, a personal friend of mine who was 
tragically murdered on August 27, 2011, leaves a bigger than life swath 
throughout this beautiful coastal town.
  Born and raised in Mount Shasta in northwestern California, Jere Melo 
received a degree in forestry from the University of California at 
Berkeley in 1964. He was commissioned in the U.S. Army and served in 
South Korea and completed six years as a commander in the Army 
Reserves. In 1966 he moved to Fort Bragg where he worked in the local 
lumber mill. A much admired and loved father, brother, uncle, and 
devoted husband, Jere was married to the love of his life, Madeleine, 
for twenty-four years.
  Jere Melo is known for using his personable skills to get things done 
in a cooperative way while all the while pursuing renewable methods to 
keep jobs in the forests. With his affable nature, ready smile and 
indefatigable energy, Jere Melo was a gentle giant of a man who used 
multiple approaches to listening to all sides and resolving problems, 
thus gaining the respect of many facets of the community.
  Jere was the mayor of Fort Bragg from 2000 until 2004 and on the city 
council for the past 15 years. In addition he has served on the 
Planning Commission, the Public Safety Committee, the Fire Protection 
Agency, the League of California Cities and was a leader of the Coastal 
Cities Issues Group.
  For many years, Jere, known as the ``grill master'' coordinated the 
cooks for the World's Largest Salmon Barbecue, a benefit for salmon 
restoration. In 2002, he was honored with a lifetime achievement award 
by the Redwood Region Logging Conference for his decades of work in and 
on behalf of the timber industry.
  Among his crowning achievements was spearheading the fundraising for 
the new Timberwolf High School stadium. He was an instrumental and 
valuable supporter of the Fort Bragg Fire Department. And he delighted 
animal lovers with his support and work for the local dog park and the 
animal shelter.
  Mr. Speaker and colleagues, Jere Melo has earned the admiration and 
respect of his peers, his community and his family. A gentleman, a 
forester, a facilitator and someone who easily worked with differing 
viewpoints, Jere embodied what every citizen wishes from a political 
representative. He was a friend and colleague whose legacy and 
contributions are long lasting not only in Fort Bragg but throughout 
the Northern California coast and timber country. For these reasons, it 
is appropriate that we honor an extraordinary citizen, Jere Melo.

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