[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 33 (Thursday, March 1, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E295-E296]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 IN HONOR OF DENNIS ``DENNY'' GILLETTE

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. ELTON GALLEGLY

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 1, 2012

  Mr. GALLEGLY. Mr. Speaker, I rise in honor of Dennis ``Denny'' 
Gillette, who retires today after nearly 14 years on the Thousand Oaks 
City Council, making him the second-longest serving councilmember in 
the city's history.
  My wife, Janice, and I have had the honor of knowing Denny and his 
wife, Terry, for more than 30 years. Denny spent his entire adult life 
in the service of his country and his community, as a Marine, as a 
sheriff's deputy who rose to the rank of assistant sheriff, as vice 
president of California Lutheran University (CLU), and as an elected 
official.
  Denny stepped down from the council for health reasons. I mention 
that only to share a story that illustrates his dedication as a public 
servant. Last month, Denny was hospitalized for surgery. At the time, 
the council was interviewing candidates for city attorney. Although 
Denny was advised by his doctors to rest, Denny insisted that the 
finalists come to the hospital, where he interviewed them from his 
hospital bed.
  I was not surprised to hear that story.
  When Denny was with the Ventura County Sheriff's Department--a career 
that spanned 25 years--I worked with him often on criminal justice 
issues. During his 12-year stint as vice president of CLU, we worked 
together on educational and community issues. As a cotuicilmember--and 
three-time mayor--we worked together on a host of issues, including the 
widening of the 123 Freeway and 101/23 freeway interchange.
  Denny's sure hand and calm but determined demeanor ensured that 
projects moved forward and were completed. Denny was also served 10 
years on the Conejo Recreation and Park District Board before deciding 
to run for the City Council, and he completed many of the park projects 
he started on the park board from the council dais.
  His many other accomplishments are too lengthy to list here, but they 
include: construction of the Community Transportation Center; forging a 
strong working relationship among the city, Park District, and Conejo 
Valley Unified School District; forging a highly successfully ``Town-
Gown'' relationship between the city and CLU when he was at CLU, 
resulting in the successful completion of the North Campus Specific 
Plan and construction of the popular Community Pool located on the CLU 
campus; and construction of state-of-the-art athletic fields at Newbury 
Park High School, Thousand Oaks High School, and Westlake High School.
  Current Mayor Jacqui Irwin told a local newspaper that when she 
learned of Denny's decision to retire, her heart dropped because she 
could not imagine the City Council without him.
  The rest of the community feels the same way, Denny.
  Mr. Speaker, I know my colleagues join me in thanking Denny for his 
lifetime of public service and in wishing him good health and many 
years of continued happiness with Terry, his wife of 42 years, and 
their daughters, Kristine and Lisa.

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