[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 45 (Monday, March 19, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E378]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   IN MEMORY OF ALEXANDER HILDEBRAND

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JERRY McNERNEY

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, March 19, 2012

  Mr. McNERNEY. Mr. Speaker, today I rise with my colleagues 
Congressman George Miller, Congressman Mike Thompson, Congresswoman 
Doris Matsui, and Congressman John Garamendi to honor the life of 
Alexander Hildebrand, who passed away at age 98 on January 23, 2012.
  Alex was a father, farmer, engineer, and defender of the Sacramento-
San Joaquin Delta. Alex graduated with honors from UC Berkeley with a 
degree in Physics and Chemistry in 1935. Alex went on to have a lengthy 
career with Standard Oil, working in refining and other areas. During 
World War II, Alex contributed to the war effort by serving in the Navy 
Reserves and then as chief engineer at an oil refinery in the Persian 
Gulf. He took an early retirement from Standard Oil and moved his 
family to a farm near Manteca in San Joaquin County, California in 
1962. Alex loved the land and was working on his farm into his 90s.
  Alex was a champion of Delta water and agriculture as the consulting 
engineer to the South Delta Water Agency. Additionally, he served on 
numerous boards and committees including the San Joaquin Farm Bureau 
board, the California Farm Bureau water committee, the Delta Water 
Users board, the Water Education Foundation advisory board, and the 
California Central Valley Flood Control Association board. He worked to 
create the San Joaquin River Flood Control Association and was 
appointed by Governor Wilson to the CalFed Bay Delta Oversight 
Committee and the CalFed Bay Delta Advisory Committee. Alex also served 
as president of the McMullin Reclamation District.
  Alex was a valued and respected leader whose understanding of the 
Delta and California's water challenges was unsurpassed. Alex was 
always generous with his time and eager to teach new generations of 
leaders about the Delta and its precious waterways. Alex's work as an 
unwavering voice in defense of the Delta and its farmers leaves a 
legacy that will continue to benefit the people of San Joaquin County 
and the Delta. It is for these reasons that I ask my colleagues to join 
me in honoring the memory of Alexander Hildebrand and sending our 
thoughts and prayers to his beloved family and friends.

                          ____________________