[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 99 (Thursday, June 28, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1168]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                 TRIBUTE TO THE LIFE OF DR. WENDY WAYNE

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. JIM COSTA

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 28, 2012

  Mr. COSTA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute ute to the life 
of Dr. Wendy Wayne who passed away on June 17, 2012 at the age of 64 
after fighting a courageous four year battle with non-Hodgkin's 
Lymphoma. Wendy was a loving wife and mother, a committed activist and 
respected community leader who touched the lives of many.
  A proud product of Culver City, California, Wendy was born on 
February 4, 1948. She attended Hamilton High School in Los Angeles and 
graduated from the University of Los Angeles (UCLA) before joining the 
Peace Corps and serving in Kenya. She married the love of her life, 
Gene Tackett, after traveling around the world and then working on 
Gene's first political campaign for Kern County Supervisor. Wendy 
quickly became an icon and a source of inspiration within the local 
community. Wendy and Gene started their family in Bakersfield in 1978 
and have worked continuously to improve the quality of life of all 
families in Kern County, the place they called home.
  Through her leadership and hard work, Wendy became a role model for 
her friends and neighbors. Dr. Wendy Wayne exemplified the true meaning 
of being an advocate. After working at Clinica Sierra Vista and 
obtaining a nursing degree at California State University (CSUB), she 
worked as a nurse at Kern Medical Center (KMC). She continued her 
volunteer activities promoting child safety seats and expanded 
childcare opportunities for working mothers. Both of her sons were born 
in the KMC Birthing Center organized by Wendy. In 1986, Wendy started 
her career with the Kern County Superintendent of School's office as an 
advocate for expanded preschool education. Working with community 
leaders she helped create the Community Connection for Childcare and 
became its first director. She later became the executive director of 
Kern County's First Five organization, an agency promoting child 
education during their first five years of age. For more than 36 years, 
she was a committed and reliable member of the community.
  Over the years, Wendy continued to fulfill her wanderlust for travel 
and doing good works with a three month health project in Kenya, 
Bakersfield Sister City trips, Rotary polio ratification trips to India 
and Nigeria, working with her niece Ann Reiner in the Sudan and Uganda. 
Her family vacations included a revisit to her Kenyan village where she 
had once taught biology. Remarkably, Wendy endured countless hours of 
travel to receive advanced cancer treatment in Southern California 
while simultaneously serving as a consultant to San Joaquin Hospital to 
develop a much needed state of the art cancer center in Bakersfield. 
Her work demonstrated her dedication to fostering and preserving the 
health and safety of children throughout the world, and her compassion 
and concern for our community served as a testament to her 
extraordinary character.
  Wendy lived an exemplary life and will undoubtedly be missed by many. 
The true loves of her life were husband, Gene; sons, Larkin and Benji; 
daughters-in-law Katie and Amy; and grandchildren Maya, Lola and Ben.
  A principled and engaged citizen, Wendy Wayne participated in every 
aspect of community life. She led a generous and energetic life filled 
with love and adventure. Her long-lasting participation in our 
community and commitment to the well-being of future generations will 
ensure that her legacy lives on for years to come. Mr. Speaker, I ask 
my colleagues to join me in honoring the life of Dr. Wendy Wayne, a 
beloved wife, mother, leader and true champion for all people.

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