[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 95 (Wednesday, June 18, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1012]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      HONORING MAYOR PEGGY THOMSEN

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. BARBARA LEE

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 18, 2014

  Ms. LEE of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the 
extraordinary life of Mayor Peggy Thomsen. Known throughout the San 
Francisco Bay Area as the Mayor of Albany, California, a consummate 
public servant, and as a dedicated wife and mother, Mayor Thomsen has 
left an indelible mark on our community. With her passing on June 8, 
2014, we look to the outstanding quality of her life's work and the 
inspiring role she played in our community.
  Born on February 28, 1940 in St. Louis, Missouri, Mayor Peggy Thomsen 
and her family moved frequently around the United States, including to 
Denver, Colorado and Beaverton, Oregon, before settling in Fresno, 
California. Mayor Thomsen was passionate about education. After earning 
her Bachelor of Arts and Masters of Arts degrees at California State 
University, Fresno, she went on to earn a Ph.D. in Educational 
Administration from the University of California, Berkeley.
  Meeting her husband, John, at California State University, Fresno, 
they moved to Albany where Mayor Thomsen began her career teaching in 
Albany and Richmond schools. She also was an instructor, curriculum 
planner and seminar presenter at Heald College in San Francisco.
  Mayor Peggy Thomsen was deeply committed to helping others. Prior to 
being elected as Mayor of Albany, her civic service and leadership 
manifested in various ways. She served on the Albany Unified School 
District School Board for 16 years and spent 14 years on the City 
Council. Additionally, she was President of the Parent Teacher 
Association Council, Albany Girl Scout Leader and a School Resource 
Volunteer Coordinator.
  Dedicated to leadership in her community, Mayor Peggy Thomsen served 
on the Social and Economic Justice Committee, Albany Waterfront 
Committee and the Albany Charter Review Committee. Mayor Thomsen also 
served on numerous regional committees, including the California 
Elected Women's Association for Education and Research and the 
California School Board Association Delegate Assembly.
  In addition to Ms. Thomsen's prolific career, she received numerous 
awards for her work in the community. She was the recipient of Service 
Awards from the Albany Unified School District, March of Dimes, 
California State Parent Teacher Association and Albany Jaycees. 
Furthermore, her commitment to her students was demonstrated in the 
Teacher Enrichment and the Teacher of the Year Awards she received from 
Heald College.
  Today California's 13th Congressional District salutes and honors an 
outstanding individual and community leader, Mayor Peggy Thomsen. As a 
47 year resident of Albany, her dedication and efforts impacted so many 
lives throughout the Bay Area. Her legacy will live on in the hearts 
and minds of all of those whom she inspired. I join all of Peggy's 
loved ones in celebrating her incredible life. She will be deeply 
missed.

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