[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 152 (Friday, December 12, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1805-E1806]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   HONORING THE LIFE OF JOHN H. KREBS

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. JIM COSTA

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, December 11, 2014

  Mr. COSTA. Mr. Speaker, I rise with my colleagues, Congressman Xavier 
Becerra, Congressman Ami Bera, Congresswoman Julia Brownley, 
Congresswoman Lois Capps, Congressman Tony Cardenas, Congresswoman Judy 
Chu, Congresswoman Anna Eshoo, Congressman Sam Farr, Congresswoman 
Janice Hahn, Congressman Jared Huffman, Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren, 
Congressman Alan Lowenthal, Congresswoman Doris Matsui, Congresswoman 
Gloria Negrete McLeod, Congressman Jerry McNerney, Congressman George 
Miller, Congressman Rick Nolan, Congresswoman Grace Napolitano, 
Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi, Congressman Scott Peters, Congresswoman 
Lucille Roybal-Allard, Congressman Raul Ruiz, Congresswoman Loretta 
Sanchez, Congressman Adam Schiff, Congressman Brad Sherman, 
Congresswoman Jackie Speier, Congressman Eric Swalwell, Congressman 
Mike Thompson and Congressman Henry Waxman to pay tribute to the life 
of former Congressman, John H. Krebs.
  John Krebs was an honorable man, and a community leader whose 
unwavering service will be greatly missed. In addition to his two terms 
in the United States Congress from 1975-1979, Mr. Krebs was a civic and 
Democratic Party leader in Fresno, California. Additionally, he worked 
as an attorney for over 30 years, he was an apprentice diamond cutter 
during his youth in Tel Aviv, and he served in the U.S. Army.

[[Page E1806]]

  While in Congress, he was best known for his authorship and enactment 
of legislation incorporating the Mineral King Valley into Sequoia 
National Park, thwarting Disney developers who wanted to turn the 
wilderness area into a major ski resort. In 2009, President Obama 
recognized John for his efforts, and signed legislation establishing 
the John Krebs Wilderness Area which covers 40,000 acres within the 
Mineral King Valley.
  John Krebs was born on December 17, 1926, in Berlin. His parents fled 
Germany a few months after Hitler came to power, and he was raised in 
Tel Aviv. During his adolescence, John embarked on a career as a 
diamond cutter and joined the Haganah, a Jewish underground 
organization opposing the British rule, while also preparing to attend 
college.
  In 1946, John moved to the United States to attend the University of 
California, Berkeley. He graduated in 1950 and became a U.S. citizen in 
1952. Following his two years in the Army, he attended the University 
of California Hastings College of Law and passed the California Bar in 
1957. For the next three decades, he practiced law with the Parichan 
law firm, specializing in civil defense litigation.
  John wanted to make a positive difference in the community, and he 
quickly became an activist and leader for Fresno's Democratic Party, 
playing a key role in local and statewide campaigns. In March 1970, he 
was elected to the Fresno County Board of Supervisors, a position he 
held until his election to Congress in 1974. He was the first foreign-
born congressman from California. John fulfilled the American Dream, 
and he serves as an inspiration for all of us.
  John returned to Fresno after his tenure in Congress, and practiced 
law until his retirement. He served on numerous boards and commissions, 
and was foreman of the Fresno County Grand Jury for two years. John and 
his wife, Hanna enjoyed traveling, and loved spending time with their 
children and grandchildren.
  John's strong values, work ethic, and compassion for others were 
evident to all of those who were fortunate to know him. His loving 
guidance as a husband, father, grandfather, and friend will be forever 
cherished.
  John will be greatly missed by Hanna, his son, Daniel Krebs, his 
daughter, Karen, daughter-in-law, Susan, son-in-law, John, and 
grandchildren, Elizabeth, Caroline, Jack, Clay, and Peter as well as 
his 90 year old brother, Shlomo.
  Mr. Speaker, it is with great respect that we ask the entire House of 
Representatives to join us in paying tribute to the life of John H. 
Krebs. We all have an extraordinary role model to look up to, and his 
presence will be greatly missed, but his legacy will surely live on.

                          ____________________