[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 41 (Tuesday, March 15, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E317-E318]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          IN CELEBRATION OF MABELLE M. SELLAND'S 90TH BIRTHDAY

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. JIM COSTA

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, March 15, 2016

  Mr. COSTA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the 90th birthday 
of Ms. Mabelle M. Selland, a wonderful friend and loving community 
member.
  Mabelle Maasen Selland was born on March 7, 1926, in Chicago, 
Illinois, and lived there until the first grade when her family moved 
to Omaha, Nebraska. Mabelle graduated from Bensen High School in 1944, 
and later moved to California with her mother where she settled in 
Pasadena. Mabelle then moved to the Bay Area at the age of 19 to become 
a keypunch operator. Mabelle later came to Fresno at the invitation of 
friends to work as an operator for Pacific Gas and Electric and saved 
enough money to enroll at Fresno State College. It was at Fresno State 
where Mabelle met Harold ``Bud'' Selland. Mabelle and Bud fell in love 
and were married in 1951. They raised three children, Julie, Eric, and 
Bethany and were married for 55 years until Bud's passing in 2006.
  Mabelle was an accomplished young lady who always displayed a strong 
passion for preserving, and improving her community, and that passion 
has continued throughout her life. She has dedicated her entire life to 
involving herself in various community activities. She worked as a 
Social Worker for Fresno County from 1950-1955, served as the People to 
People president, and as chairwoman for the Fresno Moulmein, Burma 
Sister City, where she received two awards for outstanding service from 
the National Sister City Conference in Washington D.C.
  In 1972, Mabelle received her Master's Degree in Asian History from 
Fresno State, and continued her work in the community. From 1973 to 
1979, Mabelle served as the Executive Director for the Fresno City and 
County Historical Society. She worked diligently to successfully enter 
Kearney Mansion on the National Register of Historic Places. She 
received a state Historic Preservation Grant to restore Kearney 
Mansion, and created seven ethnic history exhibits, restored costume 
collection and exhibited over 200 pieces.
  In 1973, Mabelle became an instrumental force behind starting a 
movement to save the Old Administration building on the campus of 
Fresno City College. Mabelle and her friend, Ephraim Smith, saved the 
building from the planned demolition. After 38 years from her initial 
suggestion that the community should save the landmark, the building 
was finally restored and re-opened in 2011.
  In the 1980's, Mabelle served as the Cultural Arts Manager for the 
City of Fresno Cultural Arts office, where she eventually retired from 
in 1994. After her retirement from the City of Fresno, Mabelle traveled 
the world with her family and friends and continued to serve on the 
County Historic Records and Landmarks Commission. She wrote about 
Southeast Asian history and coordinated performances and village 
festivals at the Southeast Asian Business Conference.
  Furthermore, Mabelle founded the Heritage Fresno, a historic 
preservation organization in 2003, and served on the County Tourism 
Committee in 2004.
  It goes without saying that Mabelle continues to be a force to be 
reckoned with, even at the young age of 90. Throughout the many roads 
she has traveled, we thank Mabelle for the many lives that she has 
touched along the way. It is for these reasons that we join Mabelle 
Selland's family and friends in wishing her a blessed 90th birthday.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in celebrating a woman 
who has dedicated her life to public service. Mabelle's many 
accomplishments within the community are a direct reflection of her 
strong dedication and perseverance. We wish her continued health and 
happiness in the years to come.

[[Page E318]]

  

                          ____________________