[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 56 (Wednesday, April 13, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E443-E444]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     IN MEMORY OF MR. DON WARKENTIN

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. DAVID G. VALADAO

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, April 13, 2016

  Mr. VALADAO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and 
accomplishments of Don Warkentin, former President of West Hills 
College Lemoore, who sadly passed away on February 1, 2016.
  Mr. Warkentin was born in Reedley, California on November 15, 1946 to 
Vern and Doris Warkentin. After his graduation from Reedley High 
School, he went on to study at Reedley College and later California 
State University, Chico. At the outbreak of the Vietnam War, Mr. 
Warkentin enlisted as a Lieutenant in the United States Army and 
eventually rose to the rank of Captain, receiving two Purple Hearts in 
the process. After his service to our country, he married the love of 
his life Betty. Together, they had two children, Brooke and Steven.
  Mr. Warkentin's long career in education began in 1973 when he 
accepted a position as a biology teacher for Lemoore High School. Mr. 
Warkentin also served as a football and baseball coach, athletic 
director, and principal of the continuation school for adults wishing 
to complete their education. In 1986, he began work as an Associate 
Dean at West Hills College Kings County Center, known today as West 
Hills College Lemoore, and his commitment to the institution continued 
until his retirement, just months prior to his passing.

[[Page E444]]

  Under his stewardship, West Hills College Lemoore moved to its own 
campus in 2002 and saw student enrollment grow from 700 to more than 
4,500 students. Additionally, Mr. Warkentin was responsible for several 
expansion projects including the new student center and the Golden 
Eagle Arena.
  In 2004, Mr. Warkentin's career culminated with his promotion to 
President of West Hills College Lemoore, a position which he held until 
December 2015. Mr. Warkentin's dedication to the field of education was 
without question and West Hills College Lemoore stands today as a 
memorial to his strength of character and work ethic.
  Mr. Warkentin's commitment to our community was not exclusive to West 
Hills College Lemoore, but included his active membership in the 
Lemoore Chamber of Commerce, Kiwanis Club, and the Kings County 
Economic Development Corporation. With his passing our community has 
lost a great leader and his dedication to the Central Valley deserves 
our recognition and gratitude.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues in the United States House of 
Representatives to join me in honoring the life and achievements of 
President Emeritus Don Warkentin. My thoughts and prayers are with his 
wife Betty and their two children, Brooke and Steven during this 
difficult time.

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