[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 10 (Wednesday, January 17, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E54]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     HONORING DONALD L. CHRISTIANS

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JOHN GARAMENDI

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, January 17, 2018

  Mr. GARAMENDI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the incredible 
life of Donald L. Christians. Donald L. Christians recently marked his 
90th birthday. His is an American story of the last century in which an 
adventuresome, generous soul migrates from a small farming community to 
cities and broader global experience. Don looked back on Grafton, Iowa 
where he grew up (recent census of 252) and wrote Homer's Whip, that 
depicted a tiny prairie town with timeless small-town values. At the 
same time, he embraced the diverse world.
  During his second year at Luther College he enlisted in the U.S. Army 
to fight in World War II, and served 1\1/2\ years in the occupational 
forces in Japan in 1946 when he was just 18. Like so many farm boys, 
his world was transformed. Upon discharge, Don finished college with a 
degree in political science from the University of Northern Iowa in 
1950 and later earned a Master's Degree from Northern Colorado 
University.
  Don headed to California in 1955, settling in North Beach, living the 
life of jazz, card playing, bocce ball, horse racing, and writing, 
while beginning his 29-year career teaching in the San Francisco 
Unified School District. There he met and married the artist/fellow 
teacher, Joan Clay, in 1960 and they spent their honeymoon driving a VW 
Camper Van to Tierra Del Fuego in Chile. Both often taught the most 
challenging students to whom they devoted their creativity, respect, 
and good humor.
  In 1967, Don was appointed Associate Director of the Peace Corps 
Program in Ethiopia where Don and Joan lived until 1969 where Don was 
assigned to support the work of volunteers in a remote region of the 
country. He was extremely effective in all aspects of this assignment. 
He mentored volunteers in the classroom and in school protocol and 
interaction, e.g., with headmasters who required extensive memorization 
even though the students did not have pencils or paper. He also modeled 
the expected interaction with the broader community. His expertise, 
life experience, and winning manner made him the ideal person to relate 
to volunteers, faculty, administrators, townspeople, as well as the 
Peace Corps bureaucracy. He supported volunteers who undertook 
ambitious, often impactful projects that departed from the mainstream 
and served as the trusted confidant of Peace Corps Ethiopia leadership, 
shaping policy for the Program as a whole.
  In 1969, Don was appointed Country Director Peace Corps Dominican 
Republic. Visitors recall Don selling co-op crafts to tourists on 
cruises on Christmas Day. Don and Joan remained in the Dominican 
Republic until they were recalled by President Nixon and Don worked on 
the Muskie campaign until Don and Joan returned to San Francisco in 
1973. Don taught high school Civics for 29 years, retiring from Galileo 
High School in San Francisco in 1986 where he was beloved as an 
inspiring teacher by a wide range of students.
  Over the years Don made an enormous number of friends from his many 
interests and vocations, reflecting his enthusiasm and variety of 
interests. He and Joan owned shares in 22 race horses and had 
particular success with ``Mac Rhapsody'' and ``Pleasure Grounds''. Don 
worked at Golden Gate Fields as a mutuel clerk. He wrote numerous 
articles for horse magazines and hosted a radio program for 5 years on 
KWMR in West Marin interviewing authors. After Joan's passing, he met 
Neva Beach, a book editor, and they were together until her passing in 
2010. Don has been living with their dog Cody in San Francisco's 
colorful Mission District since he met Neva and they were often seen 
feeding homeless men and women in a local park as well as taking 
neighborhood children to zoos and museums.
  Don loves bridge and bocce ball and excels at both. He was a member 
of the Marin Bocce Ball team that won the Northern California Seniors 
championship, and he played in bridge tournaments around the U.S. as a 
Silver Life Master. He places bets on horseraces and plays bridge 
online every day when he is able.
  On behalf of the people of California's Third District, I commend 
Donald L. Christians on his distinguished life and wish him the best in 
the coming years.

                          ____________________