[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 47 (Monday, March 19, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E334]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  RECOGNIZING TWO EXEMPLARY OREGONIANS

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. GREG WALDEN

                               of oregon

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, March 19, 2018

  Mr. WALDEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of my friends, 
and two exemplary Oregonians who have dedicated their lives to service 
of their community and country. Retired Lieutenant Colonel Les 
Cochenour and his wife, Jody, are stalwart citizens of The Dalles, 
Oregon--my birthplace--who will be relocating from their treasured home 
in the Columbia Gorge to start a new chapter in their lives in Bend.
  Before Les and Jody's new chapter begins, though, I would be remiss 
if I did not provide a brief account of their impactful chapters 
written in Wasco County.
  Like me, both Les and Jody were raised in The Dalles. They are both 
proud alumni of The Dalles High School--high school sweethearts who 
graduated one year apart from each other and married just a few short 
months after Jody graduated. The foundation of their 56-year-long 
marriage began in high school, and so did the start of an inseparable 
duo of public servants.
  Les entered the local National Guard Unit as a private straight out 
of high school. With a work ethic acquired at a young age on his farm 
in Dallesport, Les soon went on to officer candidate school and became 
a second lieutenant.
  After more than two decades in the National Guard, Les joined the 
Army reserve, where he was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel and retired 
after another decade of service. Les' military record spans 31 years 
with the Army reserves, and 42 years as a military officer.
  Just as his military service was winding down, Les' community service 
in The Dalles was just beginning. Les served as Mayor of The Dalles for 
two terms from 1990-1994. His leadership qualities and dedication to 
his constituents, including the planning of the Fort Dalles Readiness 
Center, earned him the position of President of the Oregon Mayor's 
Association in 1994.
  A veteran himself, Les made it a top priority in his life to serve 
his fellow service men and women. He served on the board of the Oregon 
Veterans' Home for five years, dedicating his time to providing 
veterans and their families with a place to seek care, rehabilitation, 
and a roof over their heads.
  Les is a founding member of the Mid-Columbia Veteran's Memorial 
Committee, providing another venue for service to his fellow veterans. 
All the while, Les has had a partner in this admirable endeavor of 
service to those who have served our country: his wife, Jody.
  Jody, also a public servant who worked for the state in the Building 
Codes Division, is a board member of Mid-Columbia Veterans and a 
lifetime member of The Dalles Veterans of Foreign War Auxillary. A 
trailblazer of her own right, Jody launched the Red Crested Purple 
Breasted Cronies, a chapter of the National Red Hat Society that 
donates to a charity of their choosing each month.
  Les and Jody have not been without recognition for their unique 
history of devoted service to others. Les has been honored with the 
bronze medallion of the Order of St. George from the U.S. Calvary and 
Armor Association, a prestigious honor that recognizes the long and 
honorable service to cavalry and armor, and recognizes the very best 
cavalryman.
  Jody was awarded the Order of St. Joan D'Arc, an equally prestigious 
recognition for a spouse with ``significant voluntary contributions to 
the morale, spirit and welfare of the armor and cavalry communities.''
  Suffice to say, today will be just one of many accounts of Les and 
Jody Cochenour's service to their fellow citizens in The Dalles, and 
people across America. While their address may change, I know that 
their commitment to our state and country will not.
  Their home will always be in The Dalles, and their legacy of service 
to others will certainly be passed along to their five grandchildren, 
and three great-grandchildren, and I imagine it will only be a matter 
of time before their impact will be profoundly felt by the community in 
Bend.
  Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the whole House of Representatives and the 
people of The Dalles, please join me in expressing our sincerest thanks 
and gratitude to Les and Jody Cochenour for their lifelong dedication 
to community and country.

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