[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 134 (Tuesday, August 14, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1152]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        REMEMBERING GENE GREENE

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                           HON. TONY CARDENAS

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, August 14, 2018

  Mr. CARDENAS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of one of 
my constituents, Gene Greene.
  Gene will be remembered as an icon of our community. As a Landscape 
Architect and Director of the Japanese Garden in Van Nuys, California, 
Mr. Greene oversaw the beautiful garden since its dedication in 1984, 
where he personally set the final 28 stones. Thanks to his work, The 
Garden has been published in several books, websites, and television 
programs. The Los Angeles Times once characterized the Japanese Garden 
as ``Gene's Garden'' because of his strong connection to the land.
  A humble and generous man, Gene was known for giving credit and not 
taking it. He always commended the volunteers and docents for their 
roles in making the Japanese Garden such an iconic landmark of Los 
Angeles. Everything he did was a true testament of his love for his 
work, his family, and the community he served.
  Gene dedicated his life to public service. He started his career as 
an intern for the Los Angeles City government before proudly serving in 
the U.S. Army, where he earned a National Defense Service Medal. Gene 
was an Eagle Scout, and he credits the training he received there with 
helping him become an expert rifleman in the military.
  Gene attended the California State Polytechnic University at Pomona 
where he majored in Landscape Architecture. His gift for design and 
architecture led him to the Bureau of Engineering in the City of Los 
Angeles. There, he was assigned to work with Dr. Koichi Kawana, lead 
project architect of the Japanese Garden.
  Gene is a fixture of the community and his legacy will never be 
forgotten. With his dedication to his work and family, Gene will 
continue inspiring generations of Angelenos. My prayers go to his wife 
Lynn, his four daughters, and his five grandchildren.

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