[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 188 (Friday, November 22, 2019)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1499-E1500]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             REMEMBERING THE HONORABLE HENRY ``HANK'' WEDAA

                                 ______
                                 

                     HON. GILBERT RAY CISNEROS, JR.

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, November 22, 2019

  Mr. CISNEROS. Madam Speaker, it is with immense sadness and a heavy 
heart that I rise to mark the passing of the Honorable Henry ``Hank'' 
Wedaa, former mayor and longtime council member of Yorba Linda. On the 
morning of November 13, 2019, Henry passed away in his Anaheim home at 
the age of 95. As a member of the Greatest Generation and a Yorba Linda 
``founding father'' who dedicated his life to public service, Henry was 
a shining example of courage, determination, and selflessness. He will 
be missed dearly by family, friends, and the community he devoted his 
life to.

[[Page E1500]]

  Though an established Yorba Linda resident for over 50 years, Henry's 
roots began in Atlantic City, New Jersey. He was born on February 15, 
1924 as the eldest child of five to Henrik and Anna Wedaa. As a young 
child, Henry discovered a love for aviation and spent time watching 
planes make emergency landings on a golf course near his home. Though 
uncertain of the future, he was resolute in his belief that he would 
one day take to the skies. Henry's prediction proved to be correct with 
the news of Pearl Harbor and the subsequent declaration of war. Like 
many of his time, Henry became part of the nationwide movement of young 
individuals who lent their youth and passion to protect the freedom of 
their beloved country. On January 5, 1943, at the age of 18, Henry 
joined the infantry but was soon transferred to what he knew to be his 
true calling--the United States Air Force. Assigned to the 467th 
Bombardment Group as a bombardier and aerial gunner, Henry and his 
fellow men left for Rackheath, United Kingdom on his 20th birthday. 
Beginning April 10, 1944, the 467th Bombardment Group would complete 
its required 30 missions in just 78 days. Henry solemnly watched events 
of the European Theater unfold as he sat on the nose of a B-24 
Liberator 20,000 feet up in the air. Returning to the United States 
after his last mission, Henry was promoted to 1st Lieutenant and was 
awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and Air Medal with three oak 
leaf clusters.
  After his service in WWII, Henry graduated from Gettysburg College in 
Gettysburg, Pennsylvania in 1949, majoring in physics and chemistry. He 
then attended graduate school at the University of Arizona and was 
employed at the U.S. Naval Weapons Center in China Lake, California for 
eight years. It was during this time that Henry was met with the 
fortuitous opportunity to settle down in Yorba Linda, California. In 
1970, three years after the incorporation of Yorba Linda, he began his 
second act of public service as a city councilmember. Henry would serve 
Yorba Linda for 29 years. During this extensive tenure, in which he 
served as mayor five times, Henry championed for a particular quality 
of life in Yorba Linda. The Yorba Linda in existence today that favors 
a semi-rural, low-density community owes its idyllic charm and 
methodical process of change to Henry's original vision. During his 
time on the city council, many iconic city projects were approved: the 
Richard Nixon Presidential Library, the SAVI Ranch Retail Center, the 
Yorba Linda Community Center, and over a dozen city parks. Henry 
represented the city council on numerous committees including the 
Southern California Association of Governments' Aviation Work Program 
Committee. Henry also acted as chairman of the governing board of South 
Coast Air Quality Management District and president of the Southern 
California Association of Governments.
  Though public service was always at the forefront of his life, Henry 
also led a distinguished professional career that aligned with his 
passion for pure, unadulterated quality of life. Working in parallel as 
he helped shape Yorba Linda, Henry dedicated himself to specializing in 
transportation and environmental studies. As a founder of the 
California Hydrogen Business Council, Henry made a name for himself as 
a renowned advocate for clean air, alternative energy, and reducing 
emissions. He urged for the development of hydrogen fuel cells in the 
39th District and was awarded the Haagen-Smit Clean Air Award from 
California Air Resources Board for his commitment to accelerating the 
future of hydrogen vehicles and green sources of energy.
  Henry is survived by his sons Eric and Jim, and daughters Karena and 
Tina. He also leaves behind an insurmountable legacy reinforced by the 
people whose lives were touched by his leadership and care. Madam 
Speaker, at this time, I ask that you and my distinguished colleagues 
join me in remembering Henry ``Hank'' Wedaa: an American patriot, a 
devout environmentalist, and a visionary father to the city of Yorba 
Linda

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