[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 139 (Monday, September 9, 2024)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E870]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              HONORING THE LEGACY OF KAREN ELAINE THOMPSON

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. JIM COSTA

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, September 9, 2024

  Mr. COSTA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the extraordinary 
spirit and life of Karen Elaine Thompson; a beloved daughter. sister, 
wife. and mother.
  On May 11, 1960, Karen was born to Allan and Elaine Johnson in 
Moscow, Idaho. Just two weeks after her birth, Karen, her mother, and 
her brother reunited with Allan in Watsonville, California where he had 
recently taken his first position with Bank of America. Karen began her 
schooling in Modesto, but as Allan rose through the ranks at the bank, 
she continued her education wherever work took him including Novato, 
Shafter, Lindsay, and finally Madera where she graduated high school in 
1978.
  Karen then chose to further her education at Fresno City College and 
Heald Four C's Business College with a special focus on secretarial 
courses. Utilizing her education, she landed her first secretary 
position at Fresno Federal Land Bank where she met her first love, Mark 
Thompson. Later, Karen shifted her focus to marketing as the 
administrative assistant for the CEO of Fresno-Madera Farm Credit 
before taking her expertise to Citizens Business Bank in Madera. The 
zenith of Karen's career would come in the years she spent working as 
an executive assistant at Fresno Heart Hospital, EyeQ, and Community 
Cancer Institute, places where her importance cannot be understated. 
One of her greatest achievements was her work alongside executives in 
building the Cancer Institute in Clovis.
  During these years, Karen also raised her two sons, Kyle and Alex, in 
Madera. Then, when the opportunity presented itself. Karen and Mark 
took a chance and purchased a home and acreage in Madera Ranchos and 
eventually married in 2014.
  Wherever she lived, Karen always sought to improve her community. She 
engaged in a variety of volunteer activities for the Big Fresno Fair 
Livestock Auction, The Kids Breakfast, and the Toolbox Program. 
Additionally, Karen was always willing to lend a helping hand in events 
related to agriculture such as those put on by the Cattlemen's 
Association. Fresno County Farm Bureau, and Reedley College Ag Backers. 
Equally important, Karen served in a variety of different capacities 
through her memberships in PEO and Chapter VO where she provided 
excellent leadership and communication skills. She also was a member of 
the Clovis Rodeo Association where she served as secretary of the board 
since 2022.
  Her love for life was reflected in her many hobbies, Karen loved 
photography, camping, sporting clays, gardening, fishing, camping, hand 
crafts, traveling, and of course, her grandson Liam.
  In Karen's passing, we celebrate a life that left an indelible mark 
on all who were fortunate enough to know her. Her legacy lives on in 
her family; husband Mark and sons Kyle and Alex. May we draw 
inspiration from Karen's enduring spirit and the richness of a life 
well-lived.
  Mr. Speaker, I invite my esteemed colleagues to join me in paying 
tribute to the memory of Karen Elaine Thompson.

                          ____________________