[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 149 (2003), Part 16]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 21589]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                       TRIBUTE TO MARK MARTENSEN

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. DUNCAN HUNTER

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, September 9, 2003

  Mr. HUNTER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize a gifted and 
talented local artist from the San Diego area, my friend, Mark 
Martensen. Mark was asked by his hometown of Chula Vista to create a 
sculpture that will be displayed outside the city's new fire station in 
Otay Ranch. Mark's piece, as yet unnamed, will be unveiled on September 
11, 2003, serving as a lasting memorial to the brave firefighters who 
risk their lives to protect ours.
  Born and raised in Chula Vista, Mark has been making a living selling 
his western art for 20 years. Described as his generation's Olaf 
Wieghorst, San Diego's most recognized western artist, Mark is 
represented in art galleries all over California, Arizona, New Mexico 
and Indiana.
  A few years ago, Mark presented the Commandant of the U.S. Marine 
Corps, General Charles Krulak, with a bronze sculpture he created of 
Lt. Gen. Chesty Puller, a hero and legend to all Marines. General 
Krulak was deeply impressed with Mark's work and clearly moved. Just as 
impressed was President Bush when, earlier this year, Mark and I went 
to the White House to give the President a bronze he created titled 
``Texas Skip.''
  As plans for the new fire station were finalized, it was determined 
that the facility must include some type of public art. Mark was a 
natural choice, and he has not disappointed. His first life-size 
sculpture, weighing 700 pounds and depicting a veteran firefighter with 
his hand on the shoulder of a kneeling rookie, required 15-hour work 
days for three months. The piece will stand on a pedestal in front of 
the firehouse with water falling from the fireman's hose.
  In 1985, President Reagan told recipients of the National Medal of 
Arts that, ``Where there's liberty, art succeeds.'' This couldn't be 
more true. Generations of San Diegans will have the opportunity to 
admire Mark's work and reflect both upon the sacrifices and the 
privilege of living in our great nation. Thank you Mark for using your 
talents to remind us about what is important.

                          ____________________