[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 152 (2006), Part 1]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 437]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                   TRIBUTE TO IRVIN ``MIKE'' FAULKNER

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. GEORGE RADANOVICH

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, January 31, 2006

  Mr. RADANOVICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor Irvin ``Mike'' Faulkner 
posthumously for his tremendous service to his country and community. 
Mr. Faulkner passed away on December 12, 2005, and is survived by his 
wife Eleanor, children, grandchildren, great grandchildren and great-
great grandchildren.
  Mike was born in 1919 in Blackwell, Oklahoma. Growing up during the 
Great Depression, he faced many hardships, but with great determination 
and a strong work ethic he strived to achieve a better life.
  At the onset of World War II, Mike Faulkner answered his country's 
call. Serving in the Third Army, Mike was involved in many major 
battles throughout Europe. He stormed the beach at Normandy, survived 
the Battle of the Bulge and participated in the liberation of Dachau. 
It was at Dachau that Mike saw the cruelty of the Nazi regime. Mike 
later shared his story in a documentary on the concentration camps to 
remind generations to come of some of our world's darkest history.
  Upon returning home, he moved to California where he attended Fresno 
College, known today as California State University--Fresno. He 
obtained a degree in Biology and a teaching credential. In 1955, he 
became a teacher with the Madera Unified School District. Many will 
remember Mr. Faulkner as their favorite biology teacher at Thomas 
Jefferson Middle School.
  In 1960, the science teacher married his beloved Eleanor and together 
they raised 3 daughters, Glenda, Shirley and Joyce Ann as well as 2 
foster children, John and Carolyn Sue Vogel.
  One of the crowning achievements of Mr. Faulkner's career in 
education was as Principal at John Adams Elementary School in Madera, 
California. As Principal, he was known as a strict taskmaster who was 
quick to punish you when you did wrong but equally quick to recognize 
and reward a job well done.
  Retirement couldn't keep Mike Faulkner out of the classroom. He 
continued to lend his years of experience to troubled youth at the 
Juvenile Hall and the Sugar Pine Continuation School. He served as a 
substitute teacher at Madera High School and when he wasn't substitute 
teaching, he spent time baking, sharing stories with friends, and 
caring for his beloved family.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor Irvin ``Mike'' Faulkner posthumously for 
his tremendous service to his country and community. I invite my 
colleagues to join me in celebrating the life of Irvin ``Mike'' 
Faulkner and to express the condolences of a grateful Nation to the 
Faulkner family.

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