[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 17]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 23496]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




         RECOGNIZING DEAN STEVE OLSON OF SANTA ROSA, CALIFORNIA

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. MIKE THOMPSON

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, September 29, 2008

  Mr. THOMPSON of California. Madam Speaker, I rise today along with my 
colleague, Congresswoman Lynn Woolsey, to recognize Steve Olson, who 
has recently retired as Dean of Occupational Education and Economic 
Development at Santa Rosa Junior College (SRJC).
  Dean Olson began his career as a Plant Science Instructor at SRJC in 
1970 and was named Department Chair in 1974. Thirteen years later, he 
was selected as Dean of Instruction, Educational Programs and Services. 
In this role he administered a variety of programs for the college 
including the Agriculture Department, the college's Shone Farm, 
international education, as well as Community Outreach and Development.
  During his tenure at SRJC, he helped establish the Agriculture and 
Natural Resources Department and the college farm. He also expanded 
course offerings to more than 50 sites throughout Sonoma County, 
created a study abroad program for SRJC students, and developed an 
educational telecommunications program at the college.
  Throughout his career, Dean Olson has been an active participant in 
many professional associations, serving as Vice President of the 
California Agricultural Teachers Association (CATA), President of the 
North Coast CATA, founding Chairman of the State Advisory Committee on 
Vocational Agricultural Education, a member of the California Joint 
Policy Council on Higher Education in Agriculture, President of the 
California Agricultural Leadership Associates, and co-chair of the 
Northern California Advocates for Global Education. His involvement in 
his community has also extended to numerous non-profit organizations 
including the Sonoma County Farm Bureau, the Sonoma County 4-H 
Foundation, Chair of the Rotary Club of Santa Rosa Foundation, and 
Director of the Sonoma County Harvest Fair among others.
  Over the years, Dean Olson has been recognized for his many 
accomplishments with such honors as the Friend of 4-H Award, the 
Rotarian of the Year Award for Northern California, the Friend of 
Sonoma County Agriculture Award, and the Harold D. Bostock Lifetime of 
Service Rotary Award.
  Madam Speaker, Dean Olson has had a long and distinguished career 
where he has been a model for his community and his profession. He 
plans to spend his retirement years with his wife, Elaine, and their 
six grandchildren pursuing their many hobbies. It is appropriate at 
this time that we honor Dean Olson for his many accomplishments and 
wish him well in his retirement.

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