[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 18]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 24420]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




  IN RECOGNITION OF JEFFERSON UNION HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT TRUSTEE JEAN 
                                 BRINK

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. JACKIE SPEIER

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, November 20, 2008

  Ms. SPEIER. Madam Speaker, an era is coming to an end in the 
Jefferson Union High School District. Jean Brink, first elected in 
1988, is retiring as a Trustee after 20 years of productive and 
selfless service.
  Like so many in public service, Jean first got involved as an active 
and concerned parent. Her two children, Adam and Laura, attended the 
District's Oceana High School, where Jean quickly became as well-known 
as her son and daughter.
  In five straight elections, the voters of the Jefferson Union High 
School District returned Jean to office, relying on her level head, 
passionate commitment to education and keen understanding of the School 
District's greater role in the community.
  Madam Speaker, Jean is the kind of public servant that we could all 
take a lesson from. While overseeing the modernization of district 
schools and facilities and working for the passage of two bond 
measures, Jean remained vigilant against waste and abuse and always 
kept a watchful eye on the taxpayers' hard-earned money.
  Jean Brink earned the title ``Trustee'' because ``trust'' is what 
Jean is all about. As a board member, she guided the District through 
difficult economic times while always making sure that the needs of 
students were foremost on the minds of administrators. While committed 
to the basics, she understood that high school is one of the last times 
that many students have a chance to participate in artistic endeavors. 
She has been a strong supporter of art, music and drama programs, not 
just by providing financial and administrative support, but by 
attending nearly every band concert, school play and art show produced 
in the district for the last 20 years. Madam Speaker, a generation of 
students benefitted from Jean Brink's service. We will miss her, but 
she has certainly earned her retirement. Jean can now spend more time 
on her other interests, including swimming and volunteering for such 
worthwhile projects as the Oceana Natatorium's ceramic mural and the 
Pacifica School Volunteers.
  We all know how much time public office takes away from one's family. 
I want to thank Jean's supportive husband, John Brink for loaning his 
talented and remarkable wife to the community. Son and daughter-in-law 
John and Kristin Brink and daughter and son-in-law Laura and Doug 
Ritenour will, no doubt, love having more time with Jean, but I have a 
feeling the person who will benefit most from Jean's newfound free time 
is her precious and adorable granddaughter, Serena Ritenour.

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