[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 20]
[House]
[Page 26753]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                 HONORING MR. ROBERT J. ``BOB'' JENSEN

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. Ros-Lehtinen) is recognized for 5 
minutes.
  Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Madam Speaker, I rise tonight to honor the 
accomplishments and the ongoing work of one of South Florida's finest 
residents, Mr. Robert J. ``Bob'' Jensen of Homestead. Bob and his 
wonderful wife, Meda, are well-known for their caring and giving 
personalities and for their selfless work on behalf of our community.
  Meda tells us that Bob's history began in a small town in Iowa where 
he was born and raised. He left Iowa in 1954 to serve in our U.S. Navy. 
He enlisted, excelled, and made Chief in 7 years. Three years later, 
Bob was selected for Officer Candidate School and was commissioned.
  Commander Bob Jensen's specialty in the Navy was cryptology. I happen 
to know that his work is still classified, so please don't ask Bob. He 
still can't tell you about it.
  The last place that Bob was stationed was our dear Homestead, 
Florida, and after 28 years in the United States Navy, Bob retired and 
chose to stay in Homestead with his wife Meda and family; Russell, 
Robert, Christian and Jessica. The Jensens now have lots of beautiful 
grandchildren.
  In 1983, First National Bank's President Bill Losner asked Bob to 
join the bank. Bill Losner knew Bob Jensen well. He picked out a career 
that perfectly suited Bob and that helped First National Bank excel in 
Community Outreach and Marketing.
  As Vice President, Bob Jensen invested the bank's resources and began 
investing all his time to touch and nurture groups, organizations, and 
projects throughout Miami-Dade County. Everyone has told us, out of all 
of his volunteer and community work, Bob is proudest of his efforts to 
create better farm workforce housing.
  Bob is also the former Chair and Commissioner with Homestead Housing 
and has served on the board for Centro Campesino. This outfit trains 
farm workers for better jobs, mostly in construction, and helps enable 
farm workers to build and purchase their own homes. These are wonderful 
legacies for Bob, his fellow board members, and those farm workers who 
have achieved the American dream of home ownership.
  Did I mention Bob and Meda's work with the Pioneer Museum? Well, 
almost every Saturday of the year the Jensens and their trained docents 
give historical tours about our area at a restored railroad station 
house on Krome Avenue. He has also collected hundreds of historical 
photographs, on display at local shops, hotels, and other businesses in 
the Homestead area.

                              {time}  1800

  Bob is also a member of the Agri-Council, which educates south 
Floridians and visitors on the history of the agricultural sector of 
south Florida. Bob serves on the Military Affairs Committee of the 
Homestead and Florida City Chamber of Commerce, helping our active 
duty, reserve, and retired military personnel. And just 5 years ago, 
Bob created the Heritage Hall Museum at Homestead Air Reserve Base to 
record its history. He's called ``Mr. Homestead,'' a term of affection 
from a grateful community.
  Indeed, Bob Jensen is a man about town. He's helping save the meal 
program that provides breakfast and lunch to the vast majority of 
school children at Laura Saunders Elementary.
  He's received numerous awards and honors: Leadership South Dade's 
Leader of the Year; Presidential Award from the Homestead Chamber; 
honors from the Boy Scouts of America, the Mexican American Council, 
the American Red Cross, Miami-Dade County Public Schools, and the 
Miami-Dade Legislative Delegation.
  Bob Jensen is a historian, a volunteer, a mentor, a leader, and a 
friend to all whom he touches. God has blessed our Nation and our 
community with a great man, Bob Jensen.

                          ____________________