[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 159 (2013), Part 1]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 1522]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                         HONORING JOHN BRENKLE

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. MIKE THOMPSON

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, February 14, 2013

  Mr. THOMPSON of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize 
Monsignor John Brenkle on the occasion of receiving the Jefferson Award 
for his work in the Napa Valley community.
  The Jefferson Award is a national award given to those serving the 
community at a national and local level, which Monsignor Brenkle has 
done for the past three decades. He is known throughout the Napa Valley 
as a mercenary who goes above and beyond to ensure the well-being of 
those in the community.
  Monsignor Brenkle attended St. Patrick's Seminary in Menlo Park, 
California, and was ordained on June 14, 1958 through the Archdiocese 
of San Francisco. He received his Doctorate in Canon Law from The 
Catholic University of America in 1962. He served as Chancellor of the 
Diocese in Santa Rosa until 1971, followed by two years of teaching in 
Zambia.
  Monsignor Brenkle has worked tirelessly to help low-income families 
and farm workers. He played a pivotal role in creating housing for 
migrant farm workers, and assisted in the decision to build low income 
housing sites in the valley. He serves on numerous local boards, 
including Catholic Charities, the Board of Directors of Justin-Siena 
High School, Catholic Community Foundation, California Human 
Development Corporation, and the St. Helena Mayor's Multi-cultural 
Committee.
  It is because of all his hard work that he was recognized to receive 
this outstanding award. Mr. Speaker and colleagues, it is my distinct 
pleasure to congratulate Monsignor John Brenkle on this joyous 
occasion.

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