[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 160 (2014), Part 11]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 15851]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                   HONORING THE LIFE OF JOHN H. KREBS

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. JIM COSTA

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, November 17, 2014

  Mr. COSTA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the life of my 
good friend and former Member of Congress, John H. Krebs. John passed 
away on November 10, 2014 at the age of 87.
  John Krebs was an honorable man, and a community leader whose 
unwavering service will be greatly missed. In addition to his two terms 
in the U.S. Congress from 1975-1979, Mr. Krebs was a civic and 
Democratic Party leader in Fresno, an attorney in private practice for 
over 30 years, an apprentice diamond cutter during his youth in Tel 
Aviv, and served in the U.S. Army.
  While in Congress, he was best known for his authorship and enactment 
of legislation incorporating the Mineral King Valley into Sequoia 
National Park, thwarting Disney developers who wanted to turn the 
wilderness area into a major ski resort. To recognize his 
accomplishment, in 2009, President Obama signed legislation 
establishing the John Krebs Wilderness Area, covering 40,000 acres 
within the Mineral King Valley.
  John Krebs was born December 17, 1926, in Berlin. His parents fled 
Germany only a few months after Hitler came to power, and be was raised 
in Tel Aviv. In his teens, he embarked on a career as a diamond cutter 
and joined the Haganah, a Jewish underground organization opposing the 
British rule, while also preparing to attend college.
  Mr. Krebs moved to the U.S. in 1946 to attend the University of 
California, Berkeley. He graduated in 1950 and became a U.S. citizen in 
1952. Following his two years in the Army, he attended the University 
of California Hastings College of Law and passed the California Bar in 
1957. For the next three decades, he practiced law with the Parichan 
law firm, specializing in civil defense litigation.
  Politics beckoned, and Mr. Krebs became an activist and leader in 
Democratic politics, playing a key role in local and statewide 
campaigns. In March 1970, he was elected to the Fresno County Board of 
Supervisors, a post he held until his election to Congress in November, 
1974. He was the first foreign-born congressman from California. In a 
1978 interview, Mr. Krebs said: ``It's a tremendous credit to our 
system. Here I can come to a community as an immigrant, really not 
knowing a soul, and 27 years later, I am elected to Congress.''
  He returned to Fresno after his tenure in Congress, and practiced law 
until his retirement. Mr. Krebs served on numerous boards and 
commissions, and was foreman of the Fresno County Grand Jury for two 
years. He and his wife enjoyed traveling, and relished visiting their 
grandchildren during the past 23 years. During his life, Mr. Krebs' 
high values, strong work ethic and caring for others have been an 
inspiration for his family and friends. His loving guidance as a 
husband, father and grandfather will be forever cherished.
  Mr. Krebs is survived by his wife of 58 years, Hanna Krebs; his son 
Daniel Krebs of San Anselmo, California, daughter-in-law Susan and 
grandsons Clay and Peter; his daughter Karen Krebs Wood of New Canaan, 
Connecticut, son-in-law John and grandchildren Elizabeth, Caroline and 
Jack; and his 90 year old brother, Shlomo Krebs of Tel Aviv, his sons 
and extended family.
  Mr. Speaker, it is with great respect that I ask my colleagues to 
join me paying tribute to the life of John H. Krebs. It has been a 
privilege to have known John. His children, relatives, and friends have 
an extraordinary role model that they will hold in their hearts 
forever. His presence will be greatly missed but his legacy will surely 
live through those who knew him.

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