[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 160 (2014), Part 5]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 6941]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                   HONORING THE LIFE OF JOHN W. WELLS

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. JIM COSTA

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                          Tuesday, May 6, 2014

  Mr. COSTA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of John W. 
Wells, who passed away on March 24, 2014, at the age of 86. John was a 
community leader in the City of Madera, and his unwavering service will 
be greatly missed.
  John spent much of his life in Madera County. He was born to John and 
Mary Wells, and grew up in a large family with eight siblings. In 1947, 
he graduated from Chowchilla Union High School and joined the United 
States Army.
  John served as a member of the infamous Wolfhound Division. He was 
wounded in action and after receiving treatment in Japan was sent back 
to Korea, where he remained until the end of the war. He served as an 
airborne forward artillery observer. John was awarded the Purple Heart 
medal for his brave and honorable service.
  John continued his military service in El Paso, Texas, where he met 
his wife Bette Collins. In 1952, John and Bette married. After 
completing his final tour in Germany, John remained in the Army 
Reserves for many years and retired with the rank of Captain. John 
attended Fresno State College and earned his teaching credential. As a 
student, John also served as an officer for Madera's Police Department. 
He later worked as a teacher and eventually retired from teaching at 
Sugar Pine High School, a Madera Unified School District continuation 
high school.
  John had a long and distinguished career in city politics. In 1964, 
he was elected to Madera City Council, and he served for 10 years. For 
part of that time, he served as mayor. John went on a hiatus from 
elected office, but returned and was re-elected to the city council in 
1990. He served consecutive terms as city councilman until 2006. John 
was truly committed to serving the people of Madera and doing what was 
best for the city. He faithfully attended council meetings and members 
of the community felt they could always count on him.
  Because of John's dedication and commitment to ensuring the success 
of young people, the City of Madera inaugurated the John W. Wells Youth 
Center to commemorate John's service and accomplishments. The center 
now stands as a fitting tribute and memorial to John's life. Apart from 
the youth center, John also promoted and worked tirelessly to build a 
skate park within Rotary Park. He was driven to serve the youth in 
Madera and worked tirelessly to create places where the youth could 
remain busy and out of trouble.
  Mr. Speaker, it is with great respect that I ask my colleagues in the 
U.S. House of Representative's to join me in honoring the life of John 
W. Wells. John will undoubtedly be missed by his family, friends, and 
community, but his legacy will surely live on.

                          ____________________