January 9, 2009 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E61 

build the church, and he gave the church a 

new name, Mount Fern Church. 

By 1880 Mount Fern was a hilltop community of about 25 homes, a dozen or so farms, 

and the mining families. The successes of the 

local mines attracted still more miners to Randolph. After moving to an old stone farmhouse, John Spargo held Methodist class 

meetings in his home. The old stone house 

served as both an early church and Sunday 

school. Its two small rooms were soon filled to 

capacity. Eventually the community decided it 

was time to build a new church. 

The Rev. Robert Jenkins served as the first 

pastor of Mount Fern Church from 1883–1884 

and returned for a second year in 1894. Many 

of the Mount Fern early pastors were laymen, 

people who lived in the community, often with 

a farm of their own, and volunteered to lead 

the church for a year or two. 

Mount Fern was well attended in its earliest 

years. However, membership declined when 

the local mines closed. By 1914 the church 

listed only 30 members. 

The first Mount Fern Church Fair was held 

on July 4, 1914. Booths surrounding the 

church sold food, gifts, and souvenirs. A 

baked goods booth featured fresh-baked cookies and Anne Spargo’s apple pies. Chicken 

suppers were served from a tent erected on 

the grounds. Fireworks at the first fair, by accident or mischievous design, ignited prematurely. Mount Fern never attempted fireworks again, but the church fair became a 

popular annual event for over 50 years. 

By 1948 there were about 100 houses in 

the community. New families moved into the 

area and the church began to grow. In 1952 

construction of a new fellowship hall began. 

Growth continued and membership swelled 

to 350 after the arrival of Rev. Diane Gilbert 

in 1996. 

Although over the years the building has 

changed, the church has not. Mount Fern 

Church remains a congregation of people 

united in their faith. 

Madam Speaker, I ask that the House recognize this remarkable church and parishioners who have contributed so much toward 

the preservation and appreciation of American 

history through their place of worship at Mount 

Fern United Methodist Church in Randolph, 

New Jersey. 

f 

NATIONAL MENTORING MONTH 

HON. SUSAN A. DAVIS OF CALIFORNIA

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Friday, January 9, 2009 

Mrs. DAVIS of California. Madam Speaker, 

I rise today to introduce a resolution recognizing and honoring those who make a difference in the lives of our young people 

across the United States. 

I am honored to be joined by Congressman 

MIKE ROGERS of Michigan and Congresswoman BETTY MCCOLLUM of Minnesota in introducing a resolution marking January of 

2009 as National Mentoring Month as proclaimed by the President of the United States. 

National Mentoring Month celebrates and honors those who are mentors and draws attention to the great need for more mentors. 

Mentors make a tremendous difference in 

the lives of our children. When a responsible 

and reliable adult becomes a mentor, the benefits to the mentee can last a lifetime. Countless stories show the positive outcomes of a 

good role model. 

Quality mentoring relationships between reliable adults and our young people are invaluable. Millions of adults nationwide are acting 

as excellent role models while providing guidance and advice to our young people—many 

of whom face problems at home or difficulties 

at school. Without a good, solid role model, 

our kids are more likely to drop out of high 

school or to become involved with drugs or alcohol. 

Unfortunately, research shows that about 15 

million children across the United States are in 

need of a mentor and a good role model. It is 

crucial that we begin to reach these children 

to give them a better future and hope. We are 

calling on more adults to rise to the occasion 

and to act as a role model to our children. 

Madam Speaker, thank you very much for 

the opportunity to offer a resolution honoring 

America’s mentors on the occasion of National 

Mentoring Month, 2009. I urge its quick passage. 

f 

IN HONOR OF DANIEL M. ORTEGA 

HON. SAM FARR OF CALIFORNIA

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Friday, January 9, 2009 

Mr. FARR. Madam Speaker, I rise today to 

honor the career of a great public servant on 

the occasion of his retirement. Daniel M. Ortega has served the City of Salinas as Chief 

of Police for nearly a decade, working hard to 

provide its citizens with a sense of peace, 

safety, and security. He retired this week after 

an exemplary 42-year public safety career. 

Chief Ortega began his career in his hometown of Stockton, California, as a patrol officer. He then moved to San Jose, where he 

spent 28 years ascending the ranks of the 

San Jose Police Department. His assignments 

included 12 years as a hostage negotiator, 3 

years as the Executive Director of the Police 

Activities League, and as the Captain of the 

Special Operations Division. In June 1999, 

Chief Ortega left the San Jose Police Department as a Deputy Chief of Police and Chief of 

Detectives. 

In Salinas, Chief Ortega championed community-oriented policing. He created a police 

substation on Salinas’ east side to ensure increased community access to the police. 

Moreover, he coordinated with business leaders to develop strategies to increase the safety of local businesses. Chief Ortega was also 

instrumental in creating a Community Services 

Coordinator position within City Hall. Additionally, he revitalized the School Resource Officer program to polish the image of police 

amongst the city’s youth. Seeking to staff the 

department with ‘‘homegrown’’ police officers, 

Chief Ortega established a cadet program, 

which mentored youth from ages 16 to 21. 

Furthermore, in conjunction with the County of 

Monterey, he was integral in developing the 

highly successful Joint Gang Task Force. 

In addition to his community-oriented approach, Chief Ortega improved the Salinas 

Police Department in other ways. He increased the force from a strength of 150 to 

187 and expanded the Hostage Negotiation 

Team. He also established a horse-mounted 

unit, added a ballistic identification system, 

and acquired command and crime scene investigation vehicles. 

Chief Ortega has served on the Board of Directors of various organizations, including the 

California Police Chiefs Association and the 

United Way of Monterey County. He is also a 

past president of the Monterey County Chief 

Law Enforcement Officers Association. His 

memberships include the International Association of Chiefs of Police and the National 

Latino Police Officers Association. 

Madam Speaker, Chief Daniel M. Ortega 

leaves an indelible legacy and a shining example to his officers, peers, and successors. 

On behalf of the House, I wish Chief Ortega, 

his wife Donna, and their family continual happiness and prosperity as he progresses on to 

well-deserved retirement. 

f 

HONORING BOB PICKARD 

HON. GEORGE RADANOVICH OF CALIFORNIA

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Friday, January 9, 2009 

Mr. RADANOVICH. Madam Speaker, I rise 

today to congratulate Bob Pickard upon his retirement as Mariposa County Supervisor, District V. Supervisor Pickard was honored by the 

Mariposa County Board of Supervisors on 

Tuesday, December 16, 2008. 

Bob Pickard was originally appointed on 

September 4, 1996, by Governor Wilson to fill 

an unexpired term on the Mariposa County 

Board of Supervisors, District V. He was elected in 1996 and re-elected in 2000 and 2004. 

Over the past decade, Supervisor Pickard has 

been involved in numerous projects, committees, and organizations. He served as chair in 

1999, 2003, and 2005. Under his role of supervisor he served on the Disaster Advisory 

Council, Fish Camp Community Planning Advisory Council, Wawona Appeals Board, 

Wawona Town Planning Advisory Committee, 

and Mariposa Solid Waste AB939 Local Task 

Force. Over the years, he also served on the 

board of directors for over 10 different agencies including: Area 12 Agency of Aging Joint 

Powers Authority Governing Board, California 

State Association of Counties Government Finance and Operations Committee, and California State Association of Resource Conservation and Development Council. Supervisor Pickard worked tirelessly on dozens of 

projects to revamp the county, community 

planning and development, recreation facilities, landfill, wastewater treatment facilities, 

airport improvement, road and fire station improvements. During his tenure, he was regularly involved in the resolving of natural disasters including the floods of 2005, the Ferguson 

rock slide disaster of 2006 and the recent 

wildfires of 2008. 

Supervisor Pickard has worked with the 

State government for assistance in resolving 

issues that affect small rural counties. He was 

successful with legislation to bring $400,000 to 

Mariposa County, $80,000 per year for counties with no incorporated cities, for their fair 

share of the gasoline tax and vehicle license 

fees; $900,000 for local road rehabilitations; 

$240,000 to provide equity funding for rural 

counties and their hazardous waste inspections on local businesses; $120,000 and an 


smartinez on PROD1PC64 with REMARKS