[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 18 (Wednesday, February 12, 1997)]
[House]
[Pages H512-H513]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        TRIBUTE TO JANE CLAYTON

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentleman from New Jersey [Mr. Pappas] is recognized for 5 minutes.

[[Page H513]]

  Mr. PAPPAS. Mr. Speaker, for the past 16 years, the residents of 
Monmouth County, NJ, have had the great fortune to have Jane Clayton 
serving as their county clerk. Day in and day out Jane has brought the 
highest degree of professionalism to this office. Jane's community 
service and involvement spans over 3 decades and has touched too many 
people to count. Aside from her service as county clerk, she had been a 
county freeholder and served on numerous boards and counsels.
  It would take hours to list the numerous activities that Jane has 
given her time to over the past 30 years, so while I will attempt to 
touch upon just a few. She has served on the Monmouth County Criminal 
Justice Coordinating Council, County Detention Center's board, County 
Planning Board, County Election Commission, board of directors of the 
County Council of Girl Scouts, and the board of directors of the county 
United Way, to name just a few.
  The businesslike approach to government that we in Congress strive to 
bring to the Federal Government, Jane Clayton has brought to the office 
of county clerk. To Jane, the people of the county are customers and 
her goal has been to bring the highest degree of service to these 
customers. She treats the taxpayers' money as she would her own. She 
has rooted out waste in her office and, by all accounts, has made it a 
model for others to follow. Washington could learn a lot from Jane 
Clayton.
  Today, the public's perception of public servants has become 
tarnished due to scandals and back-door deals. If everyone in public 
office had the professionalism and high ethical standards that Jane 
Clayton does, I am sure that public office holders would be held with 
only the highest regard. She is admired and respected both as a public 
servant and person.
  The quality of Jane's work has not gone unnoticed over the years. 
Several organizations have recognized her outstanding service and 
efforts by choosing her as their woman of the year. The March of Dimes, 
Zonta International, Association of Retarded Citizens, Big Brothers/Big 
Sisters, the County Council of Girl Scouts and the Monmouth County 
Fireman's Association are just a few of the groups that have recognized 
what so many of us see on a daily basis.
  During my time as a county freeholder, I remember that Jane used to 
send around calendars with the history of the U.S. flag. Jane has an 
unyielding desire to share her knowledge with others and this was just 
one small example.
  More than a public servant, Jane has been a devoted mother and 
grandmother. I often wonder how she finds all the time while doing 
everything so well. Often it is said that you cannot be everything to 
everyone, but if there was someone who came close, it would be Jane 
Clayton.
  The legacy of Jane Clayton will not go forgotten. How appropriate 
that the archive record retention center in Manalapan Township which 
she helped create will serve as the ideal place to record her own years 
of service as well as the service of so many others in the county of 
Monmouth.
  We are sad to lose Jane in the clerk's office and wish her well. The 
standard that she has set over the past decade and a half will be the 
bar for all future clerks to reach for.
  I guess the greatest accomplishment that anyone in public service can 
have said about them is that they have made a difference. Jane, you 
have made a difference, in our county and in our lives.
  I join the people of Monmouth County in thanking the Honorable Jane 
Clayton, my friend and colleague, for her service.
  Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a good 
friend and great public servant--Monmouth County Clerk Jane Clayton--
who just recently retired from her position after 16 years of dedicated 
service.
  Monmouth County, NJ, has had the great benefit of having Mrs. Jane 
Clayton as our county clerk from 1980 to just a few weeks ago. Jane 
took that office and transformed it into the fiscally conservative 
success that it is today--all the while ensuring that our rich history 
and record of efficient services remains intact for our children, 
grandchildren, and their children to enjoy.
  Before serving Monmouth County as clerk, Jane was a county freeholder 
in the late 1970's. She has held a variety of offices before county 
clerk--including serving on the boards of the County Criminal Justice 
Coordinating Council, the County Detention Center, the County Planning 
Board, and the Monmouth Museum Board of Trustees.
  Over the years, Jane and I have worked on countless projects 
together. Particularly momentous to both Jane and me was the unique 
effort between the county and Federal levels of government to acquire 
an absolutely beautiful mural of the Battle of Monmouth for the 
headquarters of the Monmouth County Library. This project was 
especially important, as the Federal Government rarely works with an 
individual county to provide them with such things as the artwork that 
we now have in Monmouth County.
  Jane has also been successful in getting modern technology to improve 
the records system for the county archives. As Monmouth County was host 
to Revolutionary War Battles--such as the Battle of Monmouth--we have a 
wealth of history that needs to continue to be available for all who 
wish to learn more about our great area.
  Jane has been given countless awards for her numerous years of 
service--including honors from the March of Dimes, the Monmouth County 
Fireman's Association, and the Monmouth Council of Boy Scouts and Girl 
Scouts. Jane has a record of excellence that many in central New Jersey 
are thankful for.
  Monmouth County is a great area with many different communities and 
neighborhoods. From our part of the Jersey Shore, to towns like 
Millstone and Allentown, Jane pleased nearly everyone in her service as 
county clerk.
  I'm already missing Jane Clayton, as she retired on December 31, 1996 
after many years of hard work. I respect Jane for not only her topnotch 
performance as county clerk--but also her knowledge and involvement in 
Monmouth County.
  We have a lot to be thankful for in Monmouth County: Great little 
towns, good roads, great services, excellent land management, good 
businesses, and a county clerk second-to-none.
  Thanks again, Jane, for everything you've contributed to Monmouth 
County. I look forward to seeing you back home--because I know that 
you'll still be a staple of the Fourth District. From all of us in the 
Fourth District and Monmouth County--Jane--best wishes and know that 
your hard work is and will always be deeply appreciated.

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