[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 75 (Thursday, June 15, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1019]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         TRIBUTE TO JOHN JACOBS

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. ROBERT T. MATSUI

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 15, 2000

  Mr. MATSUI. Mr. Speaker, I rise in tribute to John Jacobs. One of the 
most well known and respected political journalists in Northern 
California, Mr. Jacobs recently passed away after a lengthy battle with 
cancer. His friends and family will gather for a memorial service on 
Thursday, June 15. I ask all my colleagues to join with me today in 
saluting John Jacobs.
  After attending Lowell High School in San Francisco, Mr. Jacobs 
graduated Phi Beta Kappa from UC Berkeley in 1972. He earned a master's 
degree in American history at the State University of New York, Stony 
Brook, in 1973 and a master's degree in Journalism at UC Berkeley in 
1977.
  John Jacobs was recognized as a Knight Professional Journalism Fellow 
at Stanford University in 1984-1985 and a visiting scholar at 
Berkeley's Institute of Governmental Studies. It was there that he 
researched most of his book, ``A Rage for Justice,'' a biography of 
Phil Burton.
  At the beginning of his distinguished literary career, Mr. Jacobs 
spent a year as a general assignment reporter on the national desk for 
the Washington Post. He later made his mark writing for his hometown 
newspaper, the San Francisco Examiner. He wrote for the Examiner for 15 
years before joining the Sacramento Bee in 1993 as a political editor.
  In his many years in journalism, John Jacobs worked tirelessly to 
generate public interest in politics. He helped to define politics in 
Northern California while defending American democracy. Despite his 
criticism of ideological politics in this deeply cynical age, his 
belief in our system shone through. He challenged us to examine the 
political system from a different perspective. In doing so, he 
celebrated politics in a time when few others did.
  John Jacobs maintained his perspective and generated his positive 
attitude through his love for his family. His wife (Carol Bydolf) and 
children (Max and Marguerite) contributed to his caring and generous 
personality. He refused to use his position to attack or belittle 
others. He will be remembered for his vigor, his optimism, and his 
hunger for knowledge in an arena that he truly adored.
  Mr. Speaker, it is a great honor for me to pay tribute to John 
Jacobs, a truly outstanding member of our community. Mr. Jacobs' 
columns have become a part of our lives in Sacramento and the Bay Area, 
and his presence in Northern California will be sincerely missed. I ask 
all of my colleagues to join with me in celebrating his accomplishments 
and extending our deepest condolences to his family.

                          ____________________