[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 14 (Thursday, February 14, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E159]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            TRIBUTE TO CALIFORNIA STATE SENATOR JOHN BURTON

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. HILDA L. SOLIS

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 13, 2002

  Ms. SOLIS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to my good friend 
and former colleague in the California State Senate, Senator John 
Burton. Senator Burton is being ``roasted'' this weekend at the 
California Democratic Party's convention in Los Angeles, California.
  Born December 15, 1932, Senator Burton attended San Francisco State 
College and USF Law School. Senator Burton was elected president pro 
tem in February of 1998. He was elected to the State Senate in 1996 and 
represents the 3rd Senatorial District of California which includes San 
Francisco, Marin County, and Southern Sonoma County. He has served in 
the State Assembly and the U.S. House of Representatives.
  Under Burton's leadership, CalGrant college scholarships became 
guaranteed for students with financial need who maintain a 2.0 grade 
point average or higher. In the first state budget enacted after he 
became president pro tem, Burton restored cost of living adjustments 
and increased benefits for the elderly, blind and disabled and for 
mothers and children on welfare. Burton recently ensured that mental 
health services and juvenile crime prevention programs received 
historic levels of support.
  As a recent article in the Sacramento Bee stated, ``Senate leader 
John Burton is the type who will buy blankets and drive around San 
Francisco handing them out to the homeless.'' He is a man with a kind 
heart, golden spirit and the kind of friend I am proud to have made 
while I was in the California legislature. I respect him for his 
passion to help the needy and for his tenacity to fight for the rights 
of people who do not have a strong voice in government decision-making.
  His daughter Kimiko is the Public Defender for the city and county of 
San Francisco. He is also the proud grandfather to 16-month-old Juan 
Emilio Cruz.

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