[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 116 (Thursday, September 15, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1874-E1875]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     A TRIBUTE TO SAMUEL L. JACKSON

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. DORIS O. MATSUI

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 15, 2005

  Ms. MATSUI. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to honor Samuel L. Jackson, a 
man who through hard work and dedication has become one of the most 
successful and well-respected attorneys in the state of California. As 
his friends, family and colleagues gather to pay tribute to Mr. 
Jackson's remarkable career and to celebrate his retirement, I ask all 
my colleagues to join me in saluting this great American success story.
  Sam was born in 1947 in Pensacola, Florida. At the age of four, Sam's 
parents separated. Thereafter, Sam's mother, Annette, raised her six 
children alone while working two jobs. Mrs. Jackson taught her children 
that education was the key to success, and Sam graduated from high 
school in segregated Pensacola, Florida. However, despite the fact that 
Sam was on the honor roll for nearly all of his childhood, he was 
unable to attend college immediately due to the lack of scholarship 
money available to graduates of all-black high schools.
  To earn money for college, Sam joined the United States Air Force, 
where he served honorably from 1966 until 1970. Sam's military career 
included stateside service at Mather Air Force Base in Sacramento and 
Travis Air Force Base in Fairfield, as well as thirteen months in 
Vietnam. After receiving numerous medals, ribbons, and awards, Sam was 
honorably discharged, and returned home to enroll at Sacramento City 
College.
  While still in the Air Force and stationed at Mather, Sam served as 
best man in a friend's wedding, accompanying the bride's sister Esther. 
The next time Sam and Esther walked down the aisle together, it was as 
bride and groom. They married in 1970 upon his return from Vietnam, and 
recently celebrated their 35th anniversary. Sam and Esther have one 
child, Andre Reginald.

[[Page E1875]]

  After earning his Associate of Arts degree from Sacramento City 
College, Sam continued his education at California State University, 
Sacramento. He received his Bachelor of Arts degree in only three years 
of college study, despite working full time for the United States 
Postal Service throughout his undergraduate career. After concluding 
his undergraduate education, he proceeded to law school at McGeorge 
School of Law, where he graduated in 1977.
  As a first-year lawyer that same year, Sam was hired as a Sacramento 
Deputy District Attorney. After two years of working in this capacity, 
he decided that civil litigation suited him better. Sam obtained a 
lateral appointment to the position of Deputy City Attorney in 1979, 
and was promoted to the top of the deputy attorney hierarchy in the 
minimum amount of time allotted for such advancements.
  In 1994, after fifteen years of distinguished service in the City 
Attorney's office, Sam was appointed by the Sacramento City Council as 
the 36th City Attorney in Sacramento's history. He has held that post 
for over 11 years, but last year Sam notified the City Council that he 
would be retiring no later than December 30, 2005.
  Along with his impressive career achievements, Sam has also made 
substantial contributions to Sacramento through community involvement. 
The highlight of his community service occurred in 1981, when he 
undertook the management of a little league baseball team that had 
never enjoyed a winning season. As to be expected, Sam led the 
youngsters to a dominating 18-4 record by emphasizing teamwork and 
respect for others.
  Mr. Speaker, as Sam's friends, family, and colleagues gather to 
celebrate his admirable career, I am honored to pay tribute to one of 
Sacramento's most selfless and dedicated citizens. Although his legal 
career may be over, Sam's involvement in his community is, fortunately 
for us, far from complete. I ask all of my colleagues to join with me 
in wishing Samuel L. Jackson continued success in all his future 
endeavors.

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