[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 134 (Thursday, December 7, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2109]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       TRIBUTE TO JOHN A. NEJEDLY

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. GEORGE MILLER

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, December 6, 2006

  Mr. GEORGE MILLER of California. Mr. Speaker, with a heavy heart, I 
rise to pay tribute to the life of former California State Senator John 
A. Nejedly who died on September 19, 2006. For more than 35 years, 
Senator Nejedly dedicated his life to serving the people of California 
and his Contra Costa County community. As a California State Senator, 
Mr. Nejedly was a brilliant leader in environmental policy and 
following his career in the senate, he was a relentless advocate for 
disadvantaged youths in Contra Costa County and throughout California.
  John A. Nejedly was born on October 22, 1914, in Oakland, California, 
and had been a resident of Walnut Creek since 1938. He graduated from 
the University of California with a Bachelor of Science degree and in 
1941 earned his law degree from Boalt School of Law. His ties to the 
University were especially strong and the gold sweater he wore as a 
symbol of his devotion to Cal soon became his trademark.
  In 1942, with World War II at hand, John Nejedly became an 
intelligence officer in the Army Air Force and served as a Japanese 
language officer until his honorable discharge in 1946. Shortly after 
the war, John opened his law firm and was soon after appointed to the 
position of City Attorney for the city of Walnut Creek and Deputy 
District Attorney for Contra Costa County. He worked diligently in this 
capacity for 12 years before being elected Contra Costa County District 
Attorney.
  In 1969, District Attorney Nejedly was elected to the California 
State Senate. John served the people of the 7th Senate District with 
distinction for 11 years. As a State senator, he wrote some of 
California's most important environmental laws and in the process 
became one of our State's principal water policy experts. He also 
helped create one of California's greatest urban park institutions for 
Contra Costa County. Renowned for his art of persuasion, John was 
instrumental in securing our precious resources for generations to come 
and, as a result, in 1966 he was named one of ten ``Outstanding 
Americans in the Field of Conservation''.
  Senator Nejedly retired from public office in 1980 and followed his 
passion of helping disadvantaged youth full time. He donated 80 acres 
of landing California's Sierra Mountains to provide a camp for the Boy 
Scouts and created the Contra Costa Youth Council to assist disabled, 
and underpivileged youth take pleasure in the outdoors. In addition, he 
funded a generous scholarship to help minority adults today who will 
never forget the generosity and compassion John Nejedly showed them in 
their youth.
  Throughout his life, John was magnificent leader. Whether it was 
water, open space or parks he was a pioneer. He was a true public 
servant.
  To John's children, Mary Piepho, his sons, Jim and John, his stepson, 
Greg, and his grandchildren I extend my heartfelt condolences. Their 
loss is shared not only by those who knew John personally but also by 
all those who have been touched by the work he has done. We will be 
forever grateful for the integrity, compassion and generosity with 
which he sought to make our community, the State of California, and our 
country, a better place for all of us. We are extremely grateful to 
John's family for sharing him with us for so many years.

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