[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 136 (Thursday, September 24, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2366]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          HONORING GENE TUNNEY

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. MIKE THOMPSON

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 24, 2009

  Mr. THOMPSON of California. Madam Speaker, I rise today along with my 
colleague, Representative Lynn Woolsey, to honor the life of Gene 
Tunney who served as Sonoma County District Attorney for 20 years. Mr. 
Tunney passed away August 9, 2009, with his family at his side.
  Born in New York City in 1931, Mr. Tunney was the son of the famous 
heavyweight boxing champion James Joseph ``Gene'' Tunney and brother of 
California Congressman and Senator John Tunney. After serving in the 
Army, he moved to the Bay Area where he enrolled in law school in San 
Francisco. In 1971, he began his first job in Sonoma County as a Deputy 
Public Defender. A few years later he ran for District Attorney, 
narrowly winning the race. He served in that office for five more 
terms, from 1974 to 1994.
  Mr. Tunney is credited with modernizing and professionalizing the 
District Attorney's office, guiding its transition in an era of 
increasingly urban types of crime. He placed restrictions on plea 
bargains and reviewed all felony cases while becoming an advocate for 
victims of crime. He was highly regarded for his sense of justice and 
for bringing changes to offices around the state after co-founding the 
California District Attorney's Association.
  Married 49 years ago, Mr. Tunney enjoyed spending time with his wife 
Ann and their family. After retirement, the couple lived in Hawaii for 
a decade where they pursued their mutual hobby, flying small planes, as 
well as traveling, swimming, and reading. They later moved to Tiburon 
in Marin County, California.
  Mr. Tunney is survived by his children Alexandra Kelly, Megan Tunney, 
Erin MacLeon, and Gene Tunney as well as seven grandchildren and 
brothers John and Jay.
  Madam Speaker, we are proud to honor Gene Tunney 's contributions to 
our community and know that, with many of his Deputy District Attorneys 
serving on the bench, his legacy of high standards and fairness to 
victims will continue in Sonoma County.

                          ____________________