[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 5 (Monday, January 9, 2017)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E36-E37]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          IN MEMORY OF RIVERSIDE COUNTY SUPERVISOR JOHN BENOIT

                                  _____
                                 

                             HON. PAUL COOK

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Monday, January 9, 2017

  Mr. COOK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and honor the life 
of Riverside County Supervisor John Benoit, who passed away on December 
26, 2016 at the age of 64. John was a lifelong public servant, having 
spent 31 years in law enforcement prior to his first foray into elected 
office in 1999 as a board member for the Desert Sands Unified School 
District.
  In 2002, John was elected to the California State Assembly, where I 
had the pleasure of

[[Page E37]]

calling him a colleague. I was always impressed with John's keen 
understanding of developing sound public policy on behalf of his 
constituents. He was a true statesman in every sense of the word. John 
was elected to the California State Senate in 2008 and was eventually 
appointed to the Riverside County Board of Supervisors in 2009 by 
California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger.
  On the Riverside County Board of Supervisors, John represented the 
largest and, arguably, most diverse district in the county. Yet, he 
never let his partisan leanings interfere with his duty to serve his 
constituents. This, undoubtedly, will be one of John's many lasting 
legacies.
  John is survived by his wife, Sheryl; son, Ben; daughter, Sarah; and 
two grandchildren, Abrielle and Nick. On behalf of the U.S. House of 
Representatives, I would like to offer our condolences to John's family 
and friends during this difficult time. May he rest in eternal peace.

                          ____________________