[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 137 (Friday, August 17, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1159]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 LOSS OF MONTCLAIR MAYOR PAUL M. EATON

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. NORMA J. TORRES

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, August 17, 2018

  Mrs. TORRES. Mr. Speaker, it is with a heavy heart that I rise today 
to announce that on July 21st, the City of Montclair in my district 
experienced the great loss of Mayor Paul M. Eaton, a gracious public 
servant who devoted 48 years of his life to serving the people of 
Montclair through government.
  Mayor Eaton was raised in San Diego County's City of El Cajon, where 
his father owned a septic tank business. His time spent helping his 
father operate a tractor and equipment for the family business 
instilled in Eaton a lifelong love for machines and inspired him to 
live out the business' slogan: ``Ask Your Neighbor!''
  Eaton's passion for the Montclair community began in 1965 when he and 
his wife, Ginger, moved to the Inland Empire. The two began their 
service at Bethany Baptist church and at the Ontario-Montclair School 
District volunteering with elementary students. In 1970, Eaton began 
his career in public service as a founding, appointed member of 
Montclair's Community Action Committee. The reputation he earned in 
this position for his commitment to advocating for Montclair residents 
resulted in his appointment to the Montclair Planning Commission four 
years later, which he served on until becoming a City Council member in 
1988.
  Following Mayor Larry Rhinehart's sudden departure, Eaton was 
unanimously installed into the position by his fellow City Council 
members. He served as the city's leader for 23 consecutive years, 
totaling nearly six terms in office, and becoming the longest serving 
mayor in Montclair history. His greatest achievements included 
constructing a state-of-the-art police facility and Youth and Senior 
Centers, widening Central Avenue on the I-10 Freeway, making critical 
improvements to the Mission Boulevard and Hold Corridors, and ensuring 
future service to the Montclair Transcenter for the Gold Line light 
rail service. Mayor Eaton's decades of unwavering devotion to the city 
he loved has resulted in a well-deserved and honorable title of Mayor 
Emeritus of Montclair, an accolade bestowed upon him by his city 
council colleagues following his passing.
  For his exemplary life of service, Mr. Speaker, it is on the House 
floor an honor to recognize Mayor Paul M. Eaton. His decades of 
commitment and contributions to the City of Montclair are worthy of 
admiration, and his memory will live on through the countless lives he 
has impacted. Mayor Eaton is survived by his wife and current mayor of 
Montclair, Ginger Eaton, their four children, nine grandchildren, and 
14 great-grandchildren. May he rest in peace.

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