[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 73 (Wednesday, April 28, 2021)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E464]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       TRIBUTE IN HONOR OF THE LIFE OF THE HONORABLE GENE MULLIN

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. ANNA G. ESHOO

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, April 28, 2021

  Ms. ESHOO. Madam Speaker, I rise to honor the life of Eugene Mullin, 
known to all as Gene, who died on April 5, 2021, three years after 
being diagnosed with cancer. He was born in the San Francisco Bay Area 
on April 21, 1937, and lived most of his life in South San Francisco.
  Gene Mullin gave generously of his time and considerable talents in 
service to our country, serving in the Judge Advocate Corps of the U.S. 
Army from 1959 to 1960, and earned a Bachelor's degree and a lifetime 
secondary teaching certificate from the University of San Francisco 
(USF).
  A lifelong teacher, Gene Mullin taught Social Studies at South San 
Francisco High School for 32 years. He was named the San Mateo County 
Teacher of the Year in 1991, was honored as Alumnus of the Year 2011 by 
USF's School of Education, and Riordan High School's first Alumnus of 
the Year in 2010. He coached basketball for two decades, served as 
President of the SSF CTA, and made educational videos on social studies 
topics. Thousands of South San Francisco students benefitted from his 
complete dedication to them and his commitment to their education.
  Gene Mullin began his career in local public service in 1972 when he 
was appointed to the South San Francisco Planning Commission. He served 
seven years on the South San Francisco City Council, two of them as 
Mayor. He was elected to the California State Assembly in 2002, 
representing California's 19th Assembly District, and served for three 
exemplary terms. Gene wrote several books about local government and 
received numerous well-deserved awards and honors for his public 
service. He will be remembered for his devotion to the people of South 
San Francisco, and particularly to the youth of the community and his 
role in getting them involved in government. He was a hardworking 
legislator who set the gold standard for public office with his 
integrity and commitment to his constituents.
  Gene Mullin was preceded in death by his beloved wife Terri. He 
leaves his son, Kevin Mullin, who is currently the Speaker Pro Tempore 
of the California State Assembly, his daughter Jennifer, and five 
adored grandsons.
  Gene's son Kevin said ``His legacy on civic engagement lives on 
through the lives of his legions of students, as well as his children 
and grandchildren. He was our proverbial north star and we'll never be 
the same with him gone.''
  Madam Speaker, I ask the entire House of Representatives to join me 
in extending our condolences to Gene Mullin's family. Gene was a 
cherished friend and I had the deepest admiration and respect for him. 
He was a great and good man, a superb educator, a highly effective 
legislator and a mentor to many. He made his community better by the 
way he lived, led and worked, and he strengthened our nation 
immeasurably.

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