[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 148 (2002), Part 8]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 10536]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




            TRIBUTE TO MAGISTRATE JUDGE JOHN ``JACK'' MASON

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. BILL LUTHER

                              of minnesota

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, June 17, 2002

  Mr. LUTHER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today with a heavy heart to pay 
tribute to a most wonderful man, Magistrate Judge John ``Jack'' Mason, 
a personal friend of mine who passed away recently at the age of 63.
  It has been said that no person is honored for what they receive but 
rather for what they give, and Jack Mason gave much during his many 
years in public service. A lawyer and judge, Jack had a vision and 
passion that served him well in his professional career. Most 
important, however, Jack understood that vision and passion mean 
nothing without love, and he spent his life earning the devotion of his 
family and many friends.
  Jack was born in Mankato and earned a degree from Macalester College 
in St. Paul, where he developed a lifelong friendship with U.N. 
Secretary General Kofi Annan. After graduating from Harvard Law School 
in 1963, he worked hard as a partner and trial lawyer at Dorsey & 
Whitney in Minneapolis for 32 years. He took time along the way to 
serve as Minnesota solicitor in 1971 and state deputy attorney general 
from 1972 to 1973, and also served on the Minneapolis school board from 
1973 to 1980.
  In 1985, Jack Mason was appointed a Federal magistrate judge. His 
ability to speak fluent German, along with his knowledge of Italian, 
French, Spanish, Korean, and Arabic, made his performance of 
naturalization ceremonies a sight to behold. He took great pleasure 
from knowing that people could comfortably communicate their concerns 
to him in the language of their choice.
  Jack is survived by his beloved wife, Vivian, as well as his daughter 
Kathleen, sons Peter and Michael, two brothers, and two sisters.
  Mr. Speaker, looking back at Jack's life, we see a man who was 
dedicated to serving the public good. It is without exaggeration that I 
say all of us who knew him feel blessed to have been in his company. 
Honoring Jack Mason's memory is the least we can do today to recognize 
all that he did for others during the 63 years of his life.

                          ____________________