[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 150 (2004), Part 17]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 23443-23444]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                          HONORING JOHN BURTON

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. NANCY PELOSI

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, October 8, 2004

  Ms. PELOSI. Mr. Speaker, with great respect, admiration, and 
affection, I am honored to salute John Burton for 40 years of fighting 
for human rights and social justice for the American people. John has 
been my mentor, my ally, and my dear friend for many years and 
throughout my time in Congress. Although term limits have now led John 
to continue his fight in new arenas, his leadership as President pro 
tempore of the California State Senate will long be recognized as a 
powerful force in the fight against poverty and in the fight for 
fairness for all.
  The Burton name has occupied a revered place in California politics 
for decades, and John has served with great integrity in the Congress 
and in the California State Legislature. The vast landscape of John 
Burton's leadership includes legislative successes to protect our 
workers, to provide health care to all, to ensure equal rights for 
minorities, to preserve our environment, and to improve education. That 
landscape has been shaped by his intellect, his conviction, his humor, 
his sensitivity, and his ability to capture hearts, even those of his 
opponents.
  One of John's first acts upon returning to the state legislature was 
to introduce a bill outlawing poverty. This was typical Burton style--
deep caring mixed with a brash reminder of our Nation's core value to 
care for those in greatest need. John displayed this fundamental 
commitment to justice recently when he spoke at a Building and 
Construction Trades Convention and stated, ``It is up to you and me and 
others like us to make sure that when people are asking for a job, that 
job has decent wages, decent working conditions, and

[[Page 23444]]

decent benefits and that workers get their fair share of the wealth of 
this Nation. It's the just thing to do, it's due you, and we're going 
to help you fight to get what is your due.''
  Sadly, John's political career has been marked by tragedy--the loss 
of his brother, Congressman Philip Burton, at the early age of 56 and 
the assassination of one of his dearest friends, San Francisco Mayor 
George Moscone at age 49. On the murder of Mayor Moscone, John wrote: 
``Those senseless events brought me face to face with grief, making me 
realize that friends are precious and life is all too short. We should 
remember to take time from our own activities to spend more time with 
those we care about, rather than so totally immerse ourselves in our 
jobs and businesses that we are always too busy to relate to people.''
  John's life has also been marked by great fulfillment--not only in 
his illustrious political career, but also in his family life. John's 
daughter, Kimiko Burton Cruz, is the light of his life. They have 
traveled a wonderful journey together, and John is now the proud 
grandfather of Juanito and Mikala. Kimi, her husband Emilio, and their 
children are guiding forces for John, and will be a major part of 
John's future.
  When you meet John Burton, you know you have met one of a kind. When 
you know John Burton, you have a friend. And, when you have John Burton 
as a friend, you know you have one of life's great treasures in hand.
  John may have left the State Senate, but he will continue to be a 
fierce leader in our State, and in our Nation, on behalf of those who 
need him most.
  Thank you, John, for your tireless efforts on behalf of so many in 
our country. May the wind be always at your back.

                          ____________________