[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 7]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 9178]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




               A TRIBUTE TO THE LIFE OF ERNEST S. KINNEY

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. JIM COSTA

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, May 14, 2008

  Mr. COSTA. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the life of 
Ernest S. Kinney of Fresno, California who recently passed away at 63 
years of age. He leaves behind a loving wife, Marion, two children and 
several grandchildren.
  Mr. Kinney was born and raised in Bishop, California. In 1962 he went 
to Fresno State to play football, and in 1965 he served as student body 
president and President of the 16th State College Student President's 
Association. Upon graduating from Fresno State he joined the U.S. 
Marine Corp in 1968 and served as a Captain until 1971.
  After his military career Mr. Kinney attended the San Joaquin College 
of Law while working as a social worker during the day. He graduated as 
part of the school's second graduating class in 1975 and was inducted 
into the Hall of Fame in 2007.
  After only two and a half short years Ernest established his own 
private practice in 1978 and formed the Ernest S. Kinney Law 
Corporation. During more than three decades of practicing law he gained 
the respect of the entire community. He was tough and dedicated and 
admired by his colleagues, and he will be remembered mostly for his 
colorful character and his skills in the courtroom.
  Ernest enjoyed the simple things in life like going to football and 
basketball games with friends, going to the beach with his 
grandchildren and lunches with his friends. He had passion and he loved 
people.
  It goes without saying that Mr. Ernest Kinney was one of kind. His 
commitment to family and clients will forever live in the lives of the 
people he touched. His passion for justice under the law will be 
remembered by all who knew him. I am honored and humbled to join his 
family in celebrating the life of this amazing man who will never be 
forgotten.

                          ____________________