[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 23]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 31951]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                              JASON HODGE

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. BARBARA LEE

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, December 15, 2009

  Ms. LEE of California. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the 
exceptional life of Mr. Jason Hodge. A devoted son, brother, nephew, 
cousin, friend and colleague, Jason Hodge was taken from us too soon, 
on December 6, 2009. Today, let us find comfort in the joy he inspired 
and his wonderful spirit. He was a bright, confident, ambitious and 
kind man, who will be deeply missed.
  After graduating from Skyline High School in 1992, Jason Hodge was 
accepted to the University of California, Berkeley. He soon learned how 
to overcome obstacles, however, when the local college funding program 
meant to help pay for his UC Berkeley tuition ran out of money. 
Although this was a terrible shock to Jason, he decided to utilize 
ingenuity and diligence to create a solution.
  After attending Merritt College for two years, Jason was awarded a 
tuition scholarship from the Rotary Club of Oakland, enabling him to 
transfer to UC Berkeley as a junior. At this time, in addition to his 
studies and community involvement, Jason became the youngest person to 
ever win a seat on the Oakland School Board--he was only 21 years old.
  Jason was elected to the School Board in 1996, after he offered fresh 
ideas and a student perspective in bringing change to local education 
programs. Although he had suffered disappointment as a result of the 
failed ``Promise'' college funding program, he wanted to do his best to 
provide opportunity and change for a new generation of Oakland 
students. He helped administer programs to protect children as they 
walked to and from school, and to provide transit passes for a safer 
commute. Jason was one of the first voices to decry the state's lack of 
funding for local public education, a problem which our community faces 
in even greater severity today.
  Jason served two terms, and decided not to run for re-election to the 
board after the state took control of the district due to local 
financial troubles. For the last several years he served as the Vallejo 
City Unified School District spokesman, also serving as special 
assistant to Vallejo's superintendent and public information officer.
  Jason will be remembered as a warm, compassionate person who was very 
close to his family. In his free time, he made sure to spend time with 
the people he loved, and also recently fulfilled a lifelong dream of 
traveling cross-country by train. He leaves behind his mother, father, 
three siblings, extended family and many loving friends. Although these 
days are difficult, I pray that our fond memories of Jason will bring 
us comfort and strength as we celebrate his life.
  Today, California's 9th Congressional District salutes and honors a 
great human being, Mr. Jason Hodge. The contributions he made to others 
throughout his life are countless and precious. May his soul rest in 
peace.

                          ____________________