[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 158 (2012), Part 5]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 6071-6072]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                    A TRIBUTE TO THE LIFE OF ED HUNT

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. JIM COSTA

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                          Monday, May 7, 2012

  Mr. COSTA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the life of 
Edward Woodrow Hunt, who passed away on April 21, 2012 at the age of 
69. Mr. Hunt served as Fresno County's District Attorney for two 
decades, from 1982 to 2002. He was a passionate prosecutor, who sought 
justice for victims and was instrumental in the passage of California's 
``Three Strikes'' law.
  Mr. Hunt was born on July 27, 1942 in Huntsville, Alabama to Ed and 
Ethel Hunt. He demonstrated his dedication to public service early in 
his life, when he enlisted in the United States Air Force in 1961. He 
served proudly until 1964. His military work brought him to 
California's San Joaquin Valley, where he worked as an aircraft 
mechanic at the Castle Air Force Base in Atwater, California.
  A proud product of Valley schools, Mr. Hunt graduated from California 
State University, Fresno with a Bachelor's degree in Business 
Administration, and earned his law degree from the San Joaquin College 
of Law.
  Early in his career, Mr. Hunt worked as a Deputy District Attorney, 
where his love of public service grew. His zest for the law and service 
led him to seek election to become Fresno County's District Attorney.

[[Page 6072]]

  After a demanding 1982 election cycle, the voters selected Mr. Hunt 
as their District Attorney. As Fresno's Chief Law Enforcement Officer, 
Mr. Hunt hit the ground running, and worked diligently to take action 
against those who had violated the law. Not only was he an impeccable 
District Attorney, he was also an important partner in ensuring the 
well-being and safety of our Valley, and eventually the entire State.
  When two former California Assembly Members, myself and Mr. Bill 
Jones, co-authored legislation for our State's ``Three Strikes and 
You're Out,'' which eventually was placed on the ballot as an 
initiative by the people of California, Mr. Hunt was one of its 
staunchest supporters. California's ``Three Strikes'' law sought to 
increase sentences for repeat offenders in order to significantly 
decrease crime. Mr. Hunt recognized the value of the proposition and 
worked hard to earn the support of the California District Attorneys 
Association.
  An exceptional and savvy prosecutor, Mr. Hunt was truly a valuable 
asset for the people of Central California. During his tenure, he 
helped reduce crime rates, and established specialty prosecution teams, 
including the Multi Agency Gang Enforcement Consortium (MAGEC), a 
nationally recognized gang unit.
  He will be sorely missed by friends and family. He is survived by his 
wife, Linda; his daughter Tami; and stepson Steve Sirman.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring the life and 
service of Mr. Edward Woodrow Hunt. His service to our Valley will 
ensure that his legacy lives on for years to come.

                          ____________________