[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 64 (Tuesday, April 18, 2023)] [Extensions of Remarks] [Page E326] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
Date: 2023-04-18
Chamber: EXTENSIONS
Ms. ESHOO: I rise today to honor John Hart Clinton, Jr. who passed away on March 29th at the age of 78. Mr. Clinton was an integral part of the San Mateo County community through his work as Publisher of the San Mateo Times and his service on the San Mateo County Historical Association. John's life was a testament to his family's legacy of civic engagement and passion for San Mateo County. He studied at the University of Oregon and returned home to help run the San Mateo Times, which his mother's family, the Amphletts founded in 1889. His father, J. Hart Clinton was a partner at Morrison, Foerster, Holloway, Clinton and Clark in San Francisco, and he was appointed to lead the San Mateo Times in 1943. In the late 1960s, John met his wife Nina, and they had three children: Allison Rak, John Clinton, and Nicole Medina. His family describes him as loving, caring, and kind. Throughout his career, John always came home for dinner, and he loved spending time outdoors with his kids, pitching to his daughter Nicole or fishing with John. He supported his family's passions by learning about their fields of interest and being present at important events. John loved to make his family happy by dressing up in costume for parties and impressing guests with his sleight of hand. At the San Mateo Times, John developed an effective working relationship with the newspaper's staff who speak of his work ethic and willingness to go to bat for others. Former Managing Editor Michelle Carter credits John as one of the primary reasons she was promoted to lead the newspaper, thanks to his support of her candidacy with his father, J. Hart Clinton. John took on the role of Publisher in 1987, and he was the steward of the San Mateo Times through in-depth coverage of events such as the Loma Prieta Earthquake, several presidential elections, and the end of the Cold War. John Clinton loved his community's heritage and served on the board of the San Mateo County Historical Association. He led the transformation of the Old County Courthouse into the new home of the History Museum. Mitch Postel, President and CEO of the Historical Association cites John as integral to the Historical Association's mission, with the following words:  ``Telling the story of the current Peninsula was only an ability you had if you knew the past. He realized that and he knew that his family had created an institution in San Mateo County that was very important to the local people,'' Postel said. ``He wasn't into the local history thing just because he wanted to be on a board. He was into it because he believed in its importance and knew that his family was a part of that.''  John also volunteered with the nonprofits Caminar and the Peninsula Community Foundation, in addition to co-founding the United American Bank. He will be remembered as a deeply faith-filled man who helped the homeless, the incarcerated, and other underserved residents, always with an eye to how our systems could better help those in need. Mr. Speaker, I ask the entire House of Representatives to join me in honoring the life of an extraordinary and humble man, John Hall Clinton, Jr. San Mateo County is better and stronger, and our Nation is greater because of John and his superb work.