The publication is reproduced in full below:
HONORING THE LIFE OF JOHN KNOX
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HON. MARK DeSAULNIER
of california
in the house of representatives
Monday, April 5, 2021
Mr. DeSAULNIER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the life of John Knox.
John was raised in Richmond, California, where he attended John F. Kennedy High School. He graduated from the University of California, Berkeley and went on to obtain a Juris Doctorate from Berkeley Law in 1987. After completing his education, John began working as an attorney at Orrick and dedicated himself to his career as a public finance lawyer.
After six years, John was promoted to partner. He mastered the technical aspects of being a lawyer, but also understood the importance of developing strong business relationships. John built a local government practice throughout the Bay Area, which he transitioned to a municipal restructuring practice. John and his law partner guided cities through bankruptcy with John handling the public financing and restructuring of debt. In 2012, John and his partner helped Stockton, CA file for bankruptcy protection, which was the largest U.S. city bankruptcy filing that year. This work with cities earned them recognition as ``Attorneys of the Year'' by California Lawyer magazine in 2013. John received this same recognition, known as the CLAY award, in 2005 and 2017. In addition to this work, it was also John's idea to use Social Impact Bonds to revitalize distressed properties in Richmond and transition them to those in need of affordable housing.
In his personal life, John met his future wife, Aracely, in high school when they were partnered for a class project. John and Aracely married in 1981 and had four children. John also had a love of music, especially jazz, which he developed during childhood when he started playing piano. As a teenager and young adult, John played music professionally as part of a band. His friends and family remember his piano playing as effortless and always drawing a crowd.
Sadly, John passed away in February at the age of 64. Please join me in honoring John for his many contributions to our community.
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SOURCE: Congressional Record Vol. 167, No. 60
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