PASADENA (CNS) - Former state Treasurer Matt Fong, also an ex-vice
chairman of the state Board of Equalization and a one-time U.S. Senate
candidate, died today in Pasadena after a battle with cancer.
Fong, 57, was the son of former Secretary of State March Fong Eu and
served as treasurer from 1995-99. He ran unsuccessfully against Sen. Barbara
Boxer, D-Calif., in 1998.
``Matt Fong has had a distinguished career of public service in
California and I am very sorry to hear of his passing,' Boxer said. ``In our
Senate race years ago, Matt was a strong competitor and we debated
passionately, but we always had respect for one another. He will be missed and
I send my deepest condolences to his family.'
A native of Oakland, Fong attended the Air Force Academy and earned
degrees from both Pepperdine University and Southwestern University School of
Law. He ran unsuccessfully for state controller in 1990, losing to incumbent
Gray Davis. After being appointed to the Board of Equalization by Gov. Pete
Wilson, Fong defeated Democrat Phil Angelides to become state treasurer in
1994. Angelides would come back to defeat Fong four years later.
``Matt Fong lived a life of service,' Gov. Jerry Brown said. ``He
served his country as an Air Force reservist and, later, he served the people
of California as their treasurer. It is with great sadness that Anne and I
learned of his passing. On behalf of all Californians, I wish to express
gratitude for the service that Mr. Fong provided to our great state during his
term as treasurer. Our thoughts are with his wife, Paula, and their two
children, Jade and Matthew, during this time.'
Los Angeles County Supervisor Don Knabe called Fong ``a model public
servant, principled and committed to representing the peoples' best interest.'
Supervisor Mike Antonovich said he helped Fong switch from a Democrat to
a Republican ``because of his strong beliefs in the principles of Abraham
Lincoln and Ronald Reagan -- family, faith, fiscal responsibility and a strong
defense.'