Dad, I served: The autobiography of C.J. McLin, Jr

Dad, I Served: The Autobiography of C. J. McLin, Jr. in 1998 to is a tribute to the political life of the late Honorable C. J. McLin, Jr. While his sphere of influence grew significantly over a 22 year career in the Ohio General Assembly, C. J. McLin willfully remained in local and state politics: a courageous strategist, a tireless negotiator, and a tough-minded idealist who used his regional and national connections not for his own glory but for the welfare of the least of his constituents. His influence was sought not only by those he served, but by Democratic presidential and gubernatorial hopefuls alike-Kennedy, Johnson, Carter, Humphrey, Jesse Jackson, governors Gilligan and Celeste, all came by C. J. Despite the painful and frightening experiences of racism early in his life, C. J. chose the high ground, and was driven by concern for all people, regardless of race or status. Described as a workhorse rather than a show horse, he took great pride in being able to deliver to his constituents. to support that delivery system, C. J.'s vision led to the founding of the Black Elected Democrats of Ohio (BEDO) , which became the model for regional and national Black political caucuses. The title, Dad, I Served, aptly describes C. J.'s satisfaction and pride in having fulfilled the political dreams that escaped his father, C. J. McLin, Sr. Both of them lived and breathed politics. So much so, that as C. J. told his memoirs to Minnie Fells Johnson, his primary focus was politics. Minnie began taping C. J.'s inspiring story before he became seriously ill with cancer and continued the taping sessions until his death in 1988. In addition to C. J.'s personal story, the book also includes views of C. J. Through the Eyes of Others with chapters by his late mother, Rubie McLin and his daughter, Ohio Senator, Rhine L. McLin.