Bill Text: CA AR109 | 2023-2024 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Relative to Willie L. Brown, Jr., Day.
Spectrum: Moderate Partisan Bill (Democrat 64-15)
Status: (Passed) 2024-06-24 - Read. Adopted. [AR109 Detail]
Download: California-2023-AR109-Introduced.html
CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE—
2023–2024 REGULAR SESSION
House Resolution
No. 109
| Introduced by Assembly Member Calderon (Principal coauthors: Assembly Members Bonta, Bryan, Gipson, Haney, Holden, Jackson, Jones-Sawyer, McCarty, McKinnor, Pellerin, Robert Rivas, Ting, Weber, and Wilson) (Principal coauthors: Senators Bradford and Smallwood-Cuevas) |
June 18, 2024 |
Relative to Willie L. Brown, Jr., Day.
LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST
HR 109, as introduced, Calderon.
Digest Key
Bill Text
WHEREAS, Willie Lewis Brown, Jr., was born in 1934 in Mineola, a racially segregated town in east Texas. After graduating from Mineola Colored High School, at 17 years of age, he moved to San Francisco to live with his uncle, Rembert “Itsie” Collins, who ran an underground casino; and
WHEREAS, In 1951, Willie L. Brown, Jr., graduated from San Francisco State University, and then earned a law degree from the University of California, Hastings College of the Law. He worked as a doorman, shoe salesman, and as part of a three-person janitorial crew to pay for his law school education. John Burton and George Moscone—giants in their own right in San Francisco politics—were the two other members of the janitorial crew; and
WHEREAS, As a lawyer, Willie L. Brown, Jr., represented many of San Francisco’s most needy and vulnerable residents and, in 1961, he organized and led a demonstration to protest housing discrimination in the city—protests that helped launch his first run for public office and his remarkable political career; and
WHEREAS, When first elected to the California State Assembly in 1964, Willie L. Brown, Jr., was one of only four African American Members in the Legislature. He served 30 years in the Assembly, becoming the first African American Speaker of the California State Assembly. In 1980, his improbable rise to become the Speaker was the result of his uncanny political judgment, strategic sense of timing, keen deal-making skills, and commitment to building relationships on both sides of the aisle, as Republican support helped secure him the Speakership; and
WHEREAS, Willie L. Brown, Jr., rose to national preeminence in 1972 at the Democratic National Convention when he gave an impassioned speech regarding the California delegation that concluded with him imploring the convention to “Give me back my delegation”; and
WHEREAS, His wide knowledge of public policy issues and political prowess were instrumental in negotiating and passing successful budgets even in the face of historic deficits, with him always prioritizing the most vulnerable and education funding. In 1992, he stood firm against then Governor Pete Wilson’s proposed cuts to school funding and won the longest budget standoff, at 64 days, in California’s history; and
WHEREAS, Willie L. Brown, Jr., authored landmark legislation that decriminalized homosexuality in California, addressed the HIV/AIDS epidemic, required California motorists to use seat belts, and, in the early 1980s, led efforts to divest state holdings in South Africa during the apartheid era; and
WHEREAS, In late 1992, Speaker Brown was asked by both the Los Angeles Unified School District School Board and United Teachers Los Angeles to mediate their collective bargaining stalemate. He held dozens of meetings and eventually negotiated a settlement in the spring of 1993. The Los Angeles City Council declared Willie L. Brown Day to commemorate the success; and
WHEREAS, In late 1993 into early 1994, Willie L. Brown, Jr., was the first Speaker to host the California Economic Summit in Los Angeles and the California Education Summit in San Francisco; and
WHEREAS, Willie L. Brown, Jr., was often characterized as a “Member’s Speaker,” rarely putting his own name on bills, usually giving them to members in competitive districts or to committee chairs, and helping behind the scenes. He valued the creation of effective teams, including selecting the right people for top staff positions, which laid the foundation for successful, productive legislative sessions; and
WHEREAS, As Speaker, Willie L. Brown, Jr., was always willing to “take the heat” for members in tough districts. The needs of members—friend or foe—were always a top priority. This leadership approach helped Brown achieve policy wins and budget agreements, even when faced with razor-thin Democratic majorities. His political mastery, toughness, and loyalty to and relationships with all members of the Legislature, and deep knowledge of legislative rules and house traditions ensured his success; and
WHEREAS, As Speaker, he was also known for his weekly press conferences—having once stated that “the only thing worse than being misquoted was not being talked about at all.” His Speakership was characterized by his devotion to and pride in the State Legislature as an institution, his meticulous attention to the inner workings of the Capitol—even spotting light bulbs that needed to be changed, and the “notorious” End of Session Bash annual fundraisers—themed the “hottest ticket in town”; and
WHEREAS, In 1995, Speaker Brown retired from the Assembly and was elected to two terms as Mayor of San Francisco. Known affectionately as “Da Mayor,” he presided over the renovation of San Francisco City Hall, the resurgence of the Fillmore District, and many other projects that shape the San Francisco skyline of today. He retired from public service in 2004, yet at 90 years of age remains a much sought after advisor, political commentator, and active member of the California State Bar; and
WHEREAS, In 2008, Willie L. Brown, Jr., established the Willie L. Brown, Jr. Institute on Politics and Public Service at San Francisco State University, dedicated to training future municipal administrators, and the western span of the Bay Bridge was named the Willie L. Brown, Jr. Bridge by the Legislature in 2013; and
WHEREAS, Willie L. Brown, Jr., is a renowned figure in California politics, having inspired and mentored other Assembly Speakers, state and national elected officials, and hundreds of legislative staff, but he has never forgotten his humble beginnings and where he came from. As an example, he successfully lobbied President Bill Clinton to place an Amtrak train stop in downtown Mineola; and
WHEREAS, Willie L. Brown, Jr., has been described by allies and foes alike as a larger than life personality, political genius, gifted orator, and brilliant intellect with an almost photographic memory. He is respected for his boundless energy, ability to bring laughter into a room and, of course, roundly recognized for his sophisticated sense of personal style. Willie L. Brown, Jr., is a revered figure in California history and arguably one of the most important California leaders in recent times; now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the Assembly of the State of California, That the Assembly recognizes Speaker Willie Brown, Jr.’s public service and dedication to the State of California; and be it further
Resolved, That the Assembly proclaims June 24, 2024, as Willie L. Brown, Jr., Day; and be it further
Resolved, That the Chief Clerk of the Assembly transmit copies of this resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.
