Candidate for
Council Member; City of Los Angeles; District 10

Herb J. Wesson, Jr. has been serving the 10th Los Angeles City Council District and the people of Los Angeles for nearly 20 years. He started as the Chief of Staff of long-time 10th District Councilmember Nate Holden, then as Chief of Staff to Supervisor Yvonne Brathwaite Burke, then as the elected representative of the 47th State Assembly District, and now as a Special Assistant to Supervisor Burke. While serving in the Assembly, he was unanimously elected as the 65th Speaker of the Assembly and served in that capacity from February 2002 until February 2004. He was the second African American to be elected Speaker of the California State Assembly, and one of only five African Americans in the nation to serve as Speaker of a state legislature. In 2003 and 2004 Ebony Magazine named him one of the 100+ Most Influential Black Americans.

A perpetual optimist who thrives on challenges, Wesson presided over significant legislative successes during one of the most difficult times in the state's history. During his speakership, the state weathered through its most serious fiscal crisis in decades as well as an unprecedented gubernatorial recall election. These challenges, however, did not stop Herb Wesson from shepherding precedent-setting and national breakthrough legislation in education, the environment, and health care. And he was able to guide his house in passing a balanced budget during the worst fiscal downturn in recent memory.

Inspired by his strong commitment to protect the most vulnerable--and to always remember to serve the people of Los Angeles--Wesson played a key role in the passage of two critical bond measures: (1) the largest school construction bond in state history to make sure all California classrooms were the learning centers of the 21st century; and (2) a housing bond to make home ownership possible for thousands of families. He also played a key role in efforts to provide health care coverage for the six million uninsured Californians by requiring employers to provide health insurance to their employees.

Over the term of his speakership, Herb Wesson continually sought to assist the men and women who put their lives on the line to keep us safe while ensuring that all Californians' civil rights are protected. He broke a political logjam that had halted new veterans' home construction in California for years and brokered a compromise that will result in the building of five new homes for aging veterans. One of the new homes will be located in Los Angeles and it will be the first home to have a wing dedicated to the care of veterans with Alzheimer's disease or dementia.

In response to the national tragedy that occurred on September 11, 2001, he created the September 11 California Memorial License Plate, the most successful dedicated license plate in the history of California. Funds raised from the sale of the plate support anti-terrorism programs and provide assistance to the survivors of the California victims of the attack.

An ardent champion of civil justice and human rights, Herb Wesson created the Speaker's Commission on Police Conduct with the aim of improving law enforcement policies and procedures to ensure the safety and civil rights of all Californians. He also authorized the first Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender Legislative Caucus in the California State Legislature so that issues affecting this community can be heard.

Herb Wesson has been widely recognized for his leadership in the 2002 enactment of pioneering legislation to limit greenhouse gas emissions from motor vehicles, a known contributor to global warming. That landmark legislation garnered accolades for California from across the nation and around the world, and has become a model for other states and countries.

In July 2003, then-Speaker Wesson again demonstrated leadership in ending a month-long budget stalemate by holding the State Assembly in session until he gathered the necessary two-thirds vote for a state budget. That session lasted 29 hours--the longest single State Assembly session ever held--but as it went through the night, compromise was reached and a budget passed. The consensus from inside and outside of the Capitol was that the budget stalemate would have gone on indefinitely, potentially shutting down state government, had Wesson not have the courage to keep the Assembly in session until a budget was approved.

The recall of a sitting Governor in 2003 proved another major challenge for legislators in Sacramento, especially those legislators of a different party than the newly elected Arnold Schwarzenegger. But with his uncanny ability to bring people together, Herb Wesson forged a bipartisan compromise between the Legislature and Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger to place on the March 2004 ballot two measures that address the Governor's concerns and yet protected the most vulnerable Californians: a proposal to sell debt retirement bonds (Proposition 57) and a constitutional balanced budget requirement (Proposition 58). The agreement, a product of face-to-face negotiations between Wesson and the then-newly elected Governor, was hailed as a breakthrough in bipartisanship in the Capitol and capped Wesson's term as Speaker. The voters overwhelmingly approved both measures in March 2004.

Herb Wesson's own legislative portfolio summarizes the issues that have always been important to him. He has authored legislation to examine pay inequities between women and men in state jobs; ensure that children get a good start in school through mandatory kindergarten attendance; improve literacy of middle school children; increase funding for domestic violence counseling and teen pregnancy prevention programs; establish an early intervention system for law enforcement officers' behavior problems; create a whistleblower protection program for peace officers; ensure that backstretch workers at California's racetracks receive collective bargaining rights and adequate housing; and implement the first alcohol license fee increase since 1978, which he negotiated, to fully fund alcohol law enforcement programs.

A native of Cleveland, Ohio, Wesson is the son of blue-collar parents who taught him the value of hard work and persistence. Prior to his turn to politics, he worked at a variety of jobs, from machinery maintenance to sales. Following his move to California, however, a new career in politics opened to him through his involvement in Nate Holden's campaign to become a member of congress. Holden lost that race, but a new career path was set for Herb Wesson.

In 1999, he fulfilled a promise to his family and completed his BA in History from Lincoln University in Pennsylvania--nearly 30 years after an illness in the family prevented him from finishing his senior year.

In recognition of his extensive service to the community, Herb Wesson has received various awards. These include (partial listing):

· American Legion, 2004 & 2002 Legislator of the Year Award

· California Teachers Association, 2004 Legislator of the Year Award

· California/Nevada Community Action Partnership, 2004 Community Action Partner

· The Congress of California Seniors, 2004 Friends of Seniors Award

· Ebony Magazine, 100+ Most Influential Black Americans(2003 and 2004)

· California Association for the Education of Young Children, 2003 Commitment to Children Award

· Enshrined into the "Promenade of Prominence" - Walk of Fame (2003), Los Angeles

· FAME Renaissance, 2003 Political Partner Award

· California League of Conservation Voters, 2003 Environmental Hero Award

· Greater L.A. African-American Chamber of Commerce, 2003 Julian Dixon Public Service Award

· Black American Political Association of California, 2003 Political & Religious Hall of Fame Award

· Consumer Attorneys Association of L.A., 2003 George Moscone Memorial Award

· Los Angeles Council of Churches, 2003 Outstanding Community Service Award

· NAACP Sacramento Branch, 2003 "Having Our Say" Award

· Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity (Beta Psi Lamda Chapter), 2003 Distinguished Service Award

· Ronald H. Brown Democratic Club, 2003 Golden Ladder Award

· National Black Caucus of State Legislators Labor Roundtable, 2003 Appreciation Award

· Veterans of Foreign Wars, 2002-03 Legislator of the Year Award

· California Gay Veterans Memorial Association, 2003 Outstanding Service Award

· Bluewater Network, 2002 Global Warming Leadership Award

· Asian and Pacific Islander's California Action Network, 2002 Civil Rights Award

· California Association of County Veterans Service Officers, 2002 Legislator of the Year

· California Association of Black Lawyers, 2002 Legislator of the Year Award

· Environmental Caucus of the California Democratic Party, 2002 Legislator of the Year

· New Frontier Democratic Club, 2002 Political Achievement Award

· California Alliance for Pride and Equality, 2002 Crusader State Leadership Award

· CAPE Christopher Street West 2002 George Moscone Award

· Greater Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce, Public Service Award

· The Agape Foundation, Combating Domestic Violence Honoree

· Planned Parenthood Los Angeles, 2001 Legislator of the Year Award

· National Women's Political Caucus, 2001 Good Guy Award

· Stonewall Democratic Club, 2000 Public Official Award

· Mid-City Chamber of Commerce, 1996 Outstanding Community Service Award

· Concerned Black Women, 1996 Living Legend Award

· Young People for Young People, 1990 Man of the Year

Herb Wesson is married to Fabian Wesson. They have four sons: Douglas, P.J. Herb III, and Justin.