Karen Bass first Black woman to lead California legislature
Jason Lewis/Special to the NNPA from the Los Angeles Sentinel
Issue date: 6/1/08 Section: Politics
LOS ANGELES (NNPA) - The Inaugural Ceremony for the Honorable Karen R. Bass looked like a Hollywood event as many big names in California politics were on hand to celebrate Bass' appointment as the 67th Speaker of the California State Assembly.
After a lengthy introduction of the politicians on hand, four-time Emmy award winning actress Alfre Woodard opened the ceremony at the California State Capitol Building in Sacramento with a poem dedicated to Speaker Bass, who is the first African-American woman in the nation to serve in this powerful state elected role.
Congresswoman Diane Watson, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, and 66th Speaker of the California State Assembly Fabian Núñez gave speeches praising Bass' hard work and dedication.
Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, former San Francisco Mayor Willie Brown, and Los Angeles City Councilman Herb Wesson escorted Speaker Bass to the podium. After being sworn in, Assembly Speaker Bass gave a very moving speech.
"Members, as Mr. Speaker (Núñez) pointed out, I do feel the weight of history on my shoulders today - as the first African-American woman in U.S. history elected to head a state legislative body," Speaker Bass said.
"If we could only harness the power of our common humanity, I don't think there's anything we couldn't do for the people of this state. And members, they truly do need us now. People are losing their homes. People are losing their jobs. People are scared about the future in a state that should be all about hope for the future."
Speaker Bass pointed out the positives and negatives in California.
"We represent California, the eighth largest economy on the planet. If California was our own nation, we would be better off than Russia or India or Spain.
"More than 50,000 companies in our districts export products around the globe. Twenty percent of all U.S. trade - about a half a trillion dollars - passes in some way through California. Workers at our ports handle more than 40% of the nation's container cargo.
After a lengthy introduction of the politicians on hand, four-time Emmy award winning actress Alfre Woodard opened the ceremony at the California State Capitol Building in Sacramento with a poem dedicated to Speaker Bass, who is the first African-American woman in the nation to serve in this powerful state elected role.
Congresswoman Diane Watson, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, and 66th Speaker of the California State Assembly Fabian Núñez gave speeches praising Bass' hard work and dedication.
Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, former San Francisco Mayor Willie Brown, and Los Angeles City Councilman Herb Wesson escorted Speaker Bass to the podium. After being sworn in, Assembly Speaker Bass gave a very moving speech.
"Members, as Mr. Speaker (Núñez) pointed out, I do feel the weight of history on my shoulders today - as the first African-American woman in U.S. history elected to head a state legislative body," Speaker Bass said.
"If we could only harness the power of our common humanity, I don't think there's anything we couldn't do for the people of this state. And members, they truly do need us now. People are losing their homes. People are losing their jobs. People are scared about the future in a state that should be all about hope for the future."
Speaker Bass pointed out the positives and negatives in California.
"We represent California, the eighth largest economy on the planet. If California was our own nation, we would be better off than Russia or India or Spain.
"More than 50,000 companies in our districts export products around the globe. Twenty percent of all U.S. trade - about a half a trillion dollars - passes in some way through California. Workers at our ports handle more than 40% of the nation's container cargo.
Be the first to comment on this story