u The story of Brother who counsel nonWILLIE L. BROWN, JR., is an involvement' During my 16 ideal complement to this ediyears as your Assemblyman, tion of The Sphinx - which however, I have remained honors outstanding college active In the causes and proBrothers. At the 1953 grams l believe in. Regardless General Convention, he was of how controversial or elected to the Executive explosive the issue, you have Council of Alpha Phi Alpha as always known where I stood. a Lay Member - one of five College Brothers then serving Few, if any, would take issue on the Fraternity's Board of with that assessment. Directors. His leadership has in addition to politics, continued unabated since Brother Brown has given his that time . . . and he now time willingly to many presides over the legislature organizations and groups. He is of the State of California. national board member of Brother Brown became Planned Parenthood AssociaSpeaker of the Assembly on tion, a member of the NAACP, December 1,1980. He is the Phi Alpha Delta Law Fraternity, first Black ever to hold that Alpha Phi Alpha, Baptist position. Ministers union, the Boy First elected to the CaliforScouts of America, and the nia State Assembly in 1964, California Club. he represents the 17th Hard work has been Brown's Assembly District - one of the constant companion since childmost varied in San Francisco hood. He was born March 20, County, including Haight1934, in Mineola, Texas, to Ashbury, Pacific Heights and a poor family. Educated in a Polk van Ness Gulch. one-room schoolhouse, Willie Those who work with Willie ROTHER WILLIE B R O W N spent his summers harvesting Brown describe him as a witty, crops, in 1951, he left Texas bright, sometimes brash, for San Francisco where, worksometimes charming, always off ing as a janitor, shoe salescaring legislator who works hard man, and playground for the people of San Francisco and the A Democrat, he is the author of director - he put himself through San State. For these reasons, he has been a several landmark bills including legislaFrancisco State College and Hastings leader in the Assembly for most of his tion establishing the Child Health College of Law. He is now a member of 16 years in the Legislature. He most Disabilities Program, the first statethe Alumni Association Executive recently was Assembly Majority Floor funded urban park and legislation Committee of San Francisco state and is Leader and Chair of the California Legisprohibiting penalties for sexual acts the permanent president of his law class lative Black Caucus. Prior to that, he between consenting adults. of 1958. He was admitted to the served as Chair of the influential Speaker Brown is a strong and vocal California Bar in 1959 and practices law Revenue and Taxation committee, as advocate for improved education, better in San Francisco. Democratic Whip and as Chair of the care for the elderly and environmental Willie Brown, who is married and the Governmental Efficiency and Economy protection. He has also introduced and father of two daughters has fought the Committee. supported legislation pertaining to good fight - and has been rewarded by Brother Brown is also currently a consumer education, workers' compensahis constituents by being consistently remember of the Board of Regents of the tion, health, housing, penal reform and elected with more than 60% of the university of California and a former civil rights. vote. The first Black from San FranChair of the Black American Political But what no summary of legislative cisco ever elected to the California State Association of California. positions can adequately capture is the Legislature, he ranks only behind in 1980 and 1972 Brother Brown codepth of speaker Brown's commitment Congressman Gus Hawkins in length of chaired the California delegation to the to public service. Beyond doubt, he is an service for current Black elected officials National Democratic Convention and in "activist.'' Speaking to his constituents, in California. 1972 he co-chaired the California delega he remarked "Many times my participaAnd by all indications... we'll all be tion to the National Black Political tion in the public and political life of hearing a lot more about Brother Willie Convention in Gary, Indiana. San Francisco has run contrary to those L. Brown. Jr. - an Alpha Man!
MR. SPEAKER!
ides over ttie Legislature trie S t a t e off Callffornia
The Sphinx/Summer 1981
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