[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 91 (Friday, July 14, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1240]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          TRIBUTE TO CALIFORNIA STATE SENATOR TERESA P. HUGHES

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JULIAN C. DIXON

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 13, 2000

  Mr. DIXON. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to have this opportunity to pay 
tribute to California State Senator Teresa P. Hughes, who is retiring 
at the end of this year concluding more than a quarter of century in 
distinguished public service to the citizens of California. During her 
illustrious career in the California Assembly and Senate, Teresa Hughes 
has authored and/or co-authored hundreds of important legislative 
initiatives resulting in improved standards of living for the citizens 
of our great State. I am, therefore, proud to publicly commend her for 
her exemplary service and to share this retrospective of her 
exceptional career with my colleagues.
  A native of New York City, Teresa Hughes received her bachelor of 
science in Physiology and Public Health and completed her graduate work 
in Sociology at Hunter College. She holds a master of arts in education 
administration from New York University, and earned a Ph.D. in 
education administration from the Claremont Graduate School in 
Claremont, CA. She is married to physician Dr. Frank E. Staggers, and 
is the proud mother of attorney Vincent Hughes and Los Angeles Superior 
Court Judge Deirdre Hughes.
  Dr. Teresa Hughes was elected to the California State Assembly in a 
special election on June 17, 1975. Over the next 17 years she authored 
numerous legislative initiatives, including measures establishing the 
Hughes Earthquake Safety Act of 1987; the Hughes-Hart Education Reform 
Act of 1983; and the Conflict Resolution and School Violence Reduction 
Program. In addition, she successfully fought for increased funding for 
research grants into the causes of Lupus and high blood pressure, 
diseases that disproportionately impact the African-American community.
  Owing largely to her keen leadership skills and legislative acumen, 
while serving in the Assembly she was selected by her peers to Chair 
the Committees on Education; Human Services; and Housing and Community 
Development. She served as the first chair of the California 
Legislative Black Caucus, as well as the California Women Legislators 
Caucus.
  In recognition of her distinguished contributions to public 
education, in 1988 the Los Angeles Unified School District honored 
then-Assemblywoman Hughes by renaming an elementary school in her name 
in the city of Cudahy, CA. The ``Teresa Hughes Elementary School,'' 
thus stands as a fitting legacy to her longtime, public and personal 
commitment to ensuring quality education for California's school 
children.
  For the past 6 years, State Senator Hughes has continued her strong 
advocacy for the citizens of California. Currently, she is the Chair of 
the Senate Committee on Public Employment and Retirement, and is a 
member of the Committees on Appropriations; Education; Energy, 
Utilities, and Communications; Government Organization; Health and 
Human Services; and Insurance.
  Mr. Speaker, for more than 25 years, Teresa Hughes has selflessly 
committed herself to improving the human condition for the people of 
the great state of California. She has carved out an enviable 
legislative record, and leaves a legacy for every young person to 
emulate who aspires to a career in public service. I am proud to call 
her my friend and to single her out for this special recognition here 
today.
  I have do doubt that she will continue to make contributions to our 
society, even as she prepares to set sail on a new course. On behalf of 
the citizens of my congressional district, I want to thank her for her 
service. I wish her and Frank, a future that is rich with good health 
and good fortune.

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