[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 69 (Friday, May 24, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E905]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     IN HONOR OF WILLIAM A. NEWSOM

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. NANCY PELOSI

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, May 22, 2002

  Ms. PELOSI. Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to Justice William A. 
Newsom as he is recognized by the San Francisco Forum as the ``San 
Franciscan of the Year.'' The San Francisco Forum, dedicated to 
preserving the cultural, social, and philosophical values of San 
Francisco, has made an excellent choice by selecting Bill Newsom for 
this award. A man with a kind heart, diverse interests, and great 
abilities, Bill embodies the best of San Francisco.
  A native of San Francisco, Bill earned his bachelor's degree in 
French Literature from the University of San Francisco. Following 
graduation, he served for two years on active duty as a Second 
Lieutenant in the U.S. Army Artillery and then for four years on 
reserve duty as a First Lieutenant. While in the Reserves, he completed 
his law degree at Stanford University and then stayed at Stanford to 
receive a Master of Arts degree in English Literature.
  His early career as a lawyer included time spent working as an 
Associate Attorney with Willick, Wheat, Geary, Adams, & Charles, with 
James Martin Maclnnis, and with Getty Oil Italiana, serving as in-house 
counsel for the corporation's office in Rome. His responsibilities to 
the Getty Family would later include service as a Trustee for several 
of the family's trusts and foundations. His current business, Newsom 
Associates, directs the personal business operation of his longtime 
friend, Gordon Getty.
  Bill became an Attorney at Law in Tahoe City, California. He 
specialized in environmental litigation, and his clients included the 
Sierra Club, the League to Save Lake Tahoe, and the Audubon Society. 
After eight years in private practice, he was elected to the Superior 
Court of Placer County where he served as a member of the Juvenile 
Justice Commission and coordinated the creation of a county-wide child 
abuse prevention program.
  His work in Placer County was highly regarded, and in 1978 he was 
appointed to be an Associate Justice of the California Court of Appeal 
at San Francisco. He was then elected twice to twelve-year terms. Bill 
served with distinction on the bench and earned a reputation for 
fairness, diligence, and his commitment to his principles.
  Bill has also been an outstanding environmental champion. He is a 
Trustee for the Environmental Defense Fund, Sierra Legal Defense, the 
Sierra Club Foundation, and the Earth Justice Legal Defense Fund. He is 
a Director of The Wildlife Conservancy and the Mountain Lion 
Foundation.
  Bill Newsom has been a wise judge, a trusted counselor, a great 
father, and a loyal friend. He is engaged in the issues of his day and 
always of service to his community. I am proud to join his daughter, 
Hillary, his son, Gavin, and the San Francisco Forum in saluting him.

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