[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 26 (Monday, February 12, 2007)]
[Senate]
[Page S1846]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      IN MEMORY OF LEO T. McCARTHY

 Mrs. Boxer. Mr. President, today I ask my colleagues to honor 
the memory of one of California's great lawmakers and dedicated public 
servants, former California Lieutenant Governor and State Assembly 
Speaker Leo T. McCarthy. Leo passed away in San Francisco on February 
5, 2007 at the age of 76. He leaves behind a legacy of commitment to 
California.
  Leo was born in Auckland, New Zealand in 1930. When he was 3, his 
family moved to San Francisco's Mission District. Leo served in the 
Korean war, in the intelligence unit of the Strategic Air Command. He 
studied history at the University of San Francisco, USF, before 
entering USF law school. Leo began his political career through work on 
various political campaigns during law school.
  Leo was first elected to the San Francisco Board of Supervisors in 
1963, when at the age of 33, he became the youngest supervisor in San 
Francisco history. One of his enduring legacies is the creation of the 
San Francisco Human Rights Commission. He also protected San 
Francisco's precious open spaces. During this time, he was appointed by 
then Governor Edmund ``Pat'' Brown to the Commission on Aging, where he 
demonstrated his devotion to aging issues which continued throughout 
his career.
  He was elected to the California State Assembly in 1968 and became 
the powerful Speaker of the Assembly in 1974. He helped bring more 
openness and efficiency to the legislature. He also promoted gay rights 
and coastal protection.
  Leo served three terms as lieutenant governor from 1983-1995. As 
lieutenant Governor, he was active with the State Lands Commission and 
public education through the University of California. Lieutenant 
Governor McCarthy helped coordinate California's disaster relief 
efforts following the Loma Prieta earthquake. As a member of Congress, 
I was proud to work with Leo on this disaster relief effort. I am so 
pleased that our paths crossed many times over the years on so many 
important issues.
  Leo retired from politics in 1994. He helped establish the Leo T. 
McCarthy Center for Public Service and the Common Good at USF in 2002. 
The Center ``seeks to inspire and equip students for lives and careers 
of ethical public service and serving others.'' The Center speaks 
volumes about Leo's lifelong commitment to open government and public 
service.
  Leo McCarthy was a highly respected and beloved political leader in 
California. My heart goes out to Leo's family and friends. He will be 
missed by all who knew him. We take comfort in knowing that future 
generations will benefit from his spirit, his vision, and his 
leadership. He is survived by his wife Jackie; 4 children, Sharon, 
Conna, Adam and Niall; and his 11 grandchildren.

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