[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 10 (Tuesday, January 26, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E94]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    HONORING WILLIAM ``BILL'' CAVALA

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. BARBARA LEE

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, January 26, 2010

  Ms. LEE of California. Madam Speaker, I rise with my colleague, Mr. 
Garamendi, today to honor the exceptional life of Dr. Bill Cavala. 
Known throughout California politics as a brilliant democratic 
strategist and shrewd tactician, Bill Cavala was also renowned for his 
professionalism, teaching prowess and strong sense of loyalty. With his 
passing on December 26, 2009, we look to Bill Cavala's political legacy 
and the outstanding quality of his life's work.
  Born William Lester Cavala, February 23, 1943 to Lester and Margaret 
Cavala, Bill was the oldest of three sons. He grew up in Sacramento and 
Oakland, exercising early political interest in the Junior Statesmen 
youth organization. He went on to earn bachelor's, master's and 
doctorate degrees in political science from the University of 
California, Berkeley. Bill's political studies never ceased as he 
amassed an encyclopedic and institutional knowledge of state 
legislative districts, California voter patterns, campaigning tactics 
and reapportionment. For a time, Bill Cavala worked at the university 
as a professor of political science, but for much of his 40-year 
political career he employed his passion for hands-on, field 
experience.
  In 1971, Bill Cavala joined the staff of late Democratic Assemblyman 
Bob Crown, and worked with the Select Committee on Criminal Justice. 
Later, while teaching at UC Berkeley, he continued to perform 
constituent work within the offices of Assembly members John Miller, 
Ken Meade and Bill Lockyer, his former classmate. In 1981, Bill Cavala 
joined the staff of California State Assembly Speaker Willie Brown, Jr. 
as Senior Aide, where he served for 14 years. Bill Cavala was three-
time Director of the Speaker's Office of Majority Services and worked 
as deputy director under seven different directors. He served Minority 
Leader Richard Katz and other Speakers of the Assembly, including Cruz 
Bustamante, Antonio Villaraigosa, Robert Hertzberg and Herb Wesson, Jr.
  Bill Cavala fulfilled a crucial, behind-the-scenes role as he played 
a part in important decisions regarding redistricting, election law and 
the state budget. Throughout his career, he kept in mind the counsel of 
his much-admired mentors the late Congressman Philip Burton, wife Sala, 
and brother, John. Through their influence, Bill gained a deep 
appreciation for the role of public service and his potential to make 
meaningful societal contributions via the political process.
  Despite his hefty workload from the California State Legislature and 
his commitments at UC Berkeley, Bill Cavala had a role in every 
election cycle over a 40-year span. His deft and daring campaign 
approaches resulted in countless winning campaigns, most recently in 
the congressional elections of Representatives John Garamendi and 
Jackie Speier. Friends and colleagues on both sides of the aisle 
admired his singular focus and political passion. In addition to 
politics, Bill Cavala had a love for baseball, golf, fine wine, gourmet 
cooking, mentorship, travel and film.
  Today, we mourn the loss of a political pioneer, respected strategist 
and campaign mastermind who was considered by many the driving force in 
California politics for the past 40 years. Bill Cavala was a dear 
friend and he will be deeply missed by an extended group of loved ones, 
friends and colleagues. I offer my sincerest condolences to Bill's 
family and to the many friends and associates whose lives he has 
touched over the years.