[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 162 (Monday, December 17, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1939]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                HONORING THE WORK OF MARK RIDLEY-THOMAS

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. KAREN BASS

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, December 17, 2012

  Ms. BASS of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the work 
of a distinguished public servant from Los Angeles, Mr. Mark Ridley-
Thomas. In 2008, Mr. Ridley-Thomas was overwhelmingly elected as the 
first African American man to the Los Angeles County Board of 
Supervisors. This past November, Mr. Ridley-Thomas' leadership was 
further acknowledged and he was unanimously approved by the Board to 
become the first African American man to chair the Los Angeles County 
Board of Supervisors.
  First elected to public office over twenty years ago, Mr. Ridley-
Thomas served with distinction on the Los Angeles City Council for 
nearly a dozen years. He later served two terms in the California State 
Assembly, where he chaired the Assembly Democratic Caucus. Thereafter, 
he served as a California State Senator where he chaired the 
Legislative Black Caucus and initiated unprecedented levels of 
cooperation and collaboration between the Black, Latino, and Asian-
Pacific Islander Legislative Caucuses.
  Mr. Ridley-Thomas is widely regarded for uniting civic engagement and 
government decision-making. In an effort to encourage neighborhood-
based advocacy and citizen leadership, Mr. Ridley-Thomas established 
the Empowerment Congress which served as a model and predecessor for 
the citywide Neighborhood Councils. Through education, engagement, and 
empowerment, Mr. Ridley-Thomas equipped and inspired his constituents 
to confront prevailing racial and economic disparities and improve 
community and public policy outcomes.
  Throughout his life, Mr. Ridley-Thomas has shown a dedication and 
passion for improving the health and wellness of communities by 
inspiring participatory engagement to provoke change. After earning a 
baccalaureate degree in Social Relations and a master's degree in 
Religious Studies, he further went on to receive his Ph.D. in Social 
Ethics from the University of Southern California focusing on Social 
Criticism and Social Change. He has devoted his life to the betterment 
of the people of Los Angeles County and has used his leadership to 
bring about effective change in Los Angeles County.
  In addition to this exemplary public service, Supervisor Ridley-
Thomas is deeply committed to his roles as father and husband. His wife 
Avis and twin sons, Sebastian and Sinclair, are shining examples of 
love and inspiration that Mr. Ridley-Thomas derives from his family and 
graciously shares with the community.
  Mr. Speaker, I am proud to have called Mr. Mark Ridley-Thomas a 
friend and partner in the fight for social and economic justice. He has 
left an indelible mark on Los Angeles, and continues to inspire my work 
in Congress and people of Los Angeles. It is a great honor to recognize 
his work here on the floor today.

                          ____________________