[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 47 (Wednesday, April 10, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E415-E416]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           HONORING CALIFORNIA STATE SENATOR NICHOLAS PETRIS

                                  _____
                                 

                            HON. BARBARA LEE

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, April 10, 2013

  Ms. LEE of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the 
exceptional life of California State Senator Nicholas Petris. Known 
throughout California politics as a brilliant democratic lawmaker with 
visionary foresight, Nicholas Petris was also renowned for his 
professionalism, speaking prowess, and tireless advocacy for the 
underserved. With his passing, we look to Senator Petris' political 
legacy and the outstanding quality of his life's work.
  Over a career that spanned four decades, Senator Petris was a hero to 
many--pioneering initiatives far ahead of their time in areas like 
environmental protection, mental health rights, and low-income housing. 
A child of Greek immigrants, Nicholas Petris was born in Oakland and 
educated in the Bay Area, graduating from the University of California, 
Berkeley and Stanford University Law School. He served in the Office of 
Strategic Service during World War II and practiced law for about a 
decade before being elected to the California Assembly in 1959.
  In 1965, as an assemblyman, he famously collaborated with State 
Senator Eugene McAteer to write the bill that created the San Francisco 
Bay Conservation and Development Commission, laying the foundation for 
the nonprofit Save The Bay to protect the resource from harmful 
development. He also worked to direct crucial resources to expand the 
University of California system.
  Upon being elected to the State Senate in 1967, he immediately worked 
to pass the Lanterman-Petris-Short Act, which prohibited involuntary 
commitment and made quality mental health services more accessible. 
Furthermore, he continued the decade fearlessly taking on controversial 
battles: challenging the internal-combustion engine and emission 
practices of the auto industry and writing laws to ban smoking on 
airplanes and public transportation. These efforts eventually helped to 
usher in an era of air quality and clean-fuel regulation in California 
that was often stricter than the national standard. He also introduced 
bills to ban DDT and control ballooning vehicle numbers, which, 
although unsuccessful, demonstrated remarkable prescience in the face 
of today's environmental challenges.
  As a passionate advocate for the poor, Senator Petris passed 
legislation that required redevelopment agencies to build housing for

[[Page E416]]

low-income families. He also championed tenants' and workers' rights, 
inspiring lawmakers in both major parties to listen to the voices of 
average Californians. All the while, he was a loving husband to his 
wife of 60 years, the late Anna Vlahos.
  On a personal note, I was incredibly honored to succeed Senator 
Petris upon his retirement due to term limits in 1996. He was a 
steadfast friend and provided wise counsel to me throughout my time in 
the California Legislature. Particularly, I will always remember 
Senator Petris and his beloved wife, Anna, taking me to dinner prior to 
my first visit to Greece. They provided me with invaluable travel tips 
for restaurants, shopping, and tourist attractions that made my first 
visit so exciting. Senator Petris' beloved Greece became one of my 
favorite countries to visit.
  Today, we mourn the loss of a wise political pioneer, a respected 
lawmaker, and an innovative thinker who helped shape the State of 
California as we know it. His legislative insight, legendary eloquence, 
and the camaraderie he inspired among his colleagues is unmatched. 
Senator Nicholas Petris' legacy continues to thrive among generations 
of advocates committed to championing progressive California policy as 
a model for environmental and social justice throughout the world. I 
offer my sincerest condolences to his surviving family and to the many 
friends and associates whose lives he touched over the course of his 
long and fruitful life. He will be deeply missed.

                          ____________________