[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 74 (Wednesday, May 11, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E677]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 LONG BEACH LOSES LEGEND, MARILYN GREEN

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. ALAN S. LOWENTHAL

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, May 11, 2016

  Mr. LOWENTHAL. Mr. Speaker, it is with considerable sadness and a 
profound sense of loss that I report that the Long Beach community lost 
a dear friend and a dedicated public servant on the passing of Marilyn 
Green on October 29, 2015. Marilyn--with long-time professional partner 
Dick Cantrell--founded the law firm of Cantrell Green--now Cantrell 
Green Pekich Cruz & McCort--in 1971.
   Marilyn was also the heart and soul of the progressive movement in 
Long Beach. She was an advocate, mentor, and friend to several 
generations of progressive leaders in Long Beach. I count myself lucky 
to have had her friendship and counsel over the years.
   A native of Newark, New Jersey, Marilyn eventually made her way to 
Stanford Law School. While attending as one of only two female students 
in her class, she met and married journalist Terence Green.
   Determined to finish what she started, she sat for the California 
Bar exam in 1951 and was admitted to practice law in January, 1952, 
just one month before her first son, Alan, was born. She used to recall 
how odd it felt walking to take her oath while almost 9 months 
pregnant.
   Terry's job brought them to Playa del Rey and, eventually, to the 
Long Beach area that would become their home for well over 50 years.
   Like many women of her generation, Marilyn found herself unwelcome 
in many law firms due to her gender and was limited to family law 
practice. Knowing it was a matter of time before she found the right 
job, she settled into family law. She used to joke that, as a young 
lawyer, she had no idea how to create a safe exit strategy while 
interviewing a less-than-savory character. During one such interview, 
she decided ``the case was much too complicated'' and referred the 
person to the FBI. She later told us ``From then on, I decided to keep 
the FBI's number in my top drawer, but think I certainly wore out my 
welcome!''
   Marilyn joined the prestigious Levy & Van Bourg firm as an 
applicant's attorney in Workers' Compensation in the late 1960s early 
1970s.
   When she and Richard Cantrell first opened Cantrell and Green in 
1971, their first office was a public phone booth on the corner of 
Broadway and Pine Avenue in downtown Long Beach. Later, good friend and 
union official Tony Rodriguez from the United Rubber Workers Union, 
would offer them a small office at his Local.
   Marilyn and Richard would go on to build Cantrell and Green into one 
of the most well-known and respected workers' compensation firms in 
Southern California. Their practice also included social security, 
labor law, and personal injury claims.
   Not only did Marilyn Green talk the talk, she walked the walk. When 
asked why she would settle in a practice not as lucrative as other 
areas of practice, Marilyn said ``If I wanted to make money, I would 
never have chosen a workers' compensation practice. However, I love and 
believe in what I do and that is why I became a lawyer.''
   Over the years, Marilyn was honored by many organizations, including 
being named as Long Beach Bar Association Lawyer of the Year. She was a 
true professional in her work, a good friend to many, and a powerful 
force for good in our community who will be sorely missed.

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