[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 180 (Wednesday, November 14, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1520]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        TRIBUTE TO CRAIG BIDDLE

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. KEN CALVERT

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, November 14, 2018

  Mr. CALVERT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor and pay tribute to 
former California State Senator Craig Biddle, who passed away on 
Sunday, September 23, 2018 in Florida. Craig served the people of 
California and Riverside County in many ways throughout his life and he 
will be deeply missed.
  While growing up, Craig developed a deep passion for playing the 
French horn. He even spent three summers at the Interlochen Center for 
the Arts in Michigan and intended to spend his life as a musician. 
Then, while attending Occidental College, he turned his focus and 
attention to the law. He eventually sold his horn to pay for the first 
semester of law school at USC. After graduating, he moved from South 
Pasadena to Riverside, where he became a deputy district attorney. He 
served there four years, before becoming a public defender.
  Craig decided to leap into politics and had his sights set on 
becoming district attorney. In an effort to bolster his name 
recognition for a future district attorney campaign, he decided to run 
for the California Assembly as a Republican. In an unexpected turn of 
events, Craig wound up winning that race and was elected to serve in 
the Assembly. Craig would later become the Assembly majority leader 
from 1969 to 1971. He then resigned to run for the state Senate. Craig 
won that race and represented the Riverside area in the Senate for one 
term. Throughout his legislative career, Craig was an effective 
advocate for laws requiring the use of breathalyzer tests for suspected 
drunk drivers and for clean air policies that required cars to undergo 
smog checks. After leaving office, Craig started a law firm in 
Sacramento, which he ran before retiring in 1995.
  Craig is survived by his wife Patricia Kelley and three children, 
Eric, Nancy and Lisa Biddle Canez. He had four grandchildren. I want to 
extend my heartfelt condolences to the Biddle family, his friends, and 
everyone who had the pleasure of knowing him. Although Craig may be 
gone, the many life-changing contributions he made in Riverside County 
and throughout California will have a lasting impact.

                          ____________________