[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 185 (Tuesday, November 19, 2019)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1467-E1468]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    LONGEST-SERVING CALIFORNIA ASSEMBLY CHIEF CLERK E. DOTSON WILSON

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. KAREN BASS

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, November 19, 2019

  Ms. BASS. Madam Speaker, I would like to recognize Mr. E. Dotson 
Wilson, retiring after a 40-year career with the California State 
Assembly, the longest-serving Chief Clerk in the history of that body.
  Over his long career, Mr. Wilson has proven his passion for service 
and for improving governance. We all know that the smooth functioning 
of the people's elected representatives depends on a well-trained staff 
operating at a leadership level within the Capitol. Mr. Wilson made it 
his mission to assure that, whatever the political discussion, 
legislators had what they needed to do their jobs. The fact that he has 
been unanimously affirmed as Chief Clerk for every Assembly session 
since his selection for the post in 1992 is a testament to the esteem 
in which he has been held by the 482 different legislators who have 
served during his 27-year tenure.
  The Chief Clerk serves as the chief parliamentarian of the 80-member 
California Assembly and is responsible for publishing the official 
documents of the House; and keeping all the bills, papers, and records 
of the proceedings of the Assembly. Mr. Wilson not only produced 
legislative materials to assist Members and legislative staff, but he 
created training videos, annotated guides and a book on California's 
Legislature. These materials are invaluable both to new legislators and 
to everyone wishing to understand how their government works.
  Prior to serving as the Chief Clerk, Mr. Wilson served under Assembly 
Speaker Willie L. Brown Jr., first as an Assembly Fellow from October 
1979 to 1980, then as his Special Assistant. Speaker Brown nominated 
Mr. Wilson to be Chief Clerk of the Assembly in 1992, and he was 
reelected 14 times.
  Mr. Wilson saw first-hand the impact of housing discrimination and 
other injustices growing up in the Bay Area city of Albany, California. 
The trials he saw his family endure propelled him to seek change, and 
resulted in a lifetime of public service. Mr. Wilson has worked on a 
wide range of legislative issues over his long career, including 
housing, public employees, retirement and labor. He took special 
interest in supporting academic success for California's youth, 
including student athletes.
  Mr. Wilson exemplifies what it means to be a public servant. I 
congratulate him on his long service and his well-deserved retirement. 
It was an honor to serve alongside Mr. Wilson during my time in the 
Assembly.

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