[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 136 (Tuesday, September 3, 2024)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E858]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         HONORING ELLEN CORBETT

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. ERIC SWALWELL

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, September 3, 2024

  Mr. SWALWELL. Mr. Speaker, I rise along with my colleagues, 
Congresswoman Barbara Lee and Congressman Mark DeSaulnier, to recognize 
former California State Senate Majority Leader, San Leandro Mayor, and 
East Bay Regional Parks Director, Ellen Corbett, on the occasion of her 
passing on Friday, August 9, 2024, at the age of 69.
  Born in Oakland in 1954, Ellen was raised in San Leandro. She 
attended Chabot College, California State University, Hayward, and the 
University of California, Davis, earning a bachelor's degree in 
political science before earning her law degree from the University of 
the Pacific's McGeorge School of Law.
  Ellen began her career as an attorney, community college professor, 
and civic activist before seeking public office in 1990 on the San 
Leandro City Council. Four years later, in 1994, she became San 
Leandro's first-ever directly elected female mayor.
  In 1998, Ellen was elected to the State Assembly, representing 
California's 19th district in the chamber until her term expired in 
2004. In 2006, she began her time at the California State Senate, 
representing District 10 until 2014. Ellen continued to blaze trails in 
the Senate as only the second woman ever to serve as the California 
Senate majority leader for 4 years.
  Under her tenure, Majority Leader Corbett authored over 160 bills 
that were signed into law tackling issues faced by everyday 
Californians. Those issues included infrastructure for public schools, 
expanding EV charging, child safety, marriage equality, and the 
California Homeowner Bill of Rights.
  Continuing her career in public service, Ellen was elected to the 
East Bay Regional Parks District Board of Directors, representing Ward 
4 until her passing. In this position, she was a fierce advocate for 
accessible open space. Serving as President of the Board, the Parks 
were in her capable hands during the first year of the pandemic.
  Throughout her life and career, Ellen was a tireless advocate for the 
communities she represented. She was a fierce environmentalist and a 
serial breaker of glass ceilings. Ellen was a person of consequence 
with a genuinely meaningful public service career. Our communities will 
deeply miss her presence. We send our deepest condolences to her son 
Ryan, as well as her other surviving family, friends, and former staff 
who were lucky to have her as their boss and mentor.

                          ____________________