[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 151 (2005), Part 11]
[Senate]
[Page 15181]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                 IN MEMORIAM TO ASSEMBLYMAN MIKE GORDON

 Mrs. BOXER. Mr. President, I take this opportunity to honor 
the memory of a most dedicated public servant, California Assemblyman 
Mike Gordon. Assemblyman Gordon passed away on June 25, 2005. He was 47 
years old.
  Assemblyman Gordon began his political career at the young age of 18 
as a voter registration coordinator for Assembly Speaker Leo McCarthy 
and later joined the staff of Assemblyman Bruce Young (D-Downey). In 
1982, Gordon began his 3-year tenure as executive director of the 
California Democratic Party and in 1995 co-founded Gordon and 
Schwenkmeyer, Inc., a successful polling and fundraising firm that is 
still operating today.
  Mike Gordon was elected to the El Segundo City Council in 1996 and as 
the city's mayor in 1998, 2000, and 2002. During this time, he focused 
on revitalizing El Segundo's downtown and helped increase funding for 
police, fire and recreation. As cofounder of the Los Angeles Air Force 
Base Alliance, he fought against the closure of the base and focused 
his attention on finding a solution for regional air and road traffic. 
Of all his great work as councilman and mayor, Mike's focus on 
education and funding for the El Segundo Unified School District made 
him a hero in the community.
  In 2004, Mike Gordon ran successfully for the 53rd California 
Assembly seat in the South Bay of Los Angeles County. Assemblyman 
Gordon introduced 22 bills during his first 2 months in the assembly 
and was appointed chair of the Assembly Committee on Veterans Affairs 
and as the body's representative to California's Milton Marks Little 
Hoover Commission. His strong leadership skills and passion for public 
service were instrumental in his early success in the assembly.
  Assemblyman Mike Gordon knew firsthand the concerns and needs of his 
community and dedicated his life to serving the citizens of Southern 
California. He grew up in La Mirada, CA where he attended Neff High 
School and in 1979 graduated from California State University, 
Fullerton with a bachelor's degree in political science. Whether as 
mayor or assemblyman, he used his knowledge, influence, and skills to 
better the lives of his constituents.
  Assemblyman Gordon is survived by his wife Denise and children, Ryan, 
Erika, Amanda, and Gordy. He was a deeply loved member of both the 
California State Legislature and the South Bay community for his 
willingness to champion the causes of those he represented. He will be 
missed by all who knew him.

                          ____________________