Rumford’s bill led to the establishment of California’s Fair Employment Practices Commission. He passed the Fair Employment Practices Act of 1959 that outlawed discrimination in employment. He applied his knowledge in the areas of housing, health, and narcotics legislation. A graduate of UC San Francisco School of Pharmacy and certified pharmacist, Rumford also earned a BA in Political Science and MA in Public Administration, both from UC Berkeley. William Byron Rumford was born in 1908 in Courtland, Arizona. He retired from the House of Representatives in 1991, and died in 2007, at the age of 100.

‘Gus’ Hawkins served more than 20-years in the California State Assembly, and was subsequently elected to the U.S. His legislative agenda reflected the importance he placed on education, civil rights, organized labor and fair practices in employment and housing. He chaired the Assembly’s powerful Rules Committee during his tenure in the Legislature. A graduate of UCLA and a Democratic Party member from Los Angeles, was elected to the California State Assembly in 1934, succeeding Frederick M. He died in 1952, at the age of 72.Īugustus Freeman ‘Gus’ Hawkins, was born Augin Shreveport, Louisiana. He served 16-years in the California State Assembly from 1918 to 1934. Roberts sponsored California’s early civil rights legislation and authored a bill to establish UCLA. A member of the Republican Party representing Los Angeles, he was the great grandson of Sally Hemmings and is believed to be the great grandson of President Thomas Jefferson. He was a newspaper owner, editor, educator and business owner, and California’s first known African American state legislator. Roberts – California's First African American Legislatorįrederick Madison Roberts, was born Septemin Chillicothe, Ohio.

Compton city council members