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[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E913-E914]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
HONORING SENATOR BILL MONNING
_____
HON. JIMMY PANETTA
of california
in the house of representatives
Thursday, October 1, 2020
Mr. PANETTA. Madam Speaker, I ride today to honor Bill Monning, the
retiring Senator representing the 17th Senate District of California,
for his career in advocacy and public service and his commitment to
serving the people of the central coast of California. His leadership
has improved the lives of many, and I am honored to acknowledge this
legacy today.
Senator Monning was born in Culver City, California, in 1951 and
raised in Pasadena. After finishing high school at Flintridge
Preparatory School, where he excelled as an athlete, Monning attended
college at the University of California, Berkeley. Following his
graduation, he attained his Juris Doctorate from the University of San
Francisco. His time spent in the Bay Area in the 1970s led him to
commit himself to a career of advocating for and serving others.
After passing the California Bar Examination, Senator Monning worked
as an attorney protecting the rights of migrant farm workers
[[Page E914]]
at the United Farm Workers of America and the Migrant Farm Worker
Project at California Rural Legal Assistance. Monning served as the
Director of the Salvadoran Medical Relief Fund from 1982 through 1987
and was the Executive Director of the Nobel Peace Prize winning
organization International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War
from 1987 through 1991. Monning then went on to serve as a professor at
the Monterey College of Law and Monterey Institute of International
Studies and president and co-founder of Global Majority, Inc., an
organization committed to education, training and advocacy in the field
of non-violent conflict resolution.
Senator Monning's service in the California State Legislature began
with his election as Assemblymember for the 27th Assembly District,
representing parts of Monterey, Santa Cruz, and Santa Clara counties
from 2008 to 2012. In 2012, he was elected Senator of the 17th Senate
District, which includes all of San Luis Obispo and Santa Cruz counties
and portions of Monterey and Santa Clara counties. He was reelected in
2016 and served as Senate Majority Leader from 2015 through 2018.
Currently, Monning serves as Vice Chair of the Joint Committee on Rules
and is a member of the Joint Legislative Audit Committee and the Senate
Committees on Budget, Health, Judiciary, Natural Resources and Water,
and Rules. He also represents the Senate on the California Air
Resources Board. Throughout his time as a legislator, he has been a
leader in protecting natural resources and the environment, improving
the health of all Californians, and serving veterans.
As Senator Monning prepares to celebrate his retirement, I am proud
to commend him on his lifetime of serving others. I have no doubt he
will enjoy spending this time with his wife, Dr. Dana T. Kent, his two
children, and three grandchildren. On behalf of Central Coast
residents, I ask my colleagues to join me in thanking Senator Bill
Monning for his public service and wishing him a long and healthy
retirement.
____________________