Al Alquist
 | This article needs additional citations for verification. (January 2013) |
Alfred E. Alquist | |
|---|---|
Edward M. Gaffney | |
| Succeeded by | John Vasconcellos |
| Personal details | |
| Born | August 2, 1908 Memphis, Tennessee |
| Died | March 27, 2006 (aged 97) Sacramento, California, U.S. |
| Nationality | American |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse(s) | Mai Alquist, Elaine Alquist |
| Children | Alan Alquist |
| Military service | |
| Branch/service |  United States Army |
| Battles/wars | World War II |
Alfred E. Alquist (August 2, 1908 – March 27, 2006) was a California politician.
Biography
Born in 1908 in
Alquist was elected to the
He was the Democratic nominee for Lieutenant Governor of California in 1970 but was defeated by incumbent Republican Lieutenant Governor Edwin Reinecke.[1]
He was perhaps best known for his co-authorship of the landmark 1974 law, known as the Warren-Alquist Act, which created the California Energy Commission and became a national model. In the legislature, Alquist also helped to establish the Santa Clara County transit system, the state's earthquake safety programs OSHPD and Hospital Facilities Seismic Safety Act, HSSA, and the state Energy Commission. A pragmatic New Deal Democrat, he earned a reputation for helping the poor and representing the interests of labor. When term limits forced him to retire in 1996, he was the Legislature's ranking member.
Alquist died of pneumonia in Sacramento, California, in 2006. He was 97 years old.[2] A state office building in downtown San Jose, which he had advocated to get built, is named for him. His second wife, Elaine Alquist, served in both the State Assembly and State Senate before and after his death, representing much of the same territory her husband had. She held his same Senate seat for two terms, from 2004 to 2012.
See also
- Hal Bernson, Los Angeles City Council member, given the Alfred E. Alquist Award for Achievement in Earthquake Safety in 1997
