John Vasconcellos
John Vasconcellos 13th district | |
---|---|
In office December 2, 1996 – November 30, 2004 | |
Preceded by | Al Alquist |
Succeeded by | Elaine Alquist |
Member of the California State Assembly | |
In office January 2, 1967 – November 30, 1996 | |
Preceded by | Al Alquist |
Succeeded by | Elaine Alquist |
Constituency | 24th district (1967–74) 23rd district (1974–92) 22nd district (1992–96) |
Personal details | |
Born | San Jose, California | May 11, 1932
Died | May 24, 2014 San Jose, California | (aged 82)
Nationality | American |
Political party | Democratic |
Residence(s) | Santa Clara, California |
Alma mater | Bellarmine College Preparatory and Santa Clara University |
Occupation | Lawyer |
John Bernard Vasconcellos Jr. ComIH (May 11, 1932 – May 24, 2014) was an American politician from California and member of the Democratic Party. He represented Silicon Valley as a member of the California State Assembly for 30 years and a California State Senator for 8 years. His lifelong interest in psychology led to his advocacy of the self-esteem movement in California politics.
Early life
Vasconcellos came from
Career
In 1966, Vasconcellos ran for and won a seat in the California State Assembly, taking office January 2, 1967. (Legislative sessions since 1972 have begun on the first Monday in December of even-numbered years.)
He then ran for, and won, a seat in the California State Senate, again representing Silicon Valley. In the State Senate, he chaired the Public Safety, Education, and Economic Development committees. Vasconcellos served two terms in the State Senate, again forced to retire by term limits.[1]
Throughout his long public career Vasconcellos worked to illuminate the link between personal psychology and politics.[4]
In March 2004, Vasconcellos introduced Senate Bill 1606, known as
Vasconcellos was also a leading champion of medical marijuana. In 1995, he sponsored AB 1529, a bill to legalize personal possession and cultivation of marijuana for medical use. The bill was vetoed by Gov. Wilson, but provided the blueprint for California's pioneering medical marijuana initiative,
Later career
After representing the Silicon Valley for 38 years in the California Legislature, Vasconcellos retired on November 30, 2004. In order to carry forward the vision and leadership of Vasconcellos' politics, friends and colleagues created The Vasconcellos Project. As its first initiative, The Vasconcellos Project launched the Politics of Trust Network (PTN), a civic engagement enterprise that seeks to become a prime mover in advancing this new vision and practice of politics.
Vasconcellos had the second-longest career of an elected state legislator in California history (after Ralph C. Dills of southern California) and the longest in terms of continuous service. He was known for his work on public education and the state budget during his career in the legislature.
Death
Vasconcellos died at his home in Santa Clara, California from multiple organ failure, thirteen days after his 82nd birthday.[8]
Honors
- Commander of the Order of Prince Henry, Portugal (9 June 1997)[9]
References
- ^ a b c d "Biography of John Vasconcellos" (PDF), Preliminary Guide to the John Vasconcellos Papers, Online Archive of California, pp. 2–7, April 25, 2003
- ^ https://ballotpedia.org/California_Proposition_4,_Rules_Governing_State_Legislative_Sessions_(1972). Archived 2021-07-25 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ "Now, the California Task Force to Promote Self-Esteem". The New York Times. 1986-10-11. Retrieved 2009-07-07.
- ^ John Vasconcellos: The New Politics by Hal Plotkin Archived 2014-07-29 at the Wayback Machine San Jose Metro 1992-10-29.
- ^ "SB1606 - Voting age". MAPLight.org. Retrieved 2009-07-07.[permanent dead link]
- ^ Bailey, Eric (2004-03-09). "Giving New Meaning to 'Youth Vote'". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2009-07-07.
- ^ Bauce, Rio (2005-04-17). "Transferring teen clout to the voting booth". San Francisco Chronicle. Retrieved 2009-07-07.
- ^ "John Vasconcellos, longtime Silicon Valley lawmaker dies at 82". Los Angeles Times.com. 24 May 2014. Retrieved 24 May 2014.
- ^ "Cidadãos Estrangeiros Agraciados com Ordens Portuguesas". Página Oficial das Ordens Honoríficas Portuguesas. Retrieved 1 August 2017.