Wilson Riles was a special constitutional officer who served public education and the children of California with great distinction. His greatest attributes were his educational vision, his warmth and friendliness. Politics, particularly in the "major leagues" is usually associated with such words as "ambition", "posturing", and "cynicism". These are words that just don't come to mind when thinking of Wilson Riles. He was genuinely concerned about education and children, and gaining personal credit was of secondary importance. Wilson was an educational statesman and his imposing physical stature, his strong, deep melodious voice, his three-pieced pin-striped suits, and his infectious laugh reinforced a feeling that here was a man who could be liked as well as trusted. That trust extended across partisan lines and from the classroom to the corporate boardroom.
From issues as diverse as early childhood education to special education, from school improvement to Serrano compliance, Wilson Riles was a strong and effective advocate for education reform. He was an activist who believed public education was too important to be left solely to professionals. He wanted to open up the system, to democratize the process, and he succeeded. His special legacy will be his vitalization and empowerment of the many groups who were previously neglected or suffered from discrimination. In particular, children with special needs and children perceived as outside the traditional education system found a forum to be heard and assisted within the public educational arena.
A word also needs to be said about the fine senior staff people associated with Wilson Riles over so many years. Their loyalty to him during a time of great tumultuous change and controversy (from Ronald Reagan to Jerry Brown, from Serrano to Crawford, from Proposition 1 to Proposition 13) was unswerving. Their common commitment to Wilson Riles' agenda forged a systemic change in public education that was felt in the Governor's office, legislative chambers and literally in a thousand school districts throughout the state.
Wilson Riles was one of California's and this nation's finest education leaders in the post World War II era. He was a strong, yet gentle spokesperson whose commitment to the politics of inclusion in the education process has had an enormous, positive influence on public education.
SENATOR GARY K. HART served eight years in the State Assembly and served 12 years in the State Senate. His district (the 18th) included portions of Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, Ventura, and Los Angeles Counties. Born in San Diego, Gary Hart attended public schools in Santa Monica, Whittier, and Santa Barbara. He earned a B.A. degree in history from Stanford and a Masters degree in education from Harvard. A former teacher and recognized as one of the key educational leaders in California, Senator Hart served as the Chairman of the Senate Education Committee from 1983 to 1995.
During his first Senate term, Hart authored SB 813, a landmark education bill that improved school funding and strengthened academic standards. Hart has also been a leader in the area of both pupil and teacher assessment, and carried legislation requiring statewide performance-based testing of students, which resulted in greater educational accountability and a more sophisticated school curriculum. In addition, Hart focused efforts on reducing the cost of higher education to students. Through bills establishing a college work study program, a loan forgiveness program for prospective teachers, and encouraging articulation agreements among higher education institutions, Hart's goal was to keep higher education within the reach of middle-income families.
Recognizing the need to help schools adapt to meet the changing needs of children, Hart also authored SB 1274, which created more than 150 "restructured schools" committed to developing innovative ways to deliver educational services. Hart also authored SB 1448, which authorizes the creation of charter schools. A charter school is initiated by a group of teachers and parents who write a "charter" spelling out the specific goals and operating procedures for the school; in return the charter school is freed from most existing legal and bureaucratic requirements which often stifle change and creativity.
In addition to his work in education, Hart has played an important role in other issues key to children's lives. In 1991, he authored a major reform of the child support system that resulted in raising child support awards and increasing enforcement efforts to ensure that those who are supposed to pay support do so. Hart was also instrumental in establishing the "latchkey" child care program, and authored legislation creating a child care tax credit for employers who provide care for their employees' children.
Senator Hart has taken the lead in environmental issues as well. Thanks to legislation he carried in 1989, California consumers now receive a nickel for every two cans they recycle, and a nickel for each of the large two-liter soft drink containers. He has also fought for tougher controls on the handling and transportation of toxic materials, and authored a bill increasing the penalties for oil and chemical spills in our streams and rivers. Hart's strong environmental record led the Planning and Conservation League to name him California's 1990 Environmental Legislator of the Year.
In a California Journal survey of state legislators and staff, Capitol journalists and lobbyists, Senator Hart was rated as the legislator with the most integrity. In addition to chairing the Senate Education Committee, Senator Hart was the Vice Chair of the Senate Natural Resources Committee, and a member of the Committees on Budget and Fiscal Review, Energy and Public Utilities, Business and Professions, and Constitutional Amendments.
On occasion Senator Hart returns to the classroom to assume a teaching assignment. Recently, he completed a semester-long assignment teaching U. S. History at John F. Kennedy High School in Sacramento.