Nicholas C. Petris

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Nicholas C. Petris (born February 25, 1923) was a California State Senator from 1966 until 1996. A Democrat, he represented the 11th district from 1966 to 1976 and the 9th district from 1976 until he was termed out in 1996. He was previously in the California State Assembly, representing the 15th district from 1958 until 1966.

Contents

[edit] Personal life and education

Petris was born in Oakland, California. He received his Bachelor's degree from UC Berkeley and his law degree from Stanford University. He was classmates and friends with Warren Christopher[1], Secretary of State under President Bill Clinton.

[edit] Legislative career

Petris dedicated substantial energy and resources toward expanding the University of California system. [2]. Petris was also the co-author of the Lanterman-Petris-Short Act, which brought changes to the mental health system in California.

He introduced bills to ban DDT and to limit cars to one per family, but neither was passed.[3]

[edit] Legacy

Locations named after Petris include:

  • The Nicholas C. Petris Center on Health Care Markets & Consumer Welfare at UC Berkeley
  • The Nicholas C. Petris Lecture (started in 2001) at San Francisco State University
Preceded by
Milton Marks		 California State Assemblyperson
1976 – 1996		 Succeeded by
Barbara Lee
Preceded by
Samuel R. Geddes		 California State Senator
1966 – 1976		 Succeeded by
Al Alquist

[edit] References

  1. ^ Brief Biographical Resume.
  2. ^ Brief Biographical Resume.
  3. ^ Rumford, William Byron, interviewee; Joyce Henderson, Amelia R. Fry, and Edward France, interviewers (1973). Legislator for fair employment, fair housing and public health : oral history transcript. Berkeley: Bancroft Library. Regional Oral History Office, 89.