Herb Wesson

Herb Wesson
President of the Los Angeles City Council
Assumed office
January 12, 2012
Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa
Eric Garcetti
Preceded by Eric Garcetti
Member of the Los Angeles City Council from the 10th district
Assumed office
July 1, 2005
Preceded by Martin Ludlow
65th Speaker of the California State Assembly
In office
February 6, 2002 – February 9, 2004
Governor Gray Davis
Arnold Schwarzenegger
Preceded by Robert Hertzberg
Succeeded by Fabian Núñez
Member of the California State Assembly
from the 47th district
In office
1998–2004
Preceded by Kevin Murray
Succeeded by Karen Bass
Personal details
Born (1951-11-11) November 11, 1951
Cleveland, Ohio, U.S.
Political party Democratic
Residence Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Alma mater Lincoln University
Website http://www.herbwesson.com

Herb J. Wesson, Jr. (born November 11, 1951) is an American politician who currently serves as the President of the Los Angeles City Council. He is the Councilmember representing the City of Los Angeles' 10th Council District. Wesson previously served as Speaker of the California State Assembly.

Early life and career

Wesson was born in Cleveland, Ohio on November 11, 1951. He has one younger brother.

He received his undergraduate degree in history from Lincoln University in 1999. While Wesson was a student he was a member of Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity.

Prior to his service in the California State Assembly, Wesson served as the chief-of-staff to former Los Angeles City Councilmember Nate Holden and as the chief-of-staff to former Los Angeles County Supervisor Yvonne Burke. After being termed out of the Assembly, he became a senior adviser and special assistant to Burke. He is a member of the Democratic Party.

State Assembly

Wesson served in the California State Assembly, representing the 47th district from 1998 until 2004. He was unanimously elected Speaker of the California State Assembly in 2002 and served in the role until 2004.[1] He was the second African-American to be elected Speaker of the California Assembly. His legislative agenda focused on education, environmental protection and healthcare.[2]

City Council

On November 8, 2005, Wesson was elected with almost 80% of the vote to represent the 10th Council District in the Los Angeles City Council, in a special election to fill the vacancy created when Martin Ludlow resigned to become head of the Los Angeles County Federation of Labor.[3] The 10th Council District is located in central and South Los Angeles, and includes the neighborhoods of Koreatown, Little Bangladesh, West Adams, Jefferson Park, Wilshire Center, South Robertson, Arlington Heights, Leimert Park, Faircrest Heights, Gramercy Park and parts of Baldwin Hills.[4]

Wesson won a full term in March 2007 with 99.7% of the vote.[5] He was reelected in 2011 and again in 2015.[6] He was elected as President of the City Council in 2012.[7]

Economic Development

On June 3, 2015 Wesson led the City Council to pass an ordinance that would raise L.A.’s minimum wage to $15 by 2020.[8]

In July 2015 he created a committee that would address how Los Angeles could be more business-friendly.[9] He currently serves as the Vice Chairman of the Ad Hoc Committee on Comprehensive Job Creation.

Wesson has helped secure various developments in the 10th Council District. Among them are Midtown Crossing,[10] Kaiser Permanente Baldwin Hills/Crenshaw Medical Offices,[11] District Square, and Cumulus.[12]

Race Relations

On October 20, 2016 Wesson announced the creation of embRACE L.A., a program to engage Angelenos in a conversation on race, ethnicity and diversity.[13] He partnered with Councilmember Mitch O'Farrell to create the program. On April 25, 2017 Wesson invited over 20 members of the community to dinner at his home to discuss embRACE L.A. and race in Los Angeles.[14]

Wesson announces the final approval of L.A.'s 2024 Olympic and Paralympic bid.

Olympic Bid

Wesson has been working with City Council, Mayor Eric Garcetti and LA24 on preparations for the bid to host the 2024 Olympic Games. President Wesson chaired the City Council's Ad Hoc Committee on the 2024 Summer Olympics. On January 25, 2017 he voted in favor of final approval of L.A.’s Host City Bid.[15]

Marijuana

On November 8, 2017, Proposition 64, the Adult Use of Marijuana Act, was passed in Los Angeles. Following its passage, Wesson has taken a lead in determining the regulations and rules for Los Angeles' commercial cannabis industry. On June 8, 2017 Wesson and Councilmembers Bob Blumenfield, Paul Koretz and Nury Martinez released City Council's Proposed Requirements for Commercial Cannabis Activity.[16]

Immigration

Following the 2016 presidential election, Wesson announced his opposition to the toughening of federal immigration laws.[17] On November 23, 2017 he sent a letter to members of the City Council outlining his intent to create a new Ad Hoc Committee on Immigrant Affairs, the creation of the position of Immigrant Advocate, protect Los Angeles residents from mass deportations and ensure the Los Angeles continue to be eligible for all grants, loans and federal funding.[18]

On December 19, 2016, the City Council created a $10 million fund to provide legal assistance for Los Angeles residents facing deportation [19]

On January 20, 2017, Wesson led the City Council in approving the hiring of an "immigrant advocate".[20] On April 20, 2017 Peter Schey was appointed to the position.[21]

Wesson gives L.A. families computers at an OurCycle L.A. event.

In April 2017, Wesson welcomed a delegation of governors from Mexico to discuss the relationship between Los Angeles and Mexican states. He concluded the dialogue by making each member of the delegation an honorary citizen in the City of Los Angeles.[22]

Technology

Under Wesson's leadership, the City of Los Angeles created OurCycle L.A., a digital inclusion program designed to take advantage of the thousands of salvage computers from the City of Los Angeles.[23] The program refurbishes city-owned computers and distributes them to low-income individuals citywide. Since its inception, OurCycle L.A. has distributed nearly $70,000 in technology and diverted almost $100,000 in E-waste.

Community Initiatives

Camp Wesson

Wesson with campers at Camp Wesson.

Every year Wesson, in partnership with the City of Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks treats approximately 150 children from disadvantaged communities to a camping trip at Hansen Dam.[24] Camp Wesson is a 3-day, 2-night sleepover excursion offering urban students the opportunity to experience the outdoors and participate in a wide range of camp activities including horseback riding, archery, wall-climbing and paddle boarding all free of charge to families. Wesson also provides student campers with a set of camping gear including new clothing and swimsuits and a sleeping bag.[25]

Movies in the Park

Each summer Wesson hosts several screenings in the 10th Council District of various family-friendly flicks.[26] Dubbed “Movies in the Park”, the series provides a fun and safe environment for all ages. In addition to the movie screenings, Wesson provides all attendees with a meal, drink, popcorn, candy and a raffle drawing.

Winter Wonderland

Once a year, Wesson partners with community sponsors and volunteers to host a fun day of winter games for children of the 10th Council District.[27] Wesson’s Winter Wonderland includes a tobogganing course made from real snow, holiday themed arts and crafts, lunch and an appearance from Santa Claus. Wesson also gives toys to all attendees and raffles off larger prizes such as bicycles. In December 2015 Wesson gave computers to 350 families.[28]

L.A. City Employee Appreciation Lunch

Every year Wesson hosts an annual luncheon for L.A. City employees.[29] The appreciation luncheon is regularly attended by nearly 500 employees.[30] The luncheon is hosted at Wesson's district office and guests traditionally eat ribs, tacos, hamburgers, and specialty ethnic foods prepared by restaurants throughout the 10th Council District.

References

  1. ↑ "Herb Wesson Jr. - Ballotpedia". Retrieved 2017-06-13.
  2. ↑ "Past Members | Legislative Black Caucus". blackcaucus.legislature.ca.gov. Retrieved 2017-06-20.
  3. ↑ "Our Campaigns - Los Angeles City Council District 10 Race - Nov 08, 2005". Ourcampaigns.com.
  4. ↑ "Map of Council District 10" (PDF).
  5. ↑ "Our Campaigns - Los Angeles City Council - District 10 Race - Mar 06, 2007". Ourcampaigns.com.
  6. ↑ Zahniser, David; Saillant, Catherine (2015-03-04). "L.A. City Council President Herb Wesson comes out on top". Los Angeles Times. ISSN 0458-3035. Retrieved 2017-06-13.
  7. ↑ "President of the Los Angeles City Council". Wikipedia. 2016-09-17.
  8. ↑ Reyes, Emily Alpert; Zahniser, David (2015-06-03). "Los Angeles City Council approves landmark minimum wage increase". Los Angeles Times. ISSN 0458-3035. Retrieved 2017-06-13.
  9. ↑ "How LA leaders plan to make the city more business-friendly". Retrieved 2017-06-13.
  10. ↑ Zahniser, David (2010-05-29). "L.A. City Council OKs $19.3-million loan for Midtown Crossing mall". Los Angeles Times. ISSN 0458-3035. Retrieved 2017-06-13.
  11. ↑ "Kaiser Permanente Announces Construction of New Baldwin Hills/Crenshaw Medical Facility - Los Angeles Sentinel". Los Angeles Sentinel. 2015-10-21. Retrieved 2017-06-13.
  12. ↑ "Welcoming Councilmember Herb Wesson | The Valley Economic Alliance". www.thevalley.net. Retrieved 2017-06-13.
  13. ↑ "How embRACE LA plans to have an ‘uncomfortable conversation’ about diversity". Retrieved 2017-06-13.
  14. ↑ "Council President Wesson’s leadership brings community together  - Los Angeles Sentinel". Los Angeles Sentinel. 2017-04-19. Retrieved 2017-06-13.
  15. ↑ Wharton, David (2017-01-25). "City Council unanimous in final approval for L.A. to host 2024 Olympics". Los Angeles Times. ISSN 0458-3035. Retrieved 2017-06-13.
  16. ↑ "Proposed Requirements for Commercial Cannabis Activity" (PDF).
  17. ↑ "Trump deportation plans 'deeply' concerning to LA Council? 'Immigrant Advocate' - MyNewsLA.com". MyNewsLA.com. 2016-11-18. Retrieved 2017-06-13.
  18. ↑ "City Council President Herb Wesson | Alarmed by President-elect Trump’s Pledge to Deport Millions of Residents, Wesson Explores Appointing Immigrant Advocate to Fight Federal Policies". herbwesson.com. Retrieved 2017-06-13.
  19. ↑ Smith, Dakota; Carcamo, Cindy (2016-12-19). "Responding to Trump, L.A. proposes $10-million legal defense fund for immigrants facing deportation". Los Angeles Times. ISSN 0458-3035. Retrieved 2017-06-13.
  20. ↑ Smith, Dakota (2017-01-20). "L.A. City Council approves hiring an 'immigrant advocate' at City Hall". Los Angeles Times. ISSN 0458-3035. Retrieved 2017-06-13.
  21. ↑ "L.A. City Council appoints immigrant advocate - Park Labrea News/ Beverly Press". Park Labrea News/ Beverly Press. 2017-04-20. Retrieved 2017-06-13.
  22. ↑ "Trump deportation plans 'deeply' concerning to LA Council? 'Immigrant Advocate' - MyNewsLA.com". MyNewsLA.com. 2016-11-18. Retrieved 2017-06-13.
  23. ↑ "OurCycle LA | Information Technology Agency". ita.lacity.org. Retrieved 2017-06-13.
  24. ↑ "WESSON’S CAMP FOR AT-RISK KIDS A GREAT ADVENTURE - Los Angeles Sentinel". Los Angeles Sentinel. 2012-07-26. Retrieved 2017-06-13.
  25. ↑ "City Council President Herb Wesson | Council President Herb Wesson Joined by Hundreds of Local Students for Tenth Annual "Camp Wesson" Summer Outing". herbwesson.com. Retrieved 2017-06-13.
  26. ↑ "WESSON ANNOUNCES FREE SUMMER "MOVIES IN THE PARK" - Los Angeles Sentinel". Los Angeles Sentinel. 2013-09-06. Retrieved 2017-06-13.
  27. ↑ "City Council President Herb Wesson | Community Initiatives". herbwesson.com. Retrieved 2017-06-13.
  28. ↑ "Wesson Provides 350 Deserving Families with Computers this Holiday Season - Los Angeles Sentinel". Los Angeles Sentinel. 2015-12-16. Retrieved 2017-06-13.
  29. ↑ "Wesson Thanks LA City Employees - Los Angeles Sentinel". Los Angeles Sentinel. 2013-07-13. Retrieved 2017-06-13.
  30. ↑ "City Council President Herb Wesson | Community Initiatives". herbwesson.com. Retrieved 2017-06-13.
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