Re “Waxman Fades Into Past Tense, Says He Is Retiring”
[img]1987|right|Sebastian Ridley-Thomas||no_popup[/img]State Assemblymember Sebastian Ridley-Thomas (D-Culver City) this afternoon praised the retiring U.S. Rep. Henry Waxman (D-Beverly Hills/South Bay) for his 45 years of public service as a member of the House of Representatives and the Assembly.
“The dedicated and determined leadership that Congressman Waxman has provided to California and our nation will be sorely missed when he retires at the end of his current term,” Mr. Ridley-Thomas said. “Congressman Waxman is one of our nation’s strongest supporters of Israel, our country’s closest ally in the Middle East.
“Name almost any important policy issue – be it health, transportation, energy, the environment or foreign policy. You will find that Congressman Waxman played a pivotal role in shaping how our state and federal governments provide programs and services that meet the needs of working families.
“He placed a strong policy emphasis on seeking social justice and providing equal opportunity. Simply put, Congressman Waxman helped make all of our lives better because of the causes he pursued, legislation he advanced and battles he fought and won on our behalf,” he said.
“There will no doubt be many leaders who may aspire to represent the people of the 33rd Congressional District when he finally ends his tenure. But it is important to bear in mind what Henry Waxman has always fully represented. He is a progressive’s progressive.
“He has been a giant among liberal thinkers and doers,” said Mr. Ridley-Thomas. “In my mind, with the breadth of his public service and the impact he has had on public policy, Mr. Waxman can never be replaced. He can only be succeeded.”
For information on Mr. Ridley-Thomas, see http://asmdc.org/members/a54/
