Honoring Karen Bass for becoming the first African-American woman elected Speaker of the California State Assembly.

Whereas Karen Bass made history as the first African-American woman to serve as Speaker in a State legislative body in the United States;

Whereas Karen Bass was sworn in as the 67th Speaker of the California State Assembly on May 13, 2008;

Whereas Karen Bass was elected in 2005 to represent California’s 47th Assembly District;

Whereas Karen Bass represents Culver City, West Los Angeles, Westwood, Cheviot Hills, Ladera Heights, the Crenshaw District, Little Ethiopia, Baldwin Hills, and parts of Korea Town and South Los Angeles;

Whereas Karen Bass in her first term was appointed to Majority Whip;

Whereas Karen Bass in her second term was elevated to the post of Majority Floor Leader, making her the first woman to hold the post and the second African-American to serve in the position;

Whereas Karen Bass founded and operated Community Coalition before becoming an elected official, which is a community based social justice organization in South Los Angeles empowering people to make a difference in the community;

Whereas Karen Bass graduated from Hamilton High School, California State University at Dominquez Hills, and the University of Southern California’s School Of Medicine; and

Whereas Karen Bass was raised in the Venice/Fairfax area of Los Angeles with her parents DeWitt and Wilhelmina Bass: Now, therefore, be it