Political Quotes

“I wish to talk about a very special person in our community who recently left us. Mr. Speaker, I rise to pray tribute to a gentleman of exceptional generosity, deep principles, and extraordinary wit: Justice William Newsom, or, as many called him, ``Bill.'' A dedicated public servant with a commitment to the arts and conservation, he leaves a lasting legacy for America. Any one of us who knew him considered him a cherished friend. Bill was a proud fourth-generation San Franciscan, who was born to a large Irish brood. As a commissioner of the San Francisco Superior Court, judge on the Placer County Superior Court, and then California Court of Appeals judge, he worked relentlessly to uphold liberty and justice for all. Again, Bill's charitable and civic contributions to our city and our State are legendary. He was endowed with great decency and humanity and took the golden rule literally. He considered an injustice and indignity to one an injustice and indignity to all. A passionate student of natural history and a lifelong enthusiast of the outdoors, Bill worked relentlessly to preserve the beauty of God's creation. His leadership on a vast range of conservation and environmental organizations was vital in protecting clean air, clean water, and public lands for our children and grandchildren. Bill also understood the power of the arts to bring us together and dedicated decades to fostering beauty, culture, and the arts in the bay area and around the world.…”