By CBM –
Hundreds came to the California African American Museum in Los Angeles to see history being made as Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger swore in Jerome Horton as the 4th District Member of the Board of Equalization, representing more than 8.5 million residents in Los Angeles County. He became only the third African American constitutional officer in California’s history after his confirmation hearings in both the Senate and the Assembly.
The event was marked by the passing of the symbolic torch (a Maasai stick) by former Lt. Governor Mervyn M. Dymally, Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, with the historic Buffalo Soldiers and Tuskegee Airmen presenting the colors and leading the pledge.
Tears flowed when Maria Elena Durazo, President of the L.A. Federation of Labor spoke of her late husband, Miguel, who approached Horton to start his political carreer. Tears flowed again when recording artist Dwayne Johnson sang Donnie McKlurlin’s song “We Fall Down But We Get Up.” There was time however for fun and laughs. One of the best times was when Schwarzenegger introduced Yvonne, Horton’s wife. He said she is the rock behind the man and if it were not for the wife, “us fellows would be nothing.”
Horton tried to thank everyone who supported him, the list was two pages long, when after a few minutes of reading he finally told everyone to stand and hug your neighbor for him, he was overwhelmed with the size of the audience.
How did we get to this historic place. It started with Obama taping Hilda Solis to serve in his cabinet leaving open a Congressional seat that Judy Chu ran for and won, leaving open a seat on the Board of Equalization. Then there was a very astute attorney, Phyllis Marshall who called Horton to tell him her thoughts about the position. She knew his 20 year history with the Board of Equalization and that he was eminently qualified to replace Chu. Plus as pastor Steve Mays, of Calvary Chapel South Bay said, “he was looking at what to do with the rest of his life.” Phyllis convinced him to go for it and he began the work necessary for such an appointment. This has only been done in a few other cases in the State’s history. Phyllis continued to garner support and went to her friends in the Governor’s office. The Governor had no reservations, he knew Horton as a legislator and as a conciliator. He was proud to nominate Horton. Senate Pro Tem, Darrell Steinburg and Speaker Karen Bass were in full support as was an overwhelming number of legislators. He was confirmed by the Senate and the Assembly on September 10th. His term expires January 2011. He was voted in Wednesday at Vice Chair of the Board and he will serve as the Board’s Legislative Committee Chair.