Ferpa's History: Governor Edmund Pat Brown's Law

Governor Edmund G. Pat Brown served as California's 32nd governor from 1959 to 1967. During his time in office, Brown oversaw a period of unprecedented growth in the state, including the construction of 11 university campuses, 1,000 miles of freeways, the state parks system, and the California Water Project. He also secured the enactment of the Master Plan for Higher Education, which provided access to higher education for all qualified California citizens. Brown's tenure was marked by far-reaching social and governmental change, including the passage of the Rumford Act, which curtailed racial discrimination in housing, and the establishment of the state consumer counsel's office and economic development agency.

Governor Edmund G. Pat Brown's life and career

Governor Edmund G. "Pat" Brown was born in San Francisco, California, on April 21, 1905. He was the son of Ida (née Schuckman) and Edmund Joseph Brown and had three siblings. Brown's interest in politics and public speaking was evident from a young age. As a seventh grader, he delivered passionate speeches to sell Liberty Bonds, ending with the famous line, "Give me liberty or give me death!" by Patrick Henry. This earned him the nickname "Patrick Henry Brown," which was later shortened to "Pat."

After graduating from Lowell High School in San Francisco, where he was a debate champion and held several student government positions, Brown chose not to pursue a traditional college education. Instead, he worked in his father's cigar store, which also served as a gambling shop. During this time, he studied law at night and worked part-time for attorney Milton Schmitt. In the spring of 1927, Brown earned his LL.B. law degree from the San Francisco Law School. After passing the California bar exam, he began working full-time for Schmitt, and when Schmitt died, Brown took over the practice.

Brown's political career began with a defeat in 1928 when he ran as a Republican Party candidate for the State Assembly. However, he later switched to the Democratic Party in 1934 due to his loss of faith in the pro-business Republicans during the Great Depression. In 1939, he made his second attempt at public office, running for district attorney of San Francisco but lost. Four years later, in 1943, he ran again with the catchy slogan "Crack down on crime, elect Brown this time," and won decisively. He was re-elected in 1947 and received support from Republican Governor Earl Warren. As district attorney, he took a strong stance against gambling, corruption, and juvenile delinquency.

In 1946, Brown ran as the Democratic nominee for attorney general of California but lost. However, he persevered and won the election for attorney general in 1950, and was re-elected in 1954. During this time, he was the only Democrat to win a statewide election in California.

In 1958, Brown's political career reached new heights as he was elected governor of California, defeating Republican U.S. Senator William F. Knowland. He served as the 32nd governor of California from 1959 to 1967. During his first term, he focused on major legislation, including a tax increase and the California Master Plan for Higher Education. He also initiated the California State Water Project to address the state's water resource challenges. In 1962, he was re-elected, defeating former Vice President Richard Nixon.

Brown's second term as governor was marked by increasing challenges, including the defeat of a fair housing law, the Berkeley protests, the Watts riots, and internal Democratic Party disputes over the Vietnam War. Despite these difficulties, he continued to push for progressive reforms and sponsored numerous major proposals. He is remembered for his cheerful personality and his commitment to building the infrastructure needed to support California's rapid growth.

Brown's decision to run for a third term as governor, despite an earlier promise not to do so, damaged his popularity. In the 1966 election, he lost to Ronald Reagan, who would later become president. After leaving office, Brown returned to practising law and had success in business, including investments in the Indonesian petroleum industry.

Governor Edmund G. "Pat" Brown passed away on February 16, 1996, at the age of 90, from a heart attack. He is remembered as a pivotal figure in the transformation of California and is widely credited with creating modern California through his ambitious public works programs and far-reaching social and governmental reforms.

His time in office as governor of California

Edmund Gerald "Pat" Brown was the 32nd governor of California from 1959 to 1967. He was born in San Francisco, California, on April 21, 1905, and died of a heart attack at the age of 90 on February 16, 1996, in Beverly Hills, California.

Brown's first elected office was as district attorney for San Francisco, and he was later elected attorney general of California in 1950. In 1958, he was elected governor, winning by more than 1 million votes. He was re-elected in 1962, defeating Richard Nixon. While in office, Brown achieved a statewide water plan and improvements in higher education. He also ended the practice of cross-filing for political candidates and backed the use of computers in state government.

In his first term as governor, Brown delivered on major legislation, including a tax increase and the California Master Plan for Higher Education. The California State Water Project was a major and highly complex achievement. He also pushed through civil-rights legislation.

In his second term, Brown faced several challenges, including the defeat of a fair housing law (1964 California Proposition 14), the 1960s Berkeley protests, the Watts riots, and internal battles among Democrats over support or opposition to the Vietnam War.

Brown's tenure as governor was marked by far-reaching social and governmental change. He passed the Rumford Act, which curtailed racial discrimination in housing, established the state consumer counsel's office and economic development agency, and reorganized the state executive department. One of his most controversial moves was granting a 60-day reprieve to convicted murderer Caryl Chessman, who was eventually executed.

Brown is widely credited with the creation of modern California. During his term, four new University of California campuses were built, as well as seven new California State University campuses, making the Master Plan's higher education system the largest in the world. He also constructed 1,000 miles of freeways and developed the state parks system.

Brown's legacy is that of a relatively popular Democrat in what was, at the time, a Republican-leaning state. He is remembered for his cheerful personality and his championing of infrastructure development to meet the needs of California's rapidly growing population.

His legacy and impact on the state

Governor Edmund G. "Pat" Brown is remembered as the builder of modern California. During his tenure, he encouraged unprecedented growth in the state and launched one of the most ambitious public works programs in the country. This included the construction of 11 university campuses, 1,000 miles of freeways, the state parks system, and the California Water Project.

One of Brown's greatest achievements was the State Water Project, a massive network of dams, reservoirs, and canals to hold and move water across the state. This project addressed the issue of water scarcity in Southern California and enabled the expansion of agriculture and development in the region.

Brown also secured the enactment of the historic Master Plan for Higher Education, which provided an opportunity for all qualified citizens to attend an institution of higher learning in California. He fought for equal opportunity in the workplace and fair housing, and his tenure was marked by far-reaching social and governmental change.

In addition to his impact on infrastructure and social programs, Brown is also remembered for his role in the state's political landscape. He served as the 32nd governor of California from 1959 to 1967 and is credited with turning the state into a Democratic stronghold. His son, Edmund G. "Jerry" Brown Jr., followed in his footsteps and served as governor for four terms, further shaping the state's political landscape.

Today, Brown's legacy can be seen in the social programs, aqueducts, freeways, and colleges and universities that continue to benefit the people of California.

His family and personal life

Governor Edmund Gerald "Pat" Brown was born in San Francisco, California, on April 21, 1905, to Ida (née Schuckman) and Edmund Joseph Brown. He was one of four children. His father came from an Irish Catholic family, with his grandfather immigrating from County Tipperary, Ireland. His mother, Ida, was from a German Protestant family.

Brown attended Lowell High School in San Francisco, where he was a debate champion and held twelve offices in the student government. He graduated in 1923 and chose not to pursue a college degree. Instead, he worked in his father's cigar store, which doubled as a gambling shop. He studied law at night at the San Francisco College of Law, while also working part-time for attorney Milton Schmitt. He received an LL.B. degree in the spring of 1927 and passed the California bar exam the following fall. After that, he began working full-time for Schmitt and took over the practice upon Schmitt's death.

Brown married Bernice Layne, a fellow student at Lowell High School, in 1930. They had four children: Barbara Layne Brown, Cynthia Arden Brown, Edmund Gerald "Jerry" Brown Jr., and Kathleen Lynn Brown. All of their children were born in San Francisco. Jerry Brown followed in his father's footsteps and also served as the Governor of California. Kathleen Brown became the 29th California State Treasurer.

Pat Brown died on February 16, 1996, at the age of 90, from a heart attack.

His death and remembrance

Governor Edmund Gerald "Pat" Brown died of a heart attack on February 16, 1996, at the age of 90. He passed away at his home in Beverly Hills, California, and was interred at Holy Cross Cemetery in Colma.

Governor Brown's death was mourned across the state and political spectrum. President Clinton issued a statement praising the former governor, saying, "He built modern California with its great universities, highways, and vital water system... He loved people, and he loved politics." Governor Brown's son, Jerry Brown, who also served as governor of California, carried on his father's legacy in state politics.

Governor Edmund G. "Pat" Brown is remembered as a pivotal figure in California's history, overseeing a period of rapid growth and social change. He is credited with expanding the state's infrastructure, improving access to higher education, and promoting civil rights. His ambitious public works programs, including the construction of university campuses, freeways, and the state water project, transformed California and set the foundation for its future development.

In addition to his political achievements, Governor Brown is also remembered for his affable personality and his dedication to public service. He is honoured by various institutions and landmarks bearing his name, including the Governor Edmund G. Brown California Aqueduct. His legacy continues to shape California, and he is widely regarded as the builder of modern California.

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