Biography

Councilmember Herb J. Wesson, Jr. was elected to represent the 10th Council District of the City Los Angeles in a Special Election in November 2005.  The voters of the 10th Council District recognized Wesson’s long service to the community by giving him their overwhelming support – 80 percent of their votes.

In the City Council, Wesson has made economic development his priority.  His chairmanship of the powerful Housing, Community and Economic Development (HCED) Committee – with jurisdiction over the city’s economic development, housing, workforce investment and community development policies – provides him with a platform to shape the economic development not just for the 10th Council District but for the whole City of Los Angeles.

    
In addition to HCED, Wesson is the Vice-Chair of the Intergovernmental Relations Committee and the Ad Hoc Committee on Gang Violence & Youth Development.  He is a member of the Transportation Committee, the Personnel Committee, as well as the Ad Hoc Stadium Committee.  He also serves on the Exposition Metro Line Construction Authority which oversees the construction of the Expo Line.

Throughout his 20-year career in government, Councilmember Wesson is well known for his uncanny ability to bring people together.  He began his career as Chief of Staff to former 10th District Councilmember Nate Holden and later as Chief of Staff to 2nd District Supervisor Yvonne Burke. 

In 1998 he was elected to represent the 47th State Assembly District – a position he held until term limits forced him to step down in 2004.  While serving in the Assembly, his peers accorded him the greatest honor by unanimously electing him the 65th Speaker of the California State Assembly – one of the three most powerful positions in state government.  He was only the second African American to be elected Speaker of the California State Assembly.  As Speaker, Wesson fought to protect society’s most vulnerable and to pass groundbreaking legislation on the environment, education and healthcare. 

A native of Cleveland, Ohio, Wesson is the son of blue-collar parents who taught him the value of hard work and persistence.  In 1999, he fulfilled a promise to his family and completed his BA in History from Lincoln University in Pennsylvania – nearly 30 years after an illness in the family prevented him from finishing his senior year.

Herb Wesson is married to Fabian Wesson. They have four sons: Douglas, P.J., Herb III, and Justin.

In recognition of his extensive service to the community, Herb Wesson has received various awards. These include (partial listing):

• California Teachers Association, 2004 Legislator of the Year Award
• California/Nevada Community Action Partnership, 2004 Community Action Partner
• The Congress of California Seniors, 2004 Friends of Seniors Award
• Ebony Magazine, 100+ Most Influential Black Americans(2003 and 2004)
• California Association for the Education of Young Children, 2003 Commitment to Children Award
• Enshrined into the “Promenade of Prominence” - Walk of Fame (2003), Los Angeles
• FAME Renaissance, 2003 Political Partner Award
• California League of Conservation Voters, 2003 Environmental Hero Award
• Greater L.A. African-American Chamber of Commerce, 2003 Julian Dixon Public Service Award
• Black American Political Association of California, 2003 Political & Religious Hall of Fame Award
• Consumer Attorneys Association of L.A., 2003 George Moscone Memorial Award
• Los Angeles Council of Churches, 2003 Outstanding Community Service Award
• NAACP Sacramento Branch, 2003 “Having Our Say” Award
• Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity (Beta Psi Lamda Chapter), 2003 Distinguished Service Award
• Ronald H. Brown Democratic Club, 2003 Golden Ladder Award
• National Black Caucus of State Legislators Labor Roundtable, 2003 Appreciation Award
• Veterans of Foreign Wars, 2002-03 Legislator of the Year Award
• California Gay Veterans Memorial Association, 2003 Outstanding Service Award
• Bluewater Network, 2002 Global Warming Leadership Award
• Asian and Pacific Islander's California Action Network, 2002 Civil Rights Award
• American Legion, 2002 and 2004 Legislator of the Year Award
• California Association of County Veterans Service Officers, 2002 Legislator of the Year
• California Association of Black Lawyers, 2002 Legislator of the Year Award
• Environmental Caucus of the California Democratic Party, 2002 Legislator of the Year
• New Frontier Democratic Club, 2002 Political Achievement Award
• California Alliance for Pride and Equality, Crusader State Leadership Award
• Greater Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce, Public Service Award
• The Agape Foundation, Combating Domestic Violence Honoree
• Planned Parenthood Los Angeles, 2001 Legislator of the Year Award
• National Women's Political Caucus, 2001 Good Guy Award
• Stonewall Democratic Club, 2000 Public Official Award
• Mid-City Chamber of Commerce, 1996 Outstanding Community Service Award
• Concerned Black Women, 1996 Living Legend Award
• Young People for Young People, 1990 Man of the Year