Honoring California State Senator Fran Pavley

Congresswoman Julia Brownley
Congressional Record: 114th Congress
Extensions of Remarks
13 December 2016

Ms. BROWNLEY of California. Mr. Speaker, today I rise in recognition 
of my friend and former colleague California State Senator Fran Pavley, 
a dedicated and driven member of the California State Legislature, who 
is being honored for her outstanding leadership, steadfast advocacy, 
and invaluable dedication to public service.

  For over three decades, Senator Pavley has been a widely accomplished 
legislator. Throughout her career, she has authored groundbreaking and 
historic legislation to protect and realize a better future for the 
State of California. Senator Pavley has been one of the state's 
greatest environmental champions.

  Senator Pavley has played an instrumental role in landmark policies 
and initiatives to protect California's environment and its natural 
resources. She is the author of Assembly Bill 1493, which became the 
framework for vehicle emissions standards on the national level. She 
also wrote Assembly Bill 32, the nation's first cap on greenhouse gas 
pollution. These bills have served as a catalyst for innovation and job 
growth in clean and renewable energy as well as alternative fuels. 
Senator Pavley's work had a monumental impact on national emissions 
policies when President Obama implemented national clean car standards, 
modeled on Assembly Bill 1493, also known as the ``Pavley Law.''

  Senator Pavley continued her dedicated campaign of environmental 
protection when she paved the way to end unregulated hydraulic 
fracturing and other oil-extraction practices in California. In 2013, 
she coauthored successful legislation to invest $2 billion in effective 
air-quality and clean vehicle and fuel technology programs.

  In a time of historic drought for California, Senator Pavley and her 
expansive knowledge and background has been an important figure in 
addressing this complex issue and its vast impact on the state. In 
2014, Senator Pavley authored innovative and pioneering legislation for 
the state's management of groundwater. This bill helped to negotiate a 
bipartisan water bond that was approved by voters, which authorized 
$7.12 billion in general obligation bonds for state water supply 
infrastructure projects.

  Additionally, Senator Pavley has been an unwavering advocate for her 
constituents. Her career has been marked with legislative victories on 
an array of issues including stronger consumer protections, tougher 
child safety laws, and tighter reforms for campaign contributions.

  Senator Pavley has spent a lifetime working for her constituents Los 
Angeles and Ventura counties. For these reasons, it is with heartfelt 
appreciation that I am pleased to join the Ventura County Women's 
Political Council in recognizing Senator Fran Pavley.