PBI Celebrates the 51st anniversary of Edmund G. “Pat” Brown’s inauguration as California Governor in 1959
This year, we celebrate the 51st anniversary of Edmund G. “Pat” Brown’s inauguration as California Governor in 1959 – a truly remarkable period of unparalleled investment in California’s infrastructure, civil rights, and environmental protections – indeed, in the future of the “Golden State.”
PBI’s 29th Annual Awards Dinner was held at the Millennium Biltmore Hotel on April 29th, 2010, in Downtown Los Angeles. Honorees included California State Controller John Chiang, recipient of the Public Servant of the Year Award; ACLU-Southern California Executive Director Ramona Ripston, recipient of the Lifetime of Excellence in Public Service Award; Kaiser Permanente, recipient of the Corporate Leadership and Responsibility Award and accepted by Vice President of Public Affairs Dr. Diana Bontá; and Hon. Willie Brown, recipient of the Pat Brown Legacy Award.
This year’s honorees exemplified Gov. Pat Brown’s commitment to the highest standards of public service and community well being. It was only fitting to recognize these individuals and organizations on a night that celebrated the legacy of one of California’s greatest leaders. The late Gov. Brown was impressively represented throughout the evening with California Attorney General Jerry Brown, Goldman Sachs West Coast Regional Director Hon. Kathleen Brown, and two of Gov. Brown’s grandchildren in attendance, filmmakers Hilary Armstrong and PBI Board Member Sascha Rice.
Over 400 guests, including elected officials, business, academic, and labor leaders, attended the annual awards dinner. For many in the audience that night, a highlight of the evening was Hon. Willie L. Brown’s acceptance of the Pat Brown Legacy Award from Kathleen Brown, former CA Treasurer and Governor Pat Brown’s daughter, as he reflected humorously on his years in elected office and shared his candid views on term limits.
We are pleased to be able to share Kathleen Brown’s fond introduction and Willie Brown’s colorful acceptance speech on our website.