Edmund G."Pat"Brown Institute of Public Affairs: <~title~>


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Political Journalist Bill Boyarsky Heads Pat Brown Institute of Public Affairs Distinguished Lecture 2002

February 20, 2002

To anyone who grew up in the Los Angeles area reading the LA Times, the name Bill Boyarsky is synonymous with politics. So, before an enthusiastic audience of over 75, the former Los Angeles Times city editor and columnist regaled listeners with stories of California's recent governmental past.

As the first speaker in the Institute's Distinguished Lecture 2002, Boyarsky was both informative and entertaining, recalling his experiences as a young political reporter in Sacramento in the 50's and 60's.

His run-ins with legendary Assembly Speaker then State Treasurer Jesse Unruh, provided a humorous, yet thought-provoking glimpse into the politics of the time and gave the audience a taste of his upcoming biography on Unruh entitled Big Daddy.

In addition, Boyarsky's recollections of the friendship and the eventual animosity that grew between Unruh and former Governor Pat Brown brought nods of agreement from those who shared the experience with the veteran journalist and looks of surprise and even shock from those in the audience to young to remember.

Boyarsky joins a long list of varied and extraordinary speakers who have graced the podium of the PBI Distinguished Lecture series, from the first speaker, James Galbraith in 1994 to Dr. Michael Dear in 2001. With topics from politics to urban sprawl, the PBI series covers the issues of interest and importance to all Californians.