CALIFORNIA ASIAN PACIFIC ISLANDER LEGISLATIVE CAUCUS

"The Asian Pacific Islander community lost one of its true pioneers this week. Senator Song was not only the first Asian Pacific Islander American to serve in the Legislature, he remains the only Korean American to have served in the Legislature and the only Asian Pacific Islander American to serve in the California State Senate.

Senator Song was a trailblazer who lived a life of many "firsts." He was the first Korean American commissioned officer in the U.S. Air Force. In 1960, he was the first Asian Pacific Islander American elected to the Monterey Park City Council. He became the first Asian Pacific Islander American elected to the State Assembly in 1962, and four years after that, to the State Senate. As a legislator, Senator Song founded and chaired the Senate Democratic Caucus. He authored landmark legislation that included the first Consumer Warranty Act, an act creating the office of the State Public Defender, and his proudest accomplishment, a law designed to protect minority voters from harassment at the polls.

On behalf of the California Asian Pacific Islander Legislative Caucus, we express our condolences to Senator Song’s family. He will always be remembered for his contributions to our great State and the Asian Pacific Islander American community."

Senator Alfred H. Song, 85, died Monday of natural causes at an assisted living center in Irvine.