LOS ANGELES – Long time Community activist and former staff member of Majority Leader Bass, Theressa Hayes passed away on Monday, July 9th, 2007.

As a well respected member of the community, Ms. Hayes helped on various state and city-wide political campaigns. She worked with Community Coalition to organize neighborhoods; AGENDA to obtain federal funds for South Los Angeles youth programs and Wilton Gramercy Neighborhood Watch to close liquor stores and motels. She also served on the board of the Southwest Empowerment Congress.

“It is with great sadness to issue this statement on the passing of Theressa Hayes, who served the community for the last 40 years. She was an activist who worked with many of us as we fought to bridge disparity gaps in Los Angeles. Theressa was a quiet soldier who worked tirelessly to improve the quality of life in communities throughout the city. I was honored to have had her as a staff member but more importantly as a good friend. She will be missed by many and my prayers go out to her family.” --- Majority Leader Karen Bass.