Biography

en Español

Assemblymember Warren Furutani was elected in a special election to the 55th Assembly District in February 2008 and represents the communities of Wilmington, Harbor City and the Harbor Gateway, Carson, and parts of Long Beach and Lakewood.

Warren has 35 years of experience and involvement in education and public service, both as an elected official and a community leader.  As a three-term member of the Los Angeles Community College Board of Trustees, Warren was elected President of the Board in July 2002 and served as First Vice President in 2001.  He is also the only person to have been elected and reelected to this board and to the Los Angeles Unified School District Board (LAUSD).

The first Asian Pacific American ever elected to the LAUSD in 1987, Warren is noted for building bridges between parents, community members, teachers and staff in increasing involvement in the education system.  He served as the Board’s President in 1991.

As an activist beginning in the 1960’s and continuing to the present, Warren has worked hard to ensure that all people living in the Golden State have equal opportunities, especially as they relate to education.  These opportunities include the establishment of both admissions programs for minority students at colleges and universities, and ethnic studies programs and departments at these same campuses.

Along with his extensive record, Warren brings his reputation as a problem solver and consensus builder to the Assembly, where he plans to continue his passion for fighting on behalf of California students in both K-12 and higher education, and promoting workforce development for all Californians.      

A native Californian and fourth generation Japanese American, Warren is a product of the Los Angeles public education system, graduating from Gardena High School in 1965. He then attended several community colleges in both Southern and Northern California, later earning a B.A. degree from Antioch University.

Warren has been published and interviewed in education journals, university academic journals, newspapers and books. He is featured in a permanent exhibit, "Common Ground" in the Japanese American National Museum. Warren has also served as the Executive Director of the Asian Pacific Community Fund, a philanthropic organization, and as the President and CEO of the Asian Pacific Policy and Planning Council, an umbrella organization comprised of over 50 human service organizations serving the greater Los Angeles area.