Ridley-Thomas, Kathryn Barger and Hilda Solis. (courtesy photo)
The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors has conferred Sen. Holly J. Mitchell with its 2017 Distinguished Legislator Award for her ‘exemplary service’ to the residents of Los Angeles county and residents statewide.
“During your tenure in the Legislature, you have fought tirelessly as an advocate for children and have championed laws to address poverty and homelessness,” the chair of the five-member board, Mark Ridley-Thomas, said in a letter announcing the honor. “You authored dozens of landmark laws aimed at improving the lives of the residents of Los Angeles county.”
These laws included, Ridley-Thomas said, ending policies that drive families deeper into poverty; limiting unfair seizures of personal assets; decriminalizing prostitution for child victims of sex trafficking; and instituting substantive reforms to the juvenile justice system.
Also cited was Mitchell’s role as the first African American woman to serve as chair of the Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Committee, in which she oversaw smooth passage of a $183 billion budget her first year as chair. The budget included protecting and expanding funding for important safety-net programs administered by counties throughout California.
In addition to Ridley-Thomas, his four fellow supervisors signed the award: Kathryn Barger, Janice Hahn, Sheila Kuehl and Hilda Solis.
The award was presented to Mitchell recently in the supervisors’ board room in downtown Los Angeles on West Temple Street.