Rose Ann Vuich
Encyclopedia
Rose Ann Vuich served as a member of the California State Senate
from 1977 until 1993. She was the first female member of the California State Senate.
By profession, Vuich was a farmer and tax accountant from Dinuba, California
. Not many initially took notice when she ran for a vacant state Senate seat in 1976, as the area voted Republican in most elections. However, she scored one of the biggest upsets in the state that year when she narrowly defeated Ernest Mobley, a 10 year Republican Assemblyman, in the general election.
Vuich quickly became popular in her conservative district for her unassuming manner and her political independence. She broke with her party on agricultural and law enforcement issues on several occasions. Her Democratic colleagues tolerated that because of the conservative constituency she represented. However, she was willing to stand up to conservatives, angering popular Republican Governor George Deukmejian
in 1989 when she voted against confirming his chosen appointee for state Treasurer when the post became vacant http://online.ceb.com/calcases/C3/45C3d727.htm.
Vuich would ring a bell whenever her fellow Senators addressed the collective members of the Senate as "Gentlemen," to remind them that the chamber was no longer exclusively male.
Vuich retired from politics in 1992. One of her former staffers, Cal Dooley
, later became a United States Representative from Hanford, California
from 1991 until 2005.
The Rose Anne Vuich Ethical Leadership Award is presented annually by the Kenneth L. Maddy Institute at California State University, Fresno
to a person who has demonstrated "integrity, strength of character, exemplary ethical behavior, ability to build consensus, serving the public interest and vision for enhancing the community." Recipients of the Vuich Award include: Juan Arambula
(2002) and Cal Dooley (2004).
The interchange of State Route 41 and State Route 180 in Fresno, California
is named the Rose Ann Vuich Interchange, and in 2006, Hearing Room 2040 at the California State Capitol
was renamed the Rose Ann Vuich Hearing Room.
California State Senate
The California State Senate is the upper house of the California State Legislature. There are 40 state senators. The state legislature meets in the California State Capitol in Sacramento. The Lieutenant Governor is the ex officio President of the Senate and may break a tied vote...
from 1977 until 1993. She was the first female member of the California State Senate.
By profession, Vuich was a farmer and tax accountant from Dinuba, California
Dinuba, California
Dinuba is a city in Tulare County, California, United States. The population was 21,453 at the 2010 census. It is part of the Visalia Metropolitan Statistical Area according to the United States Census Bureau...
. Not many initially took notice when she ran for a vacant state Senate seat in 1976, as the area voted Republican in most elections. However, she scored one of the biggest upsets in the state that year when she narrowly defeated Ernest Mobley, a 10 year Republican Assemblyman, in the general election.
Vuich quickly became popular in her conservative district for her unassuming manner and her political independence. She broke with her party on agricultural and law enforcement issues on several occasions. Her Democratic colleagues tolerated that because of the conservative constituency she represented. However, she was willing to stand up to conservatives, angering popular Republican Governor George Deukmejian
George Deukmejian
Courken George Deukmejian, Jr. born June 6, 1928) is an Armenian American politician from California who as a Republican served as the 35th Governor of California and as California Attorney General .-Early life:...
in 1989 when she voted against confirming his chosen appointee for state Treasurer when the post became vacant http://online.ceb.com/calcases/C3/45C3d727.htm.
Vuich would ring a bell whenever her fellow Senators addressed the collective members of the Senate as "Gentlemen," to remind them that the chamber was no longer exclusively male.
Vuich retired from politics in 1992. One of her former staffers, Cal Dooley
Cal Dooley
Calvin M. "Cal" Dooley , American politician, was a Democratic member of the United States House of Representatives from 1991 to 2005, representing the 17th and 20th districts of California....
, later became a United States Representative from Hanford, California
Hanford, California
Hanford is an important commercial and cultural center in the south central San Joaquin Valley and is the county seat of Kings County, California. It is the principal city of the Hanford-Corcoran, California Metropolitan Statistical Area , which encompasses all of Kings County, including the cities...
from 1991 until 2005.
The Rose Anne Vuich Ethical Leadership Award is presented annually by the Kenneth L. Maddy Institute at California State University, Fresno
California State University, Fresno
California State University, Fresno, often referred to as Fresno State University and synonymously known in athletics as Fresno State , is one of the leading campuses of the California State University system, located at the northeast edge of Fresno, California, USA.The campus sits at the foot of...
to a person who has demonstrated "integrity, strength of character, exemplary ethical behavior, ability to build consensus, serving the public interest and vision for enhancing the community." Recipients of the Vuich Award include: Juan Arambula
Juan Arambula
Juan Arambula is a former California State Assemblyman. He represented the 31st district. Arambula was elected to the Assembly in 2004. Arambula had announced that he would retire in 2008; however, he decided to run for his last term. He was a Democrat until June 2009, when he became an independent...
(2002) and Cal Dooley (2004).
The interchange of State Route 41 and State Route 180 in Fresno, California
Fresno, California
Fresno is a city in central California, United States, the county seat of Fresno County. As of the 2010 census, the city's population was 510,365, making it the fifth largest city in California, the largest inland city in California, and the 34th largest in the nation...
is named the Rose Ann Vuich Interchange, and in 2006, Hearing Room 2040 at the California State Capitol
California State Capitol
The California State Capitol is home to the government of California. The building houses the bicameral state legislature and the office of the governor....
was renamed the Rose Ann Vuich Hearing Room.