O.C. SUPERVISOR VASQUEZ STEPS DOWN : Key Dates in Vasquez’s Career

* 1972: As a 17-year-old Orange High School senior, elected “governor” of 35th annual Boy’s State convention in Sacramento; shares speaker’s platform with Gov. Ronald Reagan

* 1974: Receives associate of arts degree in administration of justice from Santa Ana College

* 1975: Hired as a police officer by city of Orange

* 1979: Leaves Orange Police Department to become Riverside community relations coordinator

* June, 1980: Receives bachelor’s degree in public service management from University of Redlands

* December, 1980: Becomes aide to Orange County Supervisor Bruce Nestande; begins serving on Orange Planning Commission

* October, 1984: Runs unsuccessfully for Orange City Council; fired as planning commissioner by incumbent council members he opposed

* December, 1984: Leaves Nestande’s office to become community relations officer for Southern California Edison

* 1985: Hired as Gov. George Deukmejian’s liaison with Latino community; later becomes deputy appointments secretary

* 1986: Named one of most influential Latinos in the United States by Hispanic Business Magazine

* 1987: Becomes Orange County’s first Latino supervisor when appointed by Deukmejian to fill position vacated by Nestande resignation

* June, 1988: Runs for election as supervisor and wins

* August, 1988: Addresses Republican National Convention on night President George Bush is nominated

* April, 1989: Organizes Latino Elected and Appointed Officials of Orange County to expand county’s Latino political base

* May, 1989: Considers and then backs off run for California secretary of state

* September, 1989: Addresses House Select Committee on Children, Youth and Families during hearings on Latino families

* 1990: Named to six-member delegation representing President Bush at inauguration of Uruguay’s new head of state after country’s first free election in 18 years

* 1991: Invited by Republic of Armenia to serve as an official observer during its election for independence from former Soviet Union

* 1992: Reelected to second four-year term

* 1993: Forges power-sharing agreement with South County cities regarding El Toro Marine Corps Air Station redevelopment

* 1994: Criticized by both sides of campaign for his silence on Proposition 187, a controversial initiative that withholds social benefits and public education from illegal immigrants

* February, 1995: Orange County Business Council pressures Vasquez and two other supervisors who held office prior to Dec. 6, 1994 bankruptcy filing to resign or not seek reelection

* June 14, 1995: Announces he will not seek reelection

* July 13, 1995: Criticized as a “disappointment” by departing County Chief Executive Officer William J. Popejoy

* July 19, 1995: Faces recall attempt by Fullerton anti-tax activists angered by bankruptcy and his support of Measure R

* Aug. 7, 1995: Announces he will leave office Sept. 22, with 15 months left in his term

Source: Times reports

Researched by JANICE L. JONES / Los Angeles Times