A Fighter for His District : Beilenson’s Record Should Be a Source of Inspiration to His Successor

On the vast majority of issues, Rep. Anthony C. Beilenson (D-Woodland Hills) has been an outstanding member of Congress. His coming retirement at the end of his current term represents a substantial loss to the 24th District, the California delegation and the nation as a whole.

Never a flashy, sound-bite lawmaker, Beilenson nonetheless became a key player in the House of Representatives. He was an author of the legislation that created the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area, and he never dropped the ball. During every budget cycle, Beilenson was there, fighting for the federal funds needed to make the park whole.

In 1989, long before the current debate on health care reform, Beilenson was calling for a new and balanced health care system.

In 1987, before the recent emphasis on the dangers of smoking and secondhand smoke, Beilenson pressed for an increase in cigarette taxes that could help offset the $65 billion the nation squandered every year in health-care costs and lost productivity.

In 1985, long before there was such strident and politically driven debate over cutting the federal deficit, Beilenson was pushing a simple, effective and relatively painless way to help balance the nation’s books: a gasoline tax that would produce substantial revenues.

More recently, Beilenson was the first San Fernando Valley lawmaker to come out firmly in favor of the North American Free Trade Agreement. In May, we cited Beilenson as one of five members of the state’s House delegation who still refused lavish gifts from lobbyists.

After the Northridge earthquake, Beilenson played a key role in helping Southern California receive the largest stateside disaster aid package in U.S. history. And when it became clear that condominium and home owners needed an extension in federal rental assistance because of lingering quake damage, Beilenson got it.

So don’t buy the sour-grapes harangue that has emanated from certain circles since Beilenson deservedly won reelection to the 24th District seat last year. The fact is that Beilenson’s successor will have big shoes to fill.