Post-Quake, Berman Got Help for Valley

The Almanac of American Politics describes Rep. Howard Berman (D-Panorama City) as “one of the most aggressive and creative members of the House--and one of the most clear-sighted operators in American politics.”

Closer to home, folks know him for putting those qualities to work to deliver millions in federal aid to the San Fernando Valley after the 1994 Northridge earthquake.

Berman himself described the effort as perhaps exceeding what he had done for his constituents in the last 12 years, not that he had ignored local issues before, including putting more police on the streets here.

First elected to Congress in 1982 after a stint in the state Assembly, Berman, 56, is known mostly for his foreign-policy work and his championing of Israel. Also a key player in immigration policy, he was a major force in getting a law passed that requires the federal government to repay states and local governments for housing prisoners who are in the country illegally.

Berman’s 26th Congressional District originally included the Hollywood Hills, but the 1992 reapportionment made it strictly a northeast Valley district.

The change has not affected Berman’s electoral dominance. In the 1996 election, he handily defeated his Republican opponent.

Berman, who holds a bachelor’s and a law degree from UCLA, flirted with the idea of running for mayor of Los Angeles this year, but decided to stay in the House, disappointing his wife, Janis, who openly favored a mayoral bid.

So, four years from now, who knows?