Dear Friend --

After serving nearly 30 years in public office and the last eight in the United States House of Representatives, Congressman Alan Lowenthal announced his well-deserved retirement earlier today. Since 2013 he has represented our city with distinction in Washington D.C. and has also served in the California State Senate, State Assembly, and on the Long Beach City Council.

Congressman Lowenthal has made our city and our nation stronger.

Education drew Congressman Lowenthal to Long Beach, having earned his Bachelor’s Degree from Hobart and William Smith Colleges and his Ph.D. from Ohio State University, Congressman Lowenthal moved to our city in 1969 where he taught Community Psychology at California State University, Long Beach until 1998. Since then, he has served Long Beach in nearly every way.

After working as a community activist for a number of years, Congressman Lowenthal ran for the Long Beach City Council in 1992 as one of our city’s first truly progressive elected officials—setting the stage for the incredible progress we have made to become one of the most vibrant, diverse and inclusive places in the country. He served as a City Councilmember for six years before being elected to State office. He continued his leadership in Sacramento, first serving three terms as a State Assemblymember and then two terms as a State Senator.

While in the State Legislature, Congressman Lowenthal used his experience as an educator to positively impact schools and champion the needs of our community. Through his leadership, he put students and their families first and was instrumental in championing the College Promise Partnership Act to help K-12 students better transition to college. He also secured the passage of the Student Success Act—both of which have expanded access to education and increased graduation rates for students across our community and across the state of California.

In Congress, he has served on the House Natural Resources Committee and the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. He is the Ranking Member of the Natural Resources Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources and has also served on the Federal Lands; Highways and Transit; Water Resources and Environment; and the Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation subcommittees.

Congressman Lowenthal’s impact has extended nationwide and has influenced policy to improve our infrastructure and ensure everyone has access to a clean environment. He has taken a leading role on groundbreaking climate change legislation since becoming elected to federal office and has been co-chair of the bipartisan Congressional Safe Climate Caucus since 2015.

Congressman Lowenthal has been a true leader in our community and I can’t thank him enough for his decades of service to the people of Long Beach.

Personally, I am grateful for Congressman Lowenthal’s friendship, mentorship, and commitment to Long Beach. I wish him all the best as he looks ahead and I hope you’ll join me in honoring his work by taking care of the city he has helped us build.

Thank you,

Mayor Robert Garcia