FORA.tv Speaker - Art Torres

Senator Art Torres (Ret.) was elected Chairman of the California Democratic Party in 1996. He was appointed to finish the term vacated by Bill Press in 1995. He ran unopposed in 2001 and was elected by unanimous approval of the body. Senator Torres is widely credited for helping return the CDP to a position of national prominence and power. Senator Torres served twenty years in the California State Legislature, eight as an Assembly member and twelve as a State Senator. As Chairman of the Insurance Committee, he fostered a balance between industry and consumer concerns. During his legislative tenure he was also Chairman of the Assembly Health Committee, Senate Joint Committee on Science and Technology and Senate Committee on the Entertainment Industry.