February 29, 2004
Oakland , CA -- Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) today praised Chief of Staff Sandré Swanson for his 30 years of service to former Congressman Ron Dellums, Lee, and the 9th Congressional District. Swanson’s retirement is effective today.
For Dellums, Swanson served as a Legislative Aide, Press Secretary, Staff Assistant, and District Director. When Lee was elected in 1998, following Dellums’ retirement, she hired Swanson to be District Director. On May 1, 1999, Lee appointed Swanson to be Chief of Staff. In that position, Swanson managed the Washington, DC and the California district offices.
“Sandré has devoted his career to ensuring that the voices of constituents were always heard and that their interests, values, and beliefs were firmly upheld and faithfully represented,” said Lee. “He has been a mentor and has served as effective counsel, whose sound logic and wisdom I trust.”
Among the highlights of his career, Swanson served as Campaign Manager for Judge Lionel Wilson’s 1976 mayoral campaign. Under Swanson’s direction, Wilson won the race, making him Oakland’s first African American mayor.
In 1990, Swanson orchestrated the arrangements for the visit of recently-released Nelson Mandela to Oakland in 1990. On that day, Swanson was responsible for accommodating the 60,000 people who came to the Oakland Coliseum to hear Mandela. Swanson was also managed a fund-raising dinner with Mandela that evening to benefit the Free South Africa movement. The money raised that night provided the largest contribution for the Free South Africa movement during Mandela’s entire United States tour.
During the last decade, Swanson spearheaded the 9th Congressional District’s military base conversion effort, weaving together the coalition of jurisdictions and entities necessary to convert the Alameda County bases into civilian use. Swanson served as the Vice-Chairman for the Alameda Reuse and Redevelopment Authority and Commissioner on the Oakland Base Authority.
Swanson has served as Chairman and is currently a trustee for the Alameda County Employees’ Retirement Association. He is also the Vice-Chairman of the City of Alameda’s Golf Commission.
On March 20, a gala tribute honouring Swanson and hosted by Dellums and Lee will be held at Oakland’s Marriott Hotel.
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Congresswoman Barbara Lee Honors Long-time Aide Sandré Swanson on His Retirement
Swanson Retires Today after 30 years of Service
Oakland , CA -- Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) today praised Chief of Staff Sandré Swanson for his 30 years of service to former Congressman Ron Dellums, Lee, and the 9th Congressional District. Swanson’s retirement is effective today.
For Dellums, Swanson served as a Legislative Aide, Press Secretary, Staff Assistant, and District Director. When Lee was elected in 1998, following Dellums’ retirement, she hired Swanson to be District Director. On May 1, 1999, Lee appointed Swanson to be Chief of Staff. In that position, Swanson managed the Washington, DC and the California district offices.
“Sandré has devoted his career to ensuring that the voices of constituents were always heard and that their interests, values, and beliefs were firmly upheld and faithfully represented,” said Lee. “He has been a mentor and has served as effective counsel, whose sound logic and wisdom I trust.”
Among the highlights of his career, Swanson served as Campaign Manager for Judge Lionel Wilson’s 1976 mayoral campaign. Under Swanson’s direction, Wilson won the race, making him Oakland’s first African American mayor.
In 1990, Swanson orchestrated the arrangements for the visit of recently-released Nelson Mandela to Oakland in 1990. On that day, Swanson was responsible for accommodating the 60,000 people who came to the Oakland Coliseum to hear Mandela. Swanson was also managed a fund-raising dinner with Mandela that evening to benefit the Free South Africa movement. The money raised that night provided the largest contribution for the Free South Africa movement during Mandela’s entire United States tour.
During the last decade, Swanson spearheaded the 9th Congressional District’s military base conversion effort, weaving together the coalition of jurisdictions and entities necessary to convert the Alameda County bases into civilian use. Swanson served as the Vice-Chairman for the Alameda Reuse and Redevelopment Authority and Commissioner on the Oakland Base Authority.
Swanson has served as Chairman and is currently a trustee for the Alameda County Employees’ Retirement Association. He is also the Vice-Chairman of the City of Alameda’s Golf Commission.
On March 20, a gala tribute honouring Swanson and hosted by Dellums and Lee will be held at Oakland’s Marriott Hotel.
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