George Moscone
37th Mayor of San Francisco
In office January 8, 1976 – November 27, 1978
Preceded by	Joseph Alioto
Succeeded by	Dianne Feinstein
Member of the California State Senate from the 6th district
In office 1971 – 1976
Preceded by	(redistricted from 10th)
Succeeded by	John Francis Foran
Member of the California State Senate from the 10th district
In office 1967 – 1971
Preceded by	Harold Thomas Sedgwick
Succeeded by	(redistricted into 6th)
Born	November 24, 1929(1929-11-24) San Francisco, California
Died	November 27, 1978 (aged 49) San Francisco City Hall
Nationality	American
Political party	Democratic
Spouse	Gina Bodanza
Children	Jenifer, Rebecca, Christopher and Jonathan
Profession	attorney
Religion	Roman Catholic

George Richard Moscone (November 24, 1929–November 27, 1978) (pronounced /mɒsˈkoʊni/) was an American attorney and Democratic politician. The Mayor of the City and County of San Francisco is the head of the government of San Francisco, California. For the current California politician (Joseph Alioto's grandson see Joe Alioto Veronese. Dianne Goldman Berman Feinstein (ˈfаɪnˌstаɪn (born June 22, 1933) is the senior U The California State Senate is the upper house of the California State Legislature. The California State Senate is the upper house of the California State Legislature. Events 380 - Theodosius I makes his adventus, or formal Year 1929 ( MCMXXIX) was a Common year starting on Tuesday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. The City and County of San Francisco is the fourth most populous city California ( is a US state on the West Coast of the United States, along the Pacific Ocean. Events 1095 - Pope Urban II declares the First Crusade at the Council of Clermont Year 1978 ( MCMLXXVIII) was a Common year starting on Sunday (link displays the 1978 Gregorian calendar) The City Hall of San Francisco, California opened in 1915 in its open space area in the city's Civic Center, is a Beaux-Arts monument to the brief " The United States of America —commonly referred to as the The Democratic Party is one of two major Political parties in the United States, the other being the Republican Party. An attorney at law (or attorney-at-law) in the United States is a practitioner in a court of law who is legally qualified to prosecute Events 380 - Theodosius I makes his adventus, or formal Year 1929 ( MCMXXIX) was a Common year starting on Tuesday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Events 1095 - Pope Urban II declares the First Crusade at the Council of Clermont Year 1978 ( MCMLXXVIII) was a Common year starting on Sunday (link displays the 1978 Gregorian calendar) The United States of America —commonly referred to as the The Democratic Party is one of two major Political parties in the United States, the other being the Republican Party. He was the mayor of San Francisco, California, USA from January 1976 until his assassination in November 1978. See also Mayor of San Francisco The City and County of San Francisco is the fourth most populous city California ( is a US state on the West Coast of the United States, along the Pacific Ocean. The United States of America —commonly referred to as the Moscone served in the California State Senate from 1967 until becoming Mayor. In the Senate, he served as Majority Leader. In US politics, the majority leader is a partisan position in a legislative body

Background

Moscone was born in San Francisco, California. The City and County of San Francisco is the fourth most populous city California ( is a US state on the West Coast of the United States, along the Pacific Ocean. His father was a San Quentin State Prison guard and his mother a homemaker. San Quentin State Prison is located on 432 acres (17 km² on Point San Quentin in Marin County, California, United States, north of San Francisco Homemaker is a mainly American term which may refer either to the person within a family who is primarily concerned with the management of the household whether Moscone attended University of the Pacific and then Hastings College of the Law, where he received his law degree. The University of the Pacific is a private university in Stockton California, originally affiliated with the United Methodist Church. University of California Hastings College of the Law is a top tier Law school located in the Civic Center of San Francisco California. While in college, Moscone befriended John Burton, who would later become a US Congressman. John Burton may refer to John Burton (actor John Burton (fundraiser John Burton (musician John The United States House of Representatives is one of the two chambers of the United States Congress; the other is the Senate. During this time Moscone also met and married his wife, Gina Bondanza. The Moscones would go on to have four children.

Career

Early politics

John Burton's brother, Phillip, a member of the California State Assembly recruited Moscone to run for an Assembly seat in 1960 as a Democrat. John Burton may refer to John Burton (actor John Burton (fundraiser John Burton (musician John For the Human Nature bandmate see Human Nature (band. Phillip Burton ( June 1 1926 – April 10 The California State Assembly is the Lower house of the California State Legislature. The Democratic Party is one of two major Political parties in the United States, the other being the Republican Party. Though he lost that race, Moscone would go on to win a seat on the San Francisco Board of Supervisors in 1963. The San Francisco Board of Supervisors is the legislature of the City and County of San Francisco, California. On the Board, Moscone was known for his defense of the poor, racial minorities and small business owners.

California State Senator

In 1966 Moscone ran for and won a seat in the California State Senate, representing the 10th District in San Francisco County. The California State Senate is the upper house of the California State Legislature. ^[1] Moscone was quickly rising through the ranks of the California Democratic Party and became closely associated with a loose alliance of progressive politicians in San Francisco led by the Burton brothers. The California Democratic Party is the local branch of the Democratic Party in the state of California. Progressivism is a term that refers to a broad school of international social and political philosophies. This alliance was known as the Burton Machine and included John Burton, Phillip Burton, and Assemblyman Willie Brown. Willie Lewis Brown Jr (born March 20, 1934) served over thirty years in the California State Assembly, fifteen years as its Speaker and afterwards Soon after his election to the State Senate, Moscone was elected by his party to serve as Majority Leader. He was reelected to the 10th District seat in 1970 and to the newly redistricted 6th District seat, representing parts of San Francisco and San Mateo Counties, in 1974. San Mateo County ( "san muh-TAY-o") ( Spanish for: St He successfully sponsored legislation to institute a school lunch program for California students. A school dinner is a Meal (usually Dinner or Lunch) provided to Students at a School. In 1974 Moscone briefly considered a run for governor of California, but dropped out after a short time in favor of California Secretary of State Jerry Brown. A governor is a governing official usually the executive (at least nominally to different degrees also politically and administratively of a non-sovereign level of government The Secretary of State of California is the chief elections officer of that U Edmund Gerald "Jerry" Brown Jr (born April 7, 1938) is the current Attorney General and former governor of the State of

As a heterosexual, Moscone was considered ahead of his time as an early proponent of gay rights. Lesbian Gay Bisexual and Transgender social movements share related goals of social acceptance of Homosexuality, Bisexuality and Transgenderism Lesbian Because of his unwillingness to compromise on his position, he is an iconic martyr to the GLBT community. The term martyr ( Greek μάρτυς martys "witness" is most commonly used today to describe an individual who sacrifices their life (or personal freedom LGBT (also GLBT) is an initialism referring collectively to Lesbian, Gay, bisexual, and Transgender / transsexual

In conjunction with his friend and ally in the Assembly, Willie Brown, Moscone managed to pass a bill repealing California's sodomy law. Sodomy (ˈsɒdəmi is a term used today predominantly in Law (derived from traditional Christian usage to describe the act of Anal intercourse, Oral intercourse The repeal was signed into law by California Governor Jerry Brown.

Mayor of San Francisco

Moscone decided in 1975 to run for Mayor of San Francisco. In a close race in November of that year, Moscone placed first with conservative city supervisor John Barbagelata second and moderate supervisor Dianne Feinstein coming in third. Conservatism is a term used to describe political philosophies that favour Tradition, where tradition refers to various religious cultural or nationally defined Dianne Goldman Berman Feinstein (ˈfаɪnˌstаɪn (born June 22, 1933) is the senior U Moscone and Barbagelata thus both advanced to the mandated runoff election in December where Moscone narrowly defeated the conservative supervisor. Progressives also won the city's other top executive offices that year as Joseph Freitas was elected District Attorney and Richard Hongisto was re-elected to his office of Sheriff. A district attorney (DA is in some US jurisdictions the title of the local public official who represents the government in the prosecution of alleged criminals Richard D Hongisto (b 1937 Bovey Minnesota, d 2004 was a businessman politician Sheriff and Police chief of San Francisco California SHERIFF is a telecom fraud detection and management system originally developed by BT and MCI. Moscone's first year as Mayor was spent preventing the San Francisco Giants professional baseball team from moving to another city and advocating a city-wide ballot proposition in favor of district election to the Board of Supervisors. The San Francisco Giants are a Major League Baseball team based in, that currently play in the National League West Division. Baseball is a Bat-and-ball Sport played between two teams of nine players each Moscone was the first mayor to appoint large numbers of women, gays and lesbians and racial minorities to city commissions and advisory boards. One of his most controversial appointments was that of the Reverend Jim Jones, head of the Peoples Temple, to the city's Housing Commission. James Warren "Jim" Jones (May 13 1931 &ndash November 18 1978 was the American founder of the Peoples Temple, which is best known for the November 18 1978 Peoples Temple was an organization founded in 1955 by Jim Jones that by the mid-1970s possessed over a dozen locations in California including its headquarters in San The People's Temple would later be discovered to be a thinly-veiled cult headed by the demagogic and mentally unstable Jones. Moscone also appointed liberal former Oakland Police Chief Charles Gain to head the San Francisco Police Department. Oakland (ˈoʊklənd founded in 1852 is the eighth-largest city in the U Gain (and by extension Moscone) became highly unpopular among rank and file San Francisco police officers for proposing a settlement to a lawsuit brought by minorities claiming discriminatory recruiting practices by the police force. In law a lawsuit is a civil action brought before a Court in which the party commencing the action the Plaintiff, seeks a legal or equitable remedy

During his tenure, Moscone adamantly opposed the construction of the proposed Yerba Buena convention center, arguing that the massive structures would displace hundreds of longtime working class residents from the SOMA neighborhood. Yerba buena ( Clinopodium douglasii) is a rambling aromatic herb of western and northwestern North America, ranging from maritime Alaska southwards to Working class is a term used in academic Sociology and in ordinary conversation to describe depending on context and speaker those employed in specific fields or types "SoMa" redirects here For the SoMa in Vancouver see South Main. Ironically, the convention center, one of the largest in the United States, currently bears his name.

In 1977 Moscone, Freitas and Hongisto all easily survived a recall election pushed by defeated Moscone opponent John Barbagelata and business interests. A recall election is a procedure by which voters can remove an elected official from office That year also marked the passage of the district election system by San Francisco voters. The city's first district elections for Board of Supervisors took place in November of 1977. Among those elected were the city's first openly gay Supervisor, Harvey Milk, single mother and attorney Carol Ruth Silver, Chinese-American Gordon Lau and conservative fireman and former police officer Dan White. Harvey Bernard Milk (May 22 1930 – November 27 1978 was an American politician and the first openly gay man to be elected to public office in California as a member of the Daniel James "Dan" White ( September 2, 1946 – October 21, 1985) was a former Democratic San Francisco supervisor Milk, Silver, and Lau along with John Molinari and Robert Gonzales made up Moscone's allies on the Board, while Dan White, Dianne Feinstein, Quentin Kopp, Ella Hill Hutch, Lee Dolson, and Ron Pelosi formed a loosely organized coalition to oppose Moscone and his initiatives. Daniel James "Dan" White ( September 2, 1946 – October 21, 1985) was a former Democratic San Francisco supervisor Dianne Goldman Berman Feinstein (ˈfаɪnˌstаɪn (born June 22, 1933) is the senior U Quentin Lewis Kopp (born 1928 in Syracuse New York) is an American Politician from California and retired Judge. Ronald Pelosi is the Brother-in-law of Speaker of the U S House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi. Feinstein was elected President of the Board of Supervisors on a 6-5 vote, with Moscone's supporters backing Lau. It was generally believed that Feinstein, having twice lost election to the office of mayor would support Kopp against Moscone in the 1979 election and retire rather than run for the Board again.

Support for Jim Jones and the Peoples Temple

Moscone was a supporter of controversial Bay Area political figure Jim Jones. James Warren "Jim" Jones (May 13 1931 &ndash November 18 1978 was the American founder of the Peoples Temple, which is best known for the November 18 1978 During the difficult 1975 Mayoral election, Moscone held a meeting with Jones and Peoples Temple member Mike Prokes requesting Peoples Temple volunteers for campaign work. Peoples Temple was an organization founded in 1955 by Jim Jones that by the mid-1970s possessed over a dozen locations in California including its headquarters in San ^[2] After work by the Peoples Temple and votes by Temple members were instrumental in deliverying a close victory for Moscone, Moscone appointed Jones as Chairman of the San Francisco Housing Commission. ^[3] Moscone attended functions at the Peoples Temple, including the 1976 testimonial dinner for Jim Jones. ^[4]

After Jim Jones fled to Guyana following an article published in New West magazine alleging criminal wrongdoing, Moscone's office issued a press release stating "The Mayor's Office does not and will not conduct any investigation" because the article was "a series of allegations with absolutely no hard evidence that the Rev. Jones has violated any laws, either local, state or federal. "^[2]

Assassination

Main article: Moscone-Milk assassinations

Late in 1978, Dan White resigned from the Board of Supervisors. Daniel James "Dan" White ( September 2, 1946 – October 21, 1985) was a former Democratic San Francisco supervisor His resignation meant that Moscone would choose White's successor, and thus could tip the Board's balance of power in Moscone's favor. Recognizing this, those who supported a more conservative agenda talked White into changing his mind. Conservatism is a term used to describe political philosophies that favour Tradition, where tradition refers to various religious cultural or nationally defined White requested that Moscone re-appoint him to his former seat.

Moscone originally indicated a willingness to consider, but more liberal city leaders, including Milk, lobbied him against the idea, and Moscone ultimately decided not to re-appoint White. Liberalism is a broad array of related ideas and theories of Government that consider individual Liberty to be the most important political goal On November 27, 1978, White went to San Francisco City Hall to meet with Moscone and make a final plea for re-appointment. Events 1095 - Pope Urban II declares the First Crusade at the Council of Clermont Year 1978 ( MCMLXXVIII) was a Common year starting on Sunday (link displays the 1978 Gregorian calendar) When Moscone uttered his famous final words, "I'm sorry Dan, what's right isn't always popular, and what's popular isn't always right. My decision is final. " White shot and killed Moscone, then went to Milk's office and shot him dead as well.

Dianne Feinstein, President of the Board of Supervisors, was sworn in as the city's new mayor and in the following years would emerge as one of California's most prominent politicians. Dianne Goldman Berman Feinstein (ˈfаɪnˌstаɪn (born June 22, 1933) is the senior U

White later turned himself in at the police station where he was formerly an officer. Years later White confessed to having premeditated on the killings, and also confessed to planning to shoot two others as well, one being Assemblyman Willie Brown, who later became Mayor of San Francisco. Willie Lewis Brown Jr (born March 20, 1934) served over thirty years in the California State Assembly, fifteen years as its Speaker and afterwards The term "Twinkie defense" has its origins in the murder trial that followed, in which Dan White was convicted of the lesser crime of manslaughter. In Jurisprudence, " Twinkie defense " is a derisive label for a criminal Defendant 's claims that some unusual biological factor entered into the causes or

While Bay Area Congressman Leo Ryan (a friend of Moscone), NBC reporter Don Harris and two others died in the tragedy at Jonestown only nine days before Moscone's murder, no connection between shooter Dan White and the Peoples Temple has ever been proven. Leo Joseph Ryan Jr (May 5 1925&ndashNovember 18 1978 was an American politician of the Democratic Party. Peoples Temple was an organization founded in 1955 by Jim Jones that by the mid-1970s possessed over a dozen locations in California including its headquarters in San

Legacy

Moscone is interred at Holy Cross Cemetery in Colma, California. Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery in Colma California is an American Roman Catholic cemetery operated by the Archdiocese of San Francisco. Colma is a small incorporated town in San Mateo County California, at the northern end of the San Francisco Peninsula His grave often has a Rainbow flag present, and new flags are placed there every November 27. A rainbow flag is a multi-colored flag consisting of stripes in the colors of the Rainbow. Today, both he and Milk are mourned as martyrs of the gay rights movement. The term martyr ( Greek μάρτυς martys "witness" is most commonly used today to describe an individual who sacrifices their life (or personal freedom

Moscone Center, San Francisco's largest convention center and exhibition hall, and Moscone Recreation Center are named in his honor. The Moscone Center is the largest convention and exhibition complex in San Francisco California. Moscone Recreation Center is a park located between Chestnut Street and Bay Street Laguna Street and Webster Street in San Francisco 's Marina District.

Moscone and Milk also have two schools named after them. George Moscone Elementary and Harvey Milk Elementary.

In 1980, sculptor Robert Arneson was commissioned to create a monument to Moscone to be installed in the new Moscone Convention Center. Robert Carston Arneson (1930-1992 was an American sculptor and professor of ceramics in the Art department at UC Davis for four decades The bust portraying Moscone was done in Arneson's typically crude and expressionistic style and was considered acceptable by San Francisco's Art Commission. However, the pedestal which the former Mayor's head rested on was deemed inappropriate and Arneson was asked to change it. At issue were references to Harvey Milk, the assassinations, the "Twinkie Defense," the White Night Riots, and Dianne Feinstein's mayoral succession that Arneson had included on the surface of the pedestal. Harvey Bernard Milk (May 22 1930 – November 27 1978 was an American politician and the first openly gay man to be elected to public office in California as a member of the In Jurisprudence, " Twinkie defense " is a derisive label for a criminal Defendant 's claims that some unusual biological factor entered into the causes or The White Night Riots were a series of violent events stemming from the sentencing of Dan White, which was deemed lenient by many for the assassinations of San Dianne Goldman Berman Feinstein (ˈfаɪnˌstаɪn (born June 22, 1933) is the senior U Arneson refused to make alterations to the work, returned the commission, and later resold the sculpture.

In popular culture

• The Dead Kennedys' version of "I Fought the Law" contains numerous references to Moscone's murder. ^[5]

References

• Wolfgang Saxon. "George Moscone, a Firm Mayor Who Stressed Anticrime Effort. " The New York Times. November 28, 1978. For the town in Argentina, see 28 de Noviembre. Events Year 1978 ( MCMLXXVIII) was a Common year starting on Sunday (link displays the 1978 Gregorian calendar) B12.
• Wallace Turner. "San Francisco Mayor is Slain; City Supervisor Also Killed; Ex-Official Gives Up to Police. " The New York Times. November 28, 1978. For the town in Argentina, see 28 de Noviembre. Events Year 1978 ( MCMLXXVIII) was a Common year starting on Sunday (link displays the 1978 Gregorian calendar) A1

See also

• List of assassinated American politicians