South Coast Air Quality Management District Governing Board Chairman William A. Burke has been appointed to the California Air Resources Board by Gov. Gray Davis.
Burke -- who has served on AQMD’s Board since 1993 as the Speaker of the Assembly’s appointee – now will represent the South Coast district on the state Air Resources Board, while continuing to serve as AQMD Chairman.
"I want to thank Gov. Davis for appointing me to this position," said Burke upon his appointment. "I’m looking forward to working with him and the members of the Air Resources Board as I represent the residents of the South Coast District at the state level.
"It’s important that the state’s most polluted area have energetic representation on the state board. I’ll do my best to provide that, as well as the balance needed for steadily cleaner air and stable economic growth."
In his tenure as chairman of AQMD’s Board, Burke has championed several innovative programs. In 1997, he introduced AQMD’s Environmental Justice Initiatives, which have become a model for the nation. Under the initiatives, AQMD has made several strides, including:
The plan outlines numerous measures, including gradual conversion of the region’s transit buses, school buses, trash trucks and other diesel-powered public vehicles to clean fuels to help reduce levels of cancer-causing diesel particulate.
Burke also introduced the Children’s Agenda program in December 1998 to help protect youths from exposure to air pollution. The program includes:
Most recently, Burke has proposed a series of initiatives to help protect the region’s senior citizens against air pollution. These initiatives envision such measures as:
Burke joined AQMD’s Board in September 1993. He was elected Vice Chairman in December 1994 and Chairman in August 1997. He was re-elected chairman in August 1999.
Burke is a long-time resident of Los Angeles County and is Founder and President of the City of Los Angeles Marathon.
He holds a doctorate in education from the University of Massachusetts, an honorary doctorate of laws from Lane College and a B.S. from Miami University.
After graduating from Miami University, Burke served in the U.S. Air Force as Deputy Commander of Armed Forces. He served as Deputy Los Angeles City Councilman from 1966 to 1969 and has served as President of both the Fish and Game Commission and Wildlife Conservation Board.
He has private sector experience in the home health care and mining industries.
Burke is a member of the Board of the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation and has won numerous awards.
He is married to Los Angeles County Supervisor Yvonne Brathwaite Burke and has two daughters, Christine and Autumn. His hobbies are fishing and tennis.
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