John Vasconcellos family and friends said good-bye last Saturday. For 38 years he represented Silicon Valley in the legislature, fighting for the under served, and seeking to live an authentic life worthy of the talents he possessed and inspiring others to take up that same challenge. To paraphrase Frank Sinatra, he did it his way.
Brian Murphy, a longtime friend and adviser, set the tone for the event. He reminded us that John was comfortable utilizing power for good. He had over 15 pages of accomplishments that were a result of John’s work in the legislature. As he served as the powerful Ways and Means chair in the Assembly, nary a bill of significance did not have his imprint. As a Senator, and dean of the California State Legislature, he became its conscience.
Murphy noted that most of John’s obituaries focused on his eccentricities, his role in bringing psychology to the forefront of public policy, Doonsberry’s parody of him for his self-esteem task force, his support for medical marijuana and other interesting aspects of his character. But much of the substance of Vasconcellos legacy was overlooked, his commitment to education, his writing of the Master Plan for Higher Education, and his absolute knowledge and mastery of the California budget.
Mitch Saunders, John’s chosen son, spoke of his true legacy. The people he inspired and mentored. Saunders had those at the memorial stand-up in the various capacities in John’s life. He spoke of John’s ability to bring solutions to people by appealing to their own self-interest
In a poignant story, Mitch told of how he helped John through the final chapter of his life. A difficult process and how the two helped each other complete the necessary and painful task of dying. For those of us who witnessed the last few weeks and moments of John’s life, his courage and grace will stay with us forever. With his beloved multiple families present, Mitch took on the leadership role none of us relished. It was example of a best bad ending anyone could hope.
But John will never really die so long as those of us who were inspired by his presence exist and pass his life lessons on to others. It is we who are the true Vasconcellos Legacy Project.
Megan Saunders who knew John from birth explained his influence on her. How he reveled at her authenticity as a child, how he supported her and became her friend and ally. She noted that John talked to children as if they were actual people, he valued them as human beings in their own right and did not dismiss them for lack of age. This lesson was learned well as Megan now works with Autistic children and is working to become a teacher. John’s influence was evident in her remarks and he would have been very proud.
Dr. Mark Conant spoke of John’s leadership in combating the AIDS crisis and his keen insight. It was Conant who testified as an expert on the issue and noticed a growth on John’s nose. It was melanoma, and the early detection prolonged John’s life.
Mike Fox Sr. spoke of John’s ambivalence, nay rejection, of original sin and the tenants of the Catholic Church. He noted John’s view of ‘original grace’ as opposed to ‘original sin’. That philosophy guided Vasconcellos life. He believed that people at their core were good. It is a deeply held theme of John’s life, Governor Jerry Brown alluded to it in his remarks of the charismatic legislator in Sacramento last week. The Governor noted that even though they were “kindred spirits” on many policy matters and in their Jesuit upbringing, they were divided by their view of humankind. The Governor noted, it was he who had the darker view.
John would have agreed and appreciated that acknowledgement.
It would be remiss, at this point, if I did not speak of the huge role John played in my own life. For 35 years he has been my mentor, friend, counselor and, indeed, father. When I was visiting him in the hospital and I was helping the nurses turn his large, though shrinking frame; as he could no longer manage that simple task by himself; one of them asked me, “are you his son?”
Instinctively, I answered “yes”. John, who was in obvious and terrible pain, smiled. For 35 years he has showed me that it is possible to be honest, authentic and human in politics. In fact, it is the only prescription for long term success in the public arena. He gave me my first big break when I was 22 years old, by hiring me as his campaign manager. Later, I served on his staff in Sacramento and finally became his political consultant in the only “tough” campaign he encountered when he ran for the State Senate for the first time.
Truth be told, the polling showed a monkey could have run that race and John would have won easily. It was not my strategy, tactics, messages, or commercials that brought him victory. John had developed a relationship and reputation within Santa Clara County that would have allowed him to win that campaign without spending a dime. But he did campaign, because he never took that constituency, who loved him, for granted.
But it was our personal relationship that meant the most to me. Brian Murphy’s son Galen summed it up when he told his dad, “he believed in me, completely.” That is the gift John gave to Galen, a talented actor and singer. It is the greatest gift he gave to me.
Even during hard times, John was there and his commitment never wavered. When others could disappoint, John would not. Certainly we had disagreements over policy, but he was usually right. But that I was wrong was never held against me personally. In fact, as with Megan, he reveled in my authenticity and self-confidence. He prodded me to think more, act with passion and never let fear determine my future.
There are many stories of John, which I will share in the future. His memory will live on for and with me forever. Even as he was sick, he challenged me to do more—not easy things—he wants me (ie. us) to end global warming, he has a friend I need to contact who can help with California’s water shortage, and I need to work with Brian and Mitch to insure the Politics of Trust, a philosophy I’ve embraced for over 35 years and continue to advance. It will be my task to live a life worthy of my own talents and to serve humanity.
Rich Robinson is a political strategist and communications consultant.
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