Assemblyman 'Dick' Floyd authored motorcycle helmet bill
Published: Saturday, Aug. 13, 2011 - 12:00 am | Page 4B
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Richard E. "Dick" Floyd, a crusty, chain-smoking former assemblyman best known for carrying the legislation requiring motorcyclists to wear helmets, died at his Sacramento area home Thursday evening. He was 80.
Mr. Floyd, a combat veteran of the Korean War, was a longtime aide to Sen. Ralph Dills, D-Gardena, when he struck out on his own in 1980, winning an Assembly seat centered in south Los Angeles County and serving for 12 years.
Mr. Floyd's first Assembly stint – much of it as chairman of the committee that handled horse racing, gambling and liquor legislation – ended when his district's boundaries were changed and he lost a primary to a Democratic challenger in 1992. But he returned to the Assembly four years later when the seat reopened.
He was termed out in 2000. Mr. Floyd ran for the state Senate that year, but lost the primary.
The California Political Almanac in 1990 described Mr. Floyd as "easily the loudest, most profane member of the Legislature – and proud of it."
His motorcycle helmet bill survived strenuous opposition from two-wheel enthusiasts, who, in full leathers, often packed the Capitol.
Mr. Floyd, long divorced, died after a years-long bout with diabetes, friends said.
"He was one of the legendary figures of California politics, and the respect he commanded among his colleagues and constituents was unquestioned," Assembly Speaker John A. Pérez said in a statement. "He was an outspoken – sometimes notoriously so – advocate for those Californians whose voices are not always heard in government. Mr. Floyd was a passionate defender of all Californians."
Mr. Floyd is survived by two daughters, Lorene Floyd and Rikki Floyd, both of Southern California. Services are pending. - Bee Staff
Mr. Floyd, a combat veteran of the Korean War, was a longtime aide to Sen. Ralph Dills, D-Gardena, when he struck out on his own in 1980, winning an Assembly seat centered in south Los Angeles County and serving for 12 years.
Mr. Floyd's first Assembly stint – much of it as chairman of the committee that handled horse racing, gambling and liquor legislation – ended when his district's boundaries were changed and he lost a primary to a Democratic challenger in 1992. But he returned to the Assembly four years later when the seat reopened.
He was termed out in 2000. Mr. Floyd ran for the state Senate that year, but lost the primary.
The California Political Almanac in 1990 described Mr. Floyd as "easily the loudest, most profane member of the Legislature – and proud of it."
His motorcycle helmet bill survived strenuous opposition from two-wheel enthusiasts, who, in full leathers, often packed the Capitol.
Mr. Floyd, long divorced, died after a years-long bout with diabetes, friends said.
"He was one of the legendary figures of California politics, and the respect he commanded among his colleagues and constituents was unquestioned," Assembly Speaker John A. Pérez said in a statement. "He was an outspoken – sometimes notoriously so – advocate for those Californians whose voices are not always heard in government. Mr. Floyd was a passionate defender of all Californians."
Mr. Floyd is survived by two daughters, Lorene Floyd and Rikki Floyd, both of Southern California. Services are pending. - Bee Staff
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