Augustus Freeman ‘Gus’ Hawkins, was born August 31, 1907 in Shreveport, Louisiana. A graduate of UCLA and a Democratic Party member from Los Angeles, was elected to the California State Assembly in 1934, succeeding Frederick M. Roberts. He chaired the Assembly’s powerful Rules Committee during his tenure in the Legislature. His legislative agenda reflected the importance he placed on education, civil rights, organized labor and fair practices in employment and housing. ‘Gus’ Hawkins served more than 20-years in the California State Assembly, and was subsequently elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1962. He retired from the House of Representatives in 1991, and died in 2007, at the age of 100.