Leon D. Ralph, was born in 1932, in Richmond, Virginia.  A Democrat and University of Redlands graduate, Leon Ralph represented South Los Angeles in the Assembly. He served in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean War.  When he returned, he settled in Los Angeles where he worked in aerospace for Douglas Aircraft.   He pursued politics by his participation in the John F. Kennedy Presidential Campaign.  He became an administrative assistant for Assembly Speaker Jesse Unruh.  He was elected to serve in the Assembly in 1966, and during his tenure was appointed Chair of the powerful Assembly Rules Committee. He championed causes for poor, disenfranchised constituents. He focused his legislative efforts on education, civil rights and business interests. As Rules Committee Chairman, he oversaw the multi-million dollar restoration of the Historic State Capitol Building in Sacramento. Assemblymember Leon Ralph was active in California’s Democratic Party leadership and a political force during his tenure in the Assembly.  In 1976, after a spiritual transformation, he left the legislature and founded the International Denominational Church of God of America.  Leon Ralph died February 2007.  He was 75 years old.