Mello, Henry J.

Biography

A Watsonville native, Henry John Mello was born on March 27th, 1924, the child of an immigrant Portuguese family from the Azores. He attended Watsonville High School and Hartnell College in Salinas. With his father, he worked in the apple business, establishing a family farming business in 1940. Together they founded the Mello Packing Company in 1948, and the Central Industrial Sales Company in 1965. From the mid-1950's on Mello was involved in many local charitable and non-profit organizations. His initial foray into politics began in 1950 when he was a Democratic volunteer during the senate campaign between Richard M. Nixon and Helen Gahagan Douglas. Throughout the 1950's he worked on Democratic campaigns, and was elected to the Democratic Central Committee. His local public service career began when he served as a member of the California Agricultural Advisory Board and as a fire commissioner.

His political career began in earnest in 1966 when he was elected to the Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors, where he served until 1974. In 1976 he was elected to the State Assembly representing the 28th district. As a moderate Democrat he served two terms, until 1980, in what was then a nominally Republican district. In the Assembly he began his long involvement in senior issues as chairman of the standing Committee on Aging, and also became an influential member of the Ways and Means Committee.

He was elected to the State Senate in 1980 in what was then the 17th (after 1993 the 15th) District, and as a freshman senator was appointed to the Senate Rules Committee (1983-1992) and elected Majority Whip (1981-1992), two of that body's most powerful leadership positions. In 1992 he was elected Majority Leader. During his tenure as State Senator, Mello had a singular legislative record, frequently having more bills signed into law than any other senator. His legacy includes a remarkable legislative record in initiating senior citizens programs, an innovative arts and corrections program (arts in the prisons), bilingual education, and statewide economic development. During his tenure, Mello carried 727 bills and resolutions, of which 456 were signed by the governor and the remainder integrated into other bills or vetoed. He authored over 120 bills dealing with seniors, including the establishment of the California Senior Legislature, the first programs focusing on Alzheimers that included respite care, adult day health care, and Multipurpose Senior Services Programs, as well as inititating important changes in laws affecting conservatorship and elder abuse, funding for senior meals programs, and nursing home reform. He is held in high regard by seniors throughout the state for his work in their behalf. Mello was term-limited out of office in December, 1996. As a former Watsonville Man of the Year, Henry J. Mello continues to live on the Central Coast as a farmer and businessman.

From the guide to the Henry J. Mello Papers, 1975-1996, (University of California, Santa Cruz. University Library. Special Collections)