Ralph C. Dills, a native of Texas and at the time (1939) of his successful candidacy for a seat representing the Sixty-ninth Assembly District a public school teacher, has served as assemblyman (1929-1949), justice of the peace and municipal judge (1949-1966), and state senator (1967-1990). His brother, Clayton A. Dills, served in the California State Assembly from 1943 to 1966. Ralph Dills's principal legislative interest has been to protect, preserve, and expand California's public education system. His legislation has included bills to create such institutions as El Camino Community College and California State University, Long Beach. He and other Los Angeles County legislators also created the foundation for a School of Law at the University of California, Los Angeles. In additioin to sponsoring numerous bills contributing to teacher collective bargaining and retirement systems, he authored landmark bills addressing waste management and promoting California tourism.
From the description of Oral History Interview with Ralph C. Dills, 1989. Transcript. / by Carlos Vasquez, University of California, Los Angeles for the State Government Oral History Program, California State Archives. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 122540192
