Rep. Zoe Lofgren on the Passing of Former San Jose Mayor Janet Gray Hayes

SAN JOSE, CA – Rep. Zoe Lofgren (D-CA-19) issued the following statement on the passing of Janet Gray Hayes, the former and first female Mayor of the City of San Jose:

"Janet Gray Hayes made a profound, lasting impact on our community. She was a trailblazer who helped open the door for women to serve their communities in public office. She was the one who declared San Jose to be the 'feminist Capitol of the world' when she led San Jose as its Mayor, with a female majority city council and a new female majority on the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors.

I was part of that new group of emerging women leaders. Her generous assistance, guidance and leadership helped put me there. More than that, she was a friend. I appreciated her guiding hand from the time she appointed me to the San Jose Charter Review Commission through my election to, and service in, Congress. I will miss her greatly and I will never forget her."

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