George N. Zenovich

George Nicholas Zenovich (April 29, 1922 – September 25, 2013) was an American politician and jurist, as well as a longtime Democrat.

Zenovich's stated philosophy is that he "is a progressive Democrat with respect to fiscal and economic affairs of government, and a liberal Democrat with respect to Civil Liberties."

Early Life and Education Zenovich was born in Fresno, California, to parents Nicholas and Eva, who were Serb immigrants to the United States from Yugoslavia. He earned his law degree from Southwestern Law School.

In 1972, Zenovich served as an Adjunct Professor of Political Science at California State University, Fresno. He holds a Certificate of Attendance from the International Academy of Law, The Hague, Holland (1954), an LL.E from Southwestern College of Law, Los Angeles, California (1952), and a B.A. from Fresno State College (1948).

Richard Lehman, a former congressman and state legislator, "recalled that Zenovich talked like a musician when he met him in 1969. Lehman was attending the University of California, Santa Cruz, and Mr. Zenovich called to offer him a job in his Assembly office. Lehman asked what he'd do, and got a groovy answer: 'Whatever you want to do, baby.'"

He played the stand-up bass in "General Kenney's 13th Air Force Band," playing at Nadzab, New Guinea, and Clark Field in the Philippines.

Early career

In 1947, he was admitted to the California Bar and began working as an attorney in 1953. He had a private law practice in Fresno, California from 1953 to 1979, where he worked as a sole practitioner.

"Zenovich has been a practicing attorney in Fresno since he was admitted to the Bar, except for approximately two years in 1954 and 1955 which he spent in Europe. While in Europe he attended the International Academy of Law at the Hague, Holland, toured Western Europe and spent considerable time in Yugoslavia. He married just prior to leaving Yugoslavia. His wife, Vera, had just completed law school at the University of Sarajevo," explains a political booklet about the California Legislature that was published by the California Teamsters Legislative Counsel (of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters).

Zenovich played the standup bass and was a lifetime member of the Fresno Musicians Local 210, since 1940, and the Los Angeles Musicians Local 47, since 1949.

California State Assembly (1963-1970)

Elected as Assemblyman for the 32nd District, Zenovich served in the California State Assembly from 1963 to 1970, where he acted as Majority Floor Leader and Chairman of the Democratic Caucus.

By 1964, Mr. Zenovich was considered a "disciple" of legendary Assembly Speaker Jesse Unruh, and in mid-1966 Unruh appointed him majority floor leader.

George N. Zenovich (left) and Bob Hope (right) in Sacramento, 1977.

George N. Zenovich and wife Vera "Kika" Zenovich, @circa 1978 (left) and 2010 (right).

George N. Zenovich saying goodbye on the Senate floor in 1979.

Zenovich also carried the 1975 legislation that created the California Arts Council, the Dixon-Zenovich-Maddy California Arts Act of 1975, which promoted the arts, supported artists, and fostered cultural development across California.

"In its first budget year (January to June 1976), the CAC awarded $594,000 in grants in four program areas: Arts in Social Institutions, Community Arts, Alternatives in Education, State of the Arts Documentation, and Special Projects. The number of programs has fluctuated over the decades, but at their core, grant funding supports California’s arts and culture in the key areas of access, equity, and inclusion; community vibrancy; and arts learning and engagement."

“The California Arts Council might not exist if not for George Zenovich,” explained Craig Watson, who was the Director of the California Arts Council in 2013. “His passion for music and care for all Californians placed the establishment of the California Arts Council among his many significant accomplishments as a lawmaker and activist. He will be missed.”

Zenovich was also instrumental in passing the Agricultural Labor Relations Act (ALRA) of 1975, which was the first of its kind in the nation,

According to the Agricultural Labor Relations Board website, ALRA was "a landmark California law that extended collective bargaining rights and protections to agricultural employees who are excluded from the coverage of the federal National Labor Relations Act. The ALRA authorizes the ALRB to oversee and protect the rights of agricultural employees to organize themselves in negotiating the terms and conditions of their employment, including whether or not to have labor unions represent them."

Justice of the Fifth District Courts of Appeal (1979-1984)

George N. Zenovich - Justice of the Fifth District Courts of Appeal (1979-1984) From 1979-1984, Zenovich served as Justice of the Fifth District in the California Courts of Appeal. He was appointed by then Governor Jerry Brown.

Rosendo Peña, who worked as a staff attorney for Mr. Zenovich and is now himself a Justice for the Fifth District California Courts of Appeal, explained Zenovich's unique style; "He was very easygoing as far as the way he interacted with folks, but he had a certain sense of what justice was." After leaving the bench, Zenovich became a lobbyist in Sacramento.

Personal life Zenovich was married to Vera "Kika" Sarenac, who was born in the former Yugoslavia, now Croatia.

George met Vera while on an extended European trip visiting relatives in Yugoslavia. His daughter, Marina, created an 8-minute video tribute to her father that began the luncheon program at his memorial.