Press Releases

SACRAMENTO— Today, California State Controller Betty T. Yee issued the following statement on the passing of March Fong Eu, former state Assemblymember and California Secretary of State:

“California has lost a true trailblazer with the departure of the Honorable March Fong Eu. Our elections system today reflects many of Secretary Eu's contributions that include voter registration by mail, absentee ballots upon request, and candidate statements in ballot pamphlets. As a State Assemblymember, Secretary Eu led the feminist movement in California to ban pay toilets, the subject of jokes yet the most basic aspect of gender discrimination. 

Her lasting legacy, however, will be how her distinguished service to the people of California inspired women and Asian Americans to pursue public service; Secretary Eu being the first Asian American woman elected to a statewide constitutional office.

Thank you, March Fong Eu, and may you rest in peace.”

Elected in 2014, Controller Yee is the tenth woman elected to a statewide office in California’s history. As the chief fiscal officer of California, Controller Yee is responsible for accountability and disbursement of the state’s financial resources. The Controller also safeguards many types of property until claimed by the rightful owners, and has independent auditing authority over government agencies that spend state funds. She is a member of numerous financing authorities, and fiscal and financial oversight entities including the Franchise Tax Board. She also serves on the boards for the nation’s two largest public pension funds. Follow the Controller on Twitter at @CAController and on Facebook at California State Controller’s Office.

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