A California State Assemblyman, he died of liver failure and other health related issues at the young age of 39. The summer before he died, he attended the opening of Marco Antonio Firebaugh High School in Lynwood, a befitting tribute to a man of conviction and perseverance. Firebaugh served in the Assembly from 1998 to 2004, representing a district in southeast Los Angeles County, and was majority floor leader during the last two years of his term. He also led the California Latino Legislative Caucus.
"This is a moment of profound sadness and grief for all of us who liked and respected Marco Firebaugh, cared for his life work, cherished his charm and charisma, enjoyed his love of life and admired his leadership in the Legislature," Assembly Speaker Fabian Nunez, D-Los Angeles, said in a statement. Among Firebaugh's most significant accomplishments was writing a 2002 law that allowed some illegal immigrants to attend California universities while paying in-state fees. That law was challenged last December by a group of out-of-state college students who filed a class-action lawsuit claiming it was discriminatory. Firebaugh also wrote legislation to provide money for low-income communities most affected by air pollution.
During a 2004 interview with the Sacramento Bee, Firebaugh described a lifestyle that led to his health problems. "I drank like a fish, ate like a pig, stayed out till wee hours of the night and never slept," he said, adding that his liver was "traumatized" by all the toxins in his body. After being diagnosed, Firebaugh told the Bee, he cut back his work hours and quit drinking.
∼Former Assemblyman dies at 39
By Kevin Yamamura -- Bee Capitol Bureau
Published 11:23 am PST Tuesday, March 21, 2006
Former Assemblyman Marco Firebaugh, once chairman of the Legislature's Democratic Latino Caucus, died Tuesday morning at the age of 39.
Firebaugh had battled a liver ailment during his time in the Assembly and succumbed to complications from liver disease, according to the office of Sen. Gloria Romero, D-Los Angeles.
Firebaugh, a Los Angeles Democrat, rose from student activist to become a powerful force in the Legislature, where he served from 1998-2004. He was running for the 30th state Senate seat this year against two other Democrats in the June primary.
"This is a moment of profound sadness and grief for all of us who liked and respected Marco Firebaugh, cared for his life work, cherished his charm and charisma, enjoyed his love of life and admired his leadership in the Legislature," Assembly Speaker Fabian Nunez, D-Los Angeles, said in a statement. Among Firebaugh's most significant accomplishments was writing a 2002 law that allowed some illegal immigrants to attend California universities while paying in-state fees. That law was challenged last December by a group of out-of-state college students who filed a class-action lawsuit claiming it was discriminatory. Firebaugh also wrote legislation to provide money for low-income communities most affected by air pollution.
During a 2004 interview with the Sacramento Bee, Firebaugh described a lifestyle that led to his health problems. "I drank like a fish, ate like a pig, stayed out till wee hours of the night and never slept," he said, adding that his liver was "traumatized" by all the toxins in his body. After being diagnosed, Firebaugh told the Bee, he cut back his work hours and quit drinking.
∼Former Assemblyman dies at 39
By Kevin Yamamura -- Bee Capitol Bureau
Published 11:23 am PST Tuesday, March 21, 2006
Former Assemblyman Marco Firebaugh, once chairman of the Legislature's Democratic Latino Caucus, died Tuesday morning at the age of 39.
Firebaugh had battled a liver ailment during his time in the Assembly and succumbed to complications from liver disease, according to the office of Sen. Gloria Romero, D-Los Angeles.
Firebaugh, a Los Angeles Democrat, rose from student activist to become a powerful force in the Legislature, where he served from 1998-2004. He was running for the 30th state Senate seat this year against two other Democrats in the June primary.
A California State Assemblyman, he died of liver failure and other health related issues at the young age of 39. The summer before he died, he attended the opening of Marco Antonio Firebaugh High School in Lynwood, a befitting tribute to a man of conviction and perseverance. Firebaugh served in the Assembly from 1998 to 2004, representing a district in southeast Los Angeles County, and was majority floor leader during the last two years of his term. He also led the California Latino Legislative Caucus.
"This is a moment of profound sadness and grief for all of us who liked and respected Marco Firebaugh, cared for his life work, cherished his charm and charisma, enjoyed his love of life and admired his leadership in the Legislature," Assembly Speaker Fabian Nunez, D-Los Angeles, said in a statement. Among Firebaugh's most significant accomplishments was writing a 2002 law that allowed some illegal immigrants to attend California universities while paying in-state fees. That law was challenged last December by a group of out-of-state college students who filed a class-action lawsuit claiming it was discriminatory. Firebaugh also wrote legislation to provide money for low-income communities most affected by air pollution.
During a 2004 interview with the Sacramento Bee, Firebaugh described a lifestyle that led to his health problems. "I drank like a fish, ate like a pig, stayed out till wee hours of the night and never slept," he said, adding that his liver was "traumatized" by all the toxins in his body. After being diagnosed, Firebaugh told the Bee, he cut back his work hours and quit drinking.
∼Former Assemblyman dies at 39
By Kevin Yamamura -- Bee Capitol Bureau
Published 11:23 am PST Tuesday, March 21, 2006
Former Assemblyman Marco Firebaugh, once chairman of the Legislature's Democratic Latino Caucus, died Tuesday morning at the age of 39.
Firebaugh had battled a liver ailment during his time in the Assembly and succumbed to complications from liver disease, according to the office of Sen. Gloria Romero, D-Los Angeles.
Firebaugh, a Los Angeles Democrat, rose from student activist to become a powerful force in the Legislature, where he served from 1998-2004. He was running for the 30th state Senate seat this year against two other Democrats in the June primary.
"This is a moment of profound sadness and grief for all of us who liked and respected Marco Firebaugh, cared for his life work, cherished his charm and charisma, enjoyed his love of life and admired his leadership in the Legislature," Assembly Speaker Fabian Nunez, D-Los Angeles, said in a statement. Among Firebaugh's most significant accomplishments was writing a 2002 law that allowed some illegal immigrants to attend California universities while paying in-state fees. That law was challenged last December by a group of out-of-state college students who filed a class-action lawsuit claiming it was discriminatory. Firebaugh also wrote legislation to provide money for low-income communities most affected by air pollution.
During a 2004 interview with the Sacramento Bee, Firebaugh described a lifestyle that led to his health problems. "I drank like a fish, ate like a pig, stayed out till wee hours of the night and never slept," he said, adding that his liver was "traumatized" by all the toxins in his body. After being diagnosed, Firebaugh told the Bee, he cut back his work hours and quit drinking.
∼Former Assemblyman dies at 39
By Kevin Yamamura -- Bee Capitol Bureau
Published 11:23 am PST Tuesday, March 21, 2006
Former Assemblyman Marco Firebaugh, once chairman of the Legislature's Democratic Latino Caucus, died Tuesday morning at the age of 39.
Firebaugh had battled a liver ailment during his time in the Assembly and succumbed to complications from liver disease, according to the office of Sen. Gloria Romero, D-Los Angeles.
Firebaugh, a Los Angeles Democrat, rose from student activist to become a powerful force in the Legislature, where he served from 1998-2004. He was running for the 30th state Senate seat this year against two other Democrats in the June primary.
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