Ralph M. Brown

Ralph Milton Brown (September 16, 1908 – April 9, 1966) was a member of the California State Assembly representing the 30th State Assembly district from 1943 to 1961. Born in Kentucky and a resident of Modesto, California, he was Speaker of the Assembly from January 1959 until he resigned in September 1961 to accept appointment to the California Courts of Appeal, Fifth Appellate District Court. He is best known for writing the Brown Act, California's first sunshine law, providing for increased public access to government meetings, which was enacted in 1953.

References

• This article incorporates facts obtained from The Political Graveyard. [1]

Political offices
Preceded by Burl R. Salsman	California State Assemblyman, 30th District 1943-1961	Succeeded by John Veneman
Preceded by Luther H. Lincoln	Speaker of the California State Assembly January 1959–September 1961	Succeeded by Jesse M. Unruh