SACRAMENTO – Assemblymember Wesley Chesbro (D – North Coast) adjourned today’s session of the State Assembly in memory of Charlie Rudd of Arcata, who died on Nov. 19, 2012. Chesbro shared Rudd’s life with members of the Legislature during a brief speech on the Assembly Floor.
“Charlie Rudd left this world early Monday morning, November 19, 2012,” Chesbro said. “He had resided in Arcata since 1979, and was well known and respected within the local folk music and academic communities. He was a beloved member of the Humboldt County community and a role model for persons with disabilities, as all his life he ignored his own serious physical challenges to live life to the fullest.
“I was one of the first people Charlie met when he moved to Humboldt County and I became a great fan of his music. He was a well-regarded Irish musician, playing the concertina, the bagpipes and numerous other instruments. He was self-taught and fluent in the Irish language and taught Irish language classes at the university level.
“Charlie was a sweet and generous man, but at the same time courageous and tough, living past his disabilities. As he was to hundreds, perhaps thousands, of people who loved him, Charlie was my friend.”
Rudd’s name will be printed in the Assembly journal for Jan. 14, 2013.
Contact: Andrew Bird, Chesbro communications director, (916) 319-2002
