In this episode of NTD’s “Profiles of Service,” we sit down with California state Sen. John Laird who’s been in public life since 1981, holding dozens of positions over the last four decades. What sticks out as one of his most challenging times? The 7.1-magnitude earthquake in 1989.
“We had a bankrupt city the minute after the earthquake,” he said.
Laird said it was a valuable self-learning experience.
“You have all these things inside of you that are strengths that you don’t have any idea you have until you have to draw on them.”
“Profiles of Service” is an NTD News series that features the men and women who have chosen to dedicate themselves to public service. At a time of low trust in the political process, we launched the series as a way to get to know our elected officials on a different level. We ask them about the challenges and rewards of being in office, why public service matters, and what inspiration they can offer the next generation of potential leaders….