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"If politics were a garden," said state Sen. Bill Lockyer, addressing an audience of some 200 Jewish lobbyists, "then Gov. Pete Wilson might be an iceberg lettuce.

"Big head," the senator went on to explain. "Difficult to transport back East."

Continuing his vegetable analogies, Lockyer (D-Hayward) likened Dianne Feinstein to broccoli, saying the San Francisco-bred U.S. senator is "vigorously marketed, loved by a few and accepted by most as inedible."

Addressing the Jewish Public Affairs Committee of California's 30th anniversary convention and lobbying mission to Sacramento on Feb. 26, Lockyer injected a note of warmth into a morning of often impersonal presentations. Some legislators appeared to be campaigning more than addressing JPAC's theme of welfare reform and its impact upon the needy.

Beginning the morning's proceedings, Secretary of State Bill Jones congratulated JPAC on 30 years of Jewish community advocacy, and presented outgoing JPAC Chair Howard Welinsky with a resolution to that effect.

Accepting the accolade, Welinsky said the Jewish belief in tikkun olam, or healing the world, is a prime motivator for Jews involved in social issues.

State Attorney General Dan Lungren acknowledged JPAC's contribution to state government and told the audience, "We need more like you."

Quoting 19th-century French politician Alexis de Tocqueville, Lungren said, "The duties of private citizens do not lapse because of the existence of government." He praised JPAC's compassion for families in distress.

The issue of compassion was also raised by Lockyer, who was warmly praised for his support of the Jewish community in an introduction by San Francisco Jewish Community Relations Chair Mark Schickman.

Lockyer said controversy over welfare reform results from "a chasm of belief" among policymakers on the subject of motivation.

While he believes the governor's proposal prescribes "motivation through punishment," the senator expressed optimism that, through dialogue, a policy could emerge that "will be the best and most humane policy possible, given the fiscal environment."

Los Angeles JCRC representative Larry Goldberg introduced Sen. Jim Brulte (R-Rancho Cucamonga), describing him as "a real mensch."

"What's a mensch?" Brulte wanted to know as he stepped up to the podium.

The assemblyman went on to state his view that "there is a yearn [sic] inside most human beings to work," and that "at present we have a system that makes it financially more attractive for some people not to work." Asked if he thought California's economy could absorb full employment, Brulte declined to speculate on what he called "a philosophical question."

But he added, "Do I think we can create more jobs? Yes, absolutely."

State Controller Kathleen Connell offered specific ideas on new jobs and financial accountability. She called for a top-to-bottom audit of government, noting that her audit of the California Lottery found $100 million wasted in superfluous administration.

"Without financial resources, a vision remains a dream," Connell said.

Putting forth a Democratic perspective, Assemblywoman Dion Aroner (D-Oakland) suggested that society "is measured by how we take care of our most vulnerable populations." Like JPAC itself, Aroner said she too was celebrating a 30th anniversary; in January 1967 she launched her career as a social worker in the welfare department of Alameda County.

Over lunch, Assemblyman Wally Knox (D-Los Angeles) and Lt. Gov. Gray Davis both spoke fondly of their relationships with JPAC and the Jewish community. "When people reach out to you, you don't forget," said Davis, who joked that JPAC had once endorsed him in an election where he was "one goy out of six candidates."

Knox — who authored AB72, the bill that would allocate funds to enable legal immigrants and refugees to become citizens — told JPAC delegates, "You can do in one day what would take my staff and co-authors months." Looking around at the crowd of delegates munching on bagels and lox, Knox said he could only conclude one thing about JPAC's efforts to improve social conditions in California.

"It's a mitzvah."