Councilman Dee Andrews’ Biography
Councilman Dee Andrews has been a resident of midtown area of Long Beach, California, for the past 65 years. With his honest and committed advocacy towards improving the lives of others, he is considered one of the most influential black leaders in the City of Long Beach. He built a city-wide network of supporters in the African American, Hispanic, Caucasian and Cambodian communities that are comprised of ministers, educators and businessmen composing his core supporters to collectively serve the residents of Midtown Long Beach. His entry into the Legislature follows one term on the Long Beach City Council serving the 6th District, after winning a two-year term in a special election. He also serves as a board member on the Los Angeles County Sanitation Board, the chair of the Long Beach Housing and Neighbors Committee, Vice-Chair of the Long Beach Personal and Civil Service Committee, as well as being a member of the Charter Amendment Committee, Housing Authority, and Parking Authority for the City of Long Beach.
Mr. Andrews is the gifted father of three beautiful girls and an admirable grandfather of five grandchildren. He is a proud graduate and former star athlete of Long Beach Polytechnic High School. While attending Poly, he received the All-American High School Football and Track Award. He was also the first African-American Student body president at Poly High School. Mr. Andrews went on to attend both the University of California Los Angeles and the California State University Long Beach. He earned his Bachelor’s degree in Social Science and Physical Education from California State University Long Beach.
Mr. Andrew’s other achievements are the induction into the Long Beach State Hall of Fame, All American Junior College Football and Track Award, and he holds the World Record for 330 Intermediate Hurdles.
The All-American football player for the Dallas Cowboys, returned to Long Beach to teach Black History and Government at Long Beach Poly and Wilson High Schools. Currently, he is employed by the Long Beach Unified School District, as a Court Liaison assisting young people coming out of juvenile camp, and transitioning back into school.
He has been inducted into the Long Beach Century Club Hall of Fame for his athletic accomplishments. The American Red Cross also honors the Councilman as a 2008 Hometown Hero. This honor is for the recognition of him leaping into action and helping to save an elderly woman from a burning building and chasing down an indecent exposed man who was assaulting children at a local restaurant.
Since his service as the 6th District Council Representative, Dee has continued his commitment to improving the lives of others through his legislative leadership by authoring agenda items that create jobs like the “Tax Credit Card” that highlights tax savings opportunities for employers hiring veterans, youth, disabled, and the unemployed. As well as supporting local businesses with the Tax Amnesty Program and the Business Tax Holiday that assist local business by reducing fee’s so that they can continue to be a thriving contributor to our local economy. He has championed legislation that has reduced recidivism, domestic violence and that has saved lives. He recognizes former community leaders and organizations that have paved the way for future generations to come by honoring them in naming prominent structures in their memory like Rosa Parks Park, “The Tree of Equality” in honor of the Long Beach NAACP, the Ernest S. McBride, Sr. Park and the Manazar Gamboa Community Theater. He inspires the younger generation by creating the Poly Walk of Fame, which identifies individuals that have accomplished their dreams despite adversity that they had to overcome while growing up on the same streets in Long Beach.
Councilman Andrews’s vision for the Midtown area is to continue attract businesses into the 6th District and to pursue employment opportunities for the unemployed residents, with emphasis on the many individuals with barriers to traditional employment due to past criminal record. He also promotes after-school programs for youth which include tutoring and mentoring, the improvements of public safety and communication with residents, and the creation of the much needed infrastructure improvements for Midtown Long Beach.