Yes We Can: Perez In California = Progress for the Nation

by: Rick Jacobs

Thu Dec 03, 2009 at 10:39:01 AM PST

This, from the California that narrowly voted to undo same sex marriage.  This from the same California that faces as much as $40 billion in deficits in 2010.  This from the same California that has a minority majority population, but where Latinos are fast becoming the majority.  This from the same California that used to provide the best education on the planet to all and now can not graduate the majority of most high school students in Los Angeles.

John Perez is  California.  He's openly gay.  He's Latino.  He's a son of Los Angeles.  He's an intellectual, a strategist, an environmentalist, a labor leader.  He's an organizer, a skilled consensus-builder, a unifier and a stunningly disarming public speaker.  John is that rare elected official that we know will hold the public interest at heart.  

The only real question is why John would want the job?  If he becomes Speaker of the California State Assembly, he'll face the worst problems this state has seen since the depression or even before. But he wants the job -- and I can't imagine a better leader in Sacramento to take it on. John has all of the qualities, and from what I hear, most of the support necessary to win. If the Democrats in the assembly unify behind John and avoid the "speaker wars" that have often marred the period since term limits passed, he will become the speaker.

I've known John for nearly six years.  We met in March 2003, when I was a relatively inexperienced but highly motivated supporter of Howard Dean's candidacy for the White House.  I had, for years, been involved in politics, but never so deeply as Dean's inspiring campaign to reverse the direction of our country.  

At the suggestion of a mutual friend, John met with me at  a restaurant at Universal City Walk right after one of the first Dean "Meetups" that would propel that campaign forward. He sat with me, very patiently explaining the who and the what of California labor and progressive politics.  He did not need to do that; he could easily have looked at this relative neophyte in state politics and said, "if this is what Dean has to offer, I'm out of here."   But he did not.  And he was always there to help, after I became Chair of Dean's presidential campaign in California and then went on to found the Courage Campaign.

California rarely has the opportunity to place the assembly in the hands of a speaker for more than a year or two.  John would follow Karen Bass, who has lived through one of the worst imaginable times in our history.  Karen is a true progressive, and she supports John.  So do I.  And while these leadership battles seem very arcane and insider, it's time for all of us in this state who support progress to understand that we have a stake in who leads our assembly.

In the next few days, John Perez may well make history.  And, as progress marches on, he will eventually live in a state that allows him to marry the man he loves.

(Cross posted on Huffington Post)

Rick Jacobs is the Founder and Chair of the Courage Campaign.

Latino In America San Francisco Edition

by: nicthebrick

Tue Oct 20, 2009 at 12:44:17 PM PDT

"By 2050, the U.S. Latino population is expected to nearly triple. This October, CNN's Soledad O'Brien explores how Latinos are reshaping our communities and culture and forcing a nation of immigrants to rediscover what it means to be an American," is the statement on CNN's website to entice potential viewers. CNN has been working hard to market this four hour series by hosting advance screening parties across the nation. It's obvious that the series is a serious effort to capture a larger share of the Hispanic market.

Despite their efforts, CNN which pledges itself as the 'most trusted name in news' is also the home of Lou Dobbs one of the most vitriolic anti immigrant voices in the media.  Presente.org  a national online advocacy organization has been running a very strong campaign to highlight the blatant lies Lou Dobbs spreads on his program. He has claimed that "Just about a third of our prison system is made up of illegal aliens." But the Department of Justice reports that immigrants (legal and illegal) make just 6% of the prison population.  

CA-44: Wanna see a fight?

by: BlueWave2008

Mon Feb 04, 2008 at 10:55:36 AM PST

If he wins the Democratic nomination on June 3, 2008, Rogelio V. Morales will deliver the most bruising fight Congressman Ken Calvert has ever been in. Given Rogelio's humble background, to even be in the position to run for congress is incredible and fills me with pride to be an American. So kicking Ken Calvert's butt should be a piece of cake for Rogelio!

I know Rogelio (pronounced row-hell-leo) and believe me when I say he will make Calvert's life a living hell. Even if he were to lose the general, I am sure Calvert will not want to face Rogelio a second time. By 2010, if he survives, Calvert will be too rich to care since he is in Congress for himself and Calvert Properties.

Rogelio = former infantry Marine. Nuff said. www.morales2008.com

Rogelio V. Morales--New Candidate for the 44th Congressional District

by: BlueWave2008

Fri Jan 11, 2008 at 14:18:30 PM PST

Here's his biography and background information, from http://www.sourcewatch.org/ind...

"Rogelio V. Morales's life is a testament to the continuing vitality of the American Dream.

Rogelio (pronounced row-hell-leo) was born in Los Angeles, CA. As a first-generation American, Rogelio was raised by illiterate Mexican immigrants whose combined schooling totaled a third-grade education. He also attended 92nd Street Elementary School in Watts, Los Angeles, CA. Throughout his childhood, Rogelio was often surrounded by gang violence, poverty and drugs.

In 1987, Rogelio's family moved to the Inland Empire after his father's job relocated to Riverside, CA. He attended several schools in the district, including Myra Lynn Elementary School, La Sierra Academy and La Sierra High School. In June 1995, Rogelio graduated from John W. North High School. A month later, he joined the United States Marine Corps.

Throughout his enlistment in the Marine Corps, Rogelio received several awards and commendations. In 1997, at the age of 20, he was selected by his unit commander to represent his infantry company in the Marine Corps' Annual Rifle Squad Competition (ARSC). At the competition's end, his unit was recognized as the "most combat ready rifle squad in 1st Marine Division." According to his Navy Achievement Medal citation, Rogelio's leadership as a fire team leader was "instrumental" to his rifle squad's first place finish. Later that same year, Rogelio was awarded the ARSC Badge by the Commandant of the Marine Corps, General C.C. Krulak, at an awards ceremony held at Marine Barracks, in Washington, D.C. Looking back on his achievements, however, Rogelio remains humbled by the awesome privilege of once being in command of Americans who had chosen to serve their country.

After being discharged from active duty in 1999, Rogelio enrolled at Riverside Community College (RCC). At RCC, he excelled at academics and student government. Rogelio graduated in the summer of 2002 and earned the honor of being named the student commencement speaker. That summer, he transferred to the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). In 2004, Rogelio graduated from UCLA with a B.A. in Political Science. Then in September 2005, Rogelio enrolled in the Juris Doctorate program at the University of Washington, in Seattle, WA. Rogelio expects his law degree in March 2008.

Truly, Rogelio V. Morales represents new, exciting leadership the 44th Congressional District can be proud to call its own."

Here is some background information on the candidate as well:

• Full Legal Name: Rogelio Vergara Morales

• Place of Birth: Martin Luther King, Jr. Hospital in Los Angeles, CA.

• Age: 30 years old (as of 12/31/2007)

• Military Rank Attained: Corporal (E-4)

• Type of Discharge: Honorable

• Marital Status: Single/ Never Married

• Political Party: Democrat

• Religion: Christian - Protestant

• Other Languages: Spanish

• Reason for Running:

"Congressman Calvert has lost touch with the values and priorities of the 44th Congressional District. What's worse, Congressman Calvert is no longer an effective representative to aid our district's emerging political and economic importance. As your congressman, I promise to restore the special trust and confidence voters demand from their representatives. Indeed, I believe the best and brightest days for our district are still ahead, and I intend to hasten their long-awaited arrival."  --Rogelio V. Morales, Democratic Candidate, U.S. Congress --

See contact info below:

info@morales2008.com

Contributions can be sent to:

C/O Cardenas, P.O. Box 51748, Riverside, CA 92517

Make checks payable to: Morales for Congress

Tri-Caucus Minority Health Summit this Weekend in San Diego

by: RepHildaSolis

Mon Jul 16, 2007 at 14:05:27 PM PDT

The 5th Annual Congressional Tri-Caucus Minority Health Summit will be held this weekend in San Diego.  This year’s Summit is being hosted by the Community Clinic Association of Los Angeles County, with support from The California Endowment and others.  At least twelve members of the Congressional Hispanic, Black, and Asian Pacific American Caucuses are scheduled to attend, including Reps. John Conyers (MI-14), Raul Grijalva (AZ-7), and Mike Honda (CA-15).

Five years ago, I conceived the idea of the Tri-Caucus Minority Health Summit as a forum for members of Congress to hear firsthand about the health challenges facing communities of color and innovative solutions to address them.  Indeed, the need to reduce health disparities is great.  Despite recent gains in health care, disparities related to race, ethnicity, and socioeconomic status remain prevalent.  For example, more than 70% of Latinos across the country are considered overweight or obese, including 25% of Latino children.  In 2005, 86% of babies born with HIV and AIDS were of color. 

The Summit will cover topics such as SCHIP, homelessness, tobacco cessation, veterans’ health, and HIV/AIDS.  It also will include discussion of H.R. 3014, comprehensive, bi-partisan legislation I introduced last week with Congresswomen Donna Christensen (Virgin Islands) and Madeleine Bordallo (Guam) to reduce racial and ethnic health disparities.  H.R. 3014 has 70 original co-sponsors, including House Majority Whip Jim Clyburn (SC-6).

Over 200 people are expected to attend this weekend’s Summit in San Diego.  As Chair of the Hispanic Caucus’ Task Force on Health and a member of the House Health Subcommittee, I look forward to hearing from the panelists and attendees and to sharing the information I gather at the Summit with organizations in my district and with my colleagues in Congress.

For more information about the Summit, visit www.ccalac.org.

Congresswoman Hilda Solis
www.house.gov/solis
www.youtube.com/rephildasolis