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« September 2005 |
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| November 2005 »
Remarks from Special Election Forum
Below is the transcript of my remarks from the KTVU-Contra Costa Times Special Election Forum held earlier this week.
"First of all, I want to thank you for the opportunity to be here, and secondly, the governor consistently said that he supported the voter-passed initiatives. Well, one of those was Proposition 98…and Proposition 76 destroys that initiative. Number two, he said he believes that corporate contributions ought to be voted on by shareholders. He could've included that in this initiative and we could have had a fair decision across the board.
"Secondly, [regarding Prop 77] we don't think that judges are the most appropriate people…I believe in you, I think, Randy [Shandobil], you would make a good member of this Commission because as the Democratic Party, I support a Commission. And the reason we are pushing so hard for a 2010 census is right now we won't have an accurate census of California. And I know the Governor knows this, that California's money from the federal government depends on an acccurate count of the people that live in this state.
"And as for teachers, there is already a system in place to remove bad teachers. I know that. My sister, who's been Napa Teacher of the Year out of Calistoga, knows that they can get rid of bad teachers today, without forcing them out of the process.
"And lastly, lastly, the federal government and federal law, and Supreme Court decisions say very clearly, no public employee is forced to join a union, no public employee is forced to make or approve political contributions out of his or her paycheck. That's the law, that's the law.
"We all want the best for California."
Posted by ChairmanTorres at 05:15 PM
« September 2005 |
Archives
| November 2005 »
A Memorial for Former Congressman Ed Roybal
California and the nation have lost one of our historic heroes. With the passing of former Congressman Ed Roybal we lost a true giant. He was the first Latino elected to the City Council of Los Angeles in 1948 with the help of community activists, and the first Latino member of Congress from California in modern history.
With his election in 1962 to the Congress, Ed Roybal helped create the first national bi-lingual act, with the help of President Lyndon Johnson, and continued to provide our state and nation's Latinos a source of tremendous pride.
His daughter, Lucille Roybal-Allard, a distinguished member of Congress, continues the Roybal legacy today.
Posted by ChairmanTorres at 01:03 PM
« September 2005 |
Archives
| November 2005 »
In Memoriam: Rosa Parks, An American Icon
Yesterday we lost an icon to human and civil rights, Rosa Parks.
Her impact on our lives was through a quiet steadfastness, and with her humble integrity she changed a nation on December 1, 1955. Imagine, just 50 years ago, African-Americans were forced to give up bus seats to white people in the South.
While attending church in Los Angeles, Rosa would be in the pews next to me. What struck me the most about her was how open and loving a person she was, with no arrogance, just a simple courage that inspired so many, then and now.
We will miss her presence, but her memory and legacy will endure in history.
Click here to read from other Democratic leaders on the passing of Rosa Parks.
Posted by ChairmanTorres at 09:06 AM
« September 2005 |
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| November 2005 »
Special Election Forum Tonight
I'll be appearing in tonight's KTVU-Contra Costa Times Special Election Forum covering Propositions 74 through 77. It runs from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
It's being billed as the first time Gov. Schwarzenegger will be answering questions he has not heard in advance, so it promises to be quite an interesting evening.
Also participating in the forum will be Senate President pro Tem Don Perata and Rose Ann DeMoro, Executive Director of the California Nurses Assocation.
You can watch it live in the San Francisco Bay Area on KTVU Channel 2, and they are also showing a live webcast beginning at 5:50 p.m. Click here to go to the KTVU web site and look for the link on their home page.
C-SPAN will broadcast it nationally on Tuesday, time for broadcast is pending.
Posted by ChairmanTorres at 01:00 PM
« September 2005 |
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| November 2005 »
State Controller Web Site Lists Unclaimed Money for Dems
Did you know that the State of California currently has over $4 billion dollars in unclaimed property -- and several Democratic organizations are listed in this data base. Visit the Steve Westly State Controller web site for more details.
Posted by ChairmanTorres at 01:02 PM
« September 2005 |
Archives
| November 2005 »
Dean Fires Up Our Democrats, Rallies Against Schwarzenegger-Bush Agenda
We had a great rally Sunday in the East Bay when DNC Chairman Dean accepted my invitation to appear in Hayward to rally Democrats against the Schwarzenegger special election initiatives. It was a great turnout and it is always refreshing to hear Chairman Dean speak about the importance of standing up to the Republicans and getting our vote out. Our thanks to all those who helped organize the event.
Click here to see other photos from the event.
Posted by ChairmanTorres at 10:11 AM
« September 2005 |
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| November 2005 »
South Asia Earthquake
California Democrats join with all Americans in sending our thoughts and prayers to the people affected by the tragic earthquake in South Asia.
Click here to read House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi's statement, and click here to read more from the American Red Cross about relief efforts.
Posted by ChairmanTorres at 02:14 PM
« September 2005 |
Archives
| November 2005 »
Arnold Vetoes AB 772, California Health Kids Insurance
AB 772 (Chan/Frommer) would have created the California Healthy Kids Insurance Program (CHKIP) to ensure that every child in California has access to quality health care by providing them with affordable health insurance.
Approximately one million children in California do not have health insurance. Providing these children with affordable, quality health care is essential, especially during their formative years. As the former Chair of the Assembly Health Committee, I recognized AB 772 as historic legislation that would have taken a huge step forward in securing our children’s healthy future.
This callous veto by the governor will result in yet more poor kids falling through the safety net of our state. Simply put, we need more of our children to have health insurance, not less.
Posted by ChairmanTorres at 09:15 AM
« September 2005 |
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| November 2005 »
Commemorating the Start of Ramadan
Today 1.2 billion Muslims throughout the world and in California will begin to observe Ramadan, the month of daylight fasting. This is a time of contemplation, self-sacrifice and a reaffirmation of religious beliefs.
Ramadan celebrates a major historical event in the Islamic faith, when the first verses of the Quran were revealed. It is a time of devotion and serves as a personal reminder of human suffering, particularly that of the poor and hungry around the world.
During this time we must renew our efforts to achieve peace and stability in regions of the world that continue to be wrought with conflict. As Americans, we should also reexamine our own responsibilities to the poor, hungry and dispossessed within our nation and renew our commitment to protect civil liberties and religious tolerance.
Today, I join the world community in offering best wishes during this holy time to all those of the Islamic faith.
Posted by ChairmanTorres at 04:04 PM
« September 2005 |
Archives
| November 2005 »
Celebrating The Jewish New Year
I join with DNC Chairman Howard Dean in wishing our friends celebrating Rosh Hashanah a peaceful new year filled with health and happiness.
Click here to read Dean's statement.
Posted by ChairmanTorres at 09:53 AM
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