CA Assembly Speaker Bass Announces Congressional Bid; Earns Endorsements from Congresswoman Watson, Controller Greuel, Supervisor Ridley-Thomas, Grassroots Leaders
Flanked by Congresswoman Diane Watson other elected officials, clergy and community- and grassroots-leaders, Assembly Speaker Karen Bass (D- Los Angeles) today announced she would seek to represent Californias 33rd Congressional District.
It was both an honor and humbling to me that my name would come up as someone who could follow in the footsteps of Diane Watson--a leader who has given her all for the people she has represented--on the school board, in Sacramento, as an Ambassador of our country, and now as a Representative in Congress, said Bass. It would of course be a tremendous honor to represent the people of this district in Congress. And after some reflection, and after talking with a range of folks from community activists to opinion leaders to elected officials, I would like to make it official I am announcing today that I am respectfully asking the people of the 33rd Congressional District for their consideration to serve as their next Representative in Congress.
Congresswoman Diane Watson who last week announced that she would not seek reelection said, I am endorsing Karen Bass because she is the best candidate for the job of representing the diverse 33rd Congressional District. Karen has worked hard for decades to bring about change and progress for all people even in the toughest of times. She will be an effective leader who is tailor made for this multi-cultural, multi-ethnic district. She will be an effective leader who is willing to work collaboratively with her colleagues in Congress and the Obama Administration. Karen believes in delivering real change for the people of the district that she represents. I have been enormously proud to represent the 33rd Congressional District. I will be very proud as a lifelong resident to have Karen Bass as my representative in Congress.
Bass made history when the California Assembly elected her to be its 67th Speaker, catapulting her to become the first African American woman in the country to serve in this powerful state legislative role. Throughout her career, Bass has been delivering change and delivering results to her constituents in Los Angeles and the people of California by jumpstarting infrastructure projects to create new jobs in the state. Bass has also championed efforts to provide quality healthcare to Californians and expand opportunities for Californias youth.
Under Bass leadership the Assembly fast-tracked federal economic stimulus legislation that aided Californians who have been affected by the national economic crisis as well as jumpstarted billions of dollars of infrastructure projects.
Speaker Bass has proudly authored legislation that expands Healthy Families Insurance to ensure hundreds of thousands of children did not lose coverage. Basss legislation also includes bills to reform schools and improve conditions and services for youth.
In endorsing Speaker Bass, Supervisor Ridley-Thomas said, Karens abundant strengths as a public servant have always been her willingness and desire to listen carefully to the people she serves coupled with her ability to act swiftly, forcefully, and sensitively to meet the needs her diverse constituents. Karen honed her considerable legislative and political skills in the neighborhoods of South Los Angeles. Karen organized local residents to battle against the concentration and proliferation of liquor stores. She mounted vigorous campaigns against motel owners who failed to curb criminal activity at their neighborhood establishments. She worked shoulder-to-shoulder with residents to reduce violence and promote strategies and programs to improve the quality of life in South L.A., Supervisor Ridley-Thomas added.
"I worked with Speaker Karen Bass to help found Workplace Hollywood, which has helped thousands of young Angelenos develop their skills and get jobs in the entertainment industry. I know that she will bring that same dedication to Washington DC, where she will fight to get Angelenos back to work," said City Controller Wendy Greuel. "Karen has the experience, the leadership and the fiscal discipline we need and will be a great advocate for Los Angeles."
Some of the Bass legislative accomplishments with local impact include expanding the Baldwin Hills Conservancy and securing more than $2.3 million to help revitalize the historic Vision Theater in Los Angeles.
Karen has demonstrated that she can lead for all communities on issues of importance, and that she can craft coalitions of mutual respect. We need a return in Washington to a combination of integrity and civility, fighting spirit and willingness to find common ground, said Community Leader Manuel Pastor. Karen Bass is that kind of leader.
For more information log onto: www.karenbass.com.
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CA Speaker Karen Bass & Assemblymember John Perez conference call with LGBT Community PART 1by EqualRoots75 views
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