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Assemblymember Joe Coto's 2nd Annual Healthy Children's Day

Assemblymember Joe Coto is holding his 2nd Annual Healthy Children's Day at the Children's Discovery Museum on August 26th from 11AM to 3PM. On this day, Coto will partner with the Children’s Discovery Museum, MACSA, PG&E, Comcast, AT&T, Follett Corporation, Academic Books, Healthy Families and Vanished Children's Alliance to promote healthy living habits, literacy and child safety. All families who arrive at the event with a flyer will get in free (limit 5) and receive a Healthy Children’s fun pack. Flyers are being mailed to residents of the 23rd District.

Families are encouraged to bring the flyer on Saturday August 26th and explore the wonderful activities the Children's Discovery Museum has to offer while learning about ways to keep our children healthy and safe!

For more information please call Darcie Green in the Office of Assemblymember Coto 408.277.1220 or email assemblymember.coto@assembly.ca.gov.

Assemblyman Coto Shows His Commitment to Affordable Healthcare

SB 840 Single-Payer Health Care Coverage (Kuehl) is an important new bill currently being discussed in the State Assembly. This bill seeks to create a California Health Insurance System to ensure that all Californians have access to health care when they need it, regardless of their financial situation. At the same time, it neither affects those who currently have insurance, nor restricts health care professionals from doing their job.

Assemblymember Joe Coto is proud to announce that he has become a co-author of the bill, lending his strong support on behalf of residents of District 23. He is joining many other supporters throughout the state to assist the millions of uninsured Californians by capitalizing on the leverage we have as the most populous state in the union. Assemblymember Coto would like to express his thanks to all of the organizations who are working to ensure that all Californians have access to Affordable Healthcare.

Smart Voting Starts @ Your Library

As we enter the final weeks of this important election year, libraries throughout the state are helping to prepare their communities to make informed decisions as they head to the polls on November 8.

With the rise in computer use in our libraries, Register to Vote @ Your Library was created to meet the demands of Silicon Valley. The non-partisan voter registration drive is sponsored by the American Library Association, Working Assets and the League of Women Voters.

The program allows individuals to download voter registration materials at a single Web site: www.yourvotematters.org/ala. When citizens register to vote through this Web site, libraries receive extra funds thanks to a generous grant from Working Assets. Information on the issues will also be available on-line.

Coto Co-Authors AB 32 Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006

AB 32 Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006 (Núñez & Pavley) seeks to establish a mandatory reporting system to track and monitor greenhouse gas emission levels and institutes a limit on greenhouse gas emissions- requiring emission reductions in California to 1990 levels by the year 2020. There is a broad scientific agreement that global climate change, primarily due to the burning of fossil fuels, represents a real and growing threat to California’s future. Assemblyman Coto feels that the bill is critcal and it’s investment initiatives will provide both economic and environmental benefits to the state.

Assemblymember Coto Participates in National Radio Voter Registration Drive

On Monday, July 31, Assemblymember Joe Coto helped launch "Votos Por America", a national radio broadcast series and national caravan aimed at registering Spanish speakers to vote.

He joined national radio personality "El Cucuy" (Renan Almendariz Coello) to kick off this event in the 23rd District in San Jose.

The Votos Por America Caravan will travel to Los Angeles and San Diego then go on to Arizona, New Mexico, Illinois, Tennessee, Georgia, New York and end in Washington D.C. on August 11. The goal of this caravan is aimed at registering Spanish speaking US citizens to vote.

Joining Assemblymember Coto in the 23rd District for this historic event were Lieutenant Governor Cruz Bustamante, Senator Gil Cedillo, Singer Paquita La Del Barrio and other entertainers

Picture: Assemblymember Coto with Senator Cedillo
More information and photos from the event can be seen at http://www.cucuy.com/votosporamerica.asp.

Coto Delivers Spanish Version of Weekly Radio Address

Assemblymember Joe Coto recently delivered the Spanish version of the Legislative Democrats’ radio address concerning the reauthorization of the Voting Rights Act. In his remarks, Assemblymember Coto spoke about the limits to communities of color of that most basic of rights, the right to vote. While the President of the United States has spoken of the possibility of democracy in Afghanistan and Iraq, concerns still linger about Florida and Ohio’s ability to conduct fair and accurate elections.

A momentous out-pouring of support to pass the bill without amendment by the American people and the California State Legislature helped convince Congress to overcome objections to its reauthorization.

The right to vote is essential to democracy and “like the muscles of the human body; if you don’t use them, you risk losing them.” This year, Californians will have the responsibility to again “exercise the most precious of our civil rights.” In this way we can send a strong message to those who pose a threat to our right to vote.

To listen to the broadcast:
http://democrats.assembly.ca.gov/Newsline/Audio/200607222-VRA-Spanish.mp3
http://democrats.assembly.ca.gov/Newsline/Audio/200607222-VRA-English.mp3

City of San Jose Keeps Our Neighborhood Safe

On August 1st, neighborhoods throughout District 23 united in the fight against crime. Thousands of San Jose residents sent a clear message that our neighborhoods intend to take back the streets from criminal activity. “National Night Out” helps prevent crime in many ways, using block parties, cookouts, and free family outdoor movies to encourage San Jose’s residents to gather and get to know each other.

National Night Out is a fantastic way to make sure our community stays safe for all residents. The Coto office had the opportunity to send out representatives to many of the various National Night Out events across the city, and we were pleased to see what our neighborhoods can do when we work together. Assemblymember Coto congratulates the City of San Jose, and all of its participating Neighborhood Associations on many great events.

District 23 Says ALOHA to Intern, Scholar and Friend - Rafael Renteria

Rafael began his internship in our office a year ago and instantly became an invaluable part of our team.

As an intern in our office he handled constituent work, planning district events, researching critical issues and drafting Latino Caucus position papers. Our office was extremely impressed with the quality of Rafael's research and writing skills and the depth of his reports as well as his professionalism and positive attitude.

After completing high school at Silver Creek High School in the East Side Union High School District, Rafael went on to graduate from Stanford with a double major in English and Psychology. Rafael is one of those special individuals, who is intelligent, ethical, kind and generous. He reaches out to all people and makes them feel valued. His language fluency extends beyond English to Japanese and Spanish.

Rafael will be pursuing a law degree at the beautiful University of Hawaii this fall. Assemblymember Coto and his staff wish him well and expect him to return to San Jose after he earns his law degree to continue making a difference for the residents of our city. We have been honored to have him as a volunteer; his absence is already deeply felt.

Coto Honors Elbert Lee Reed in Memoriam

On Monday, July 31, 2006, Assemblymember Joe Coto joined many community members at the Memorial Service to honor Mr. Elbert Lee Reed at Emmanuel Baptist Church in the 23rd Assembly District in San Jose. Mr. Reed was a key community leader in San Jose. He served as the Executive Director for the African American Community Services Agency for many years. Mr. Reed was a strong advocate for equality and civil rights. He was active in numerous organizations and served on many boards and commission for such organizations as: the Boys Scouts of America, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Association of Santa Clara, Silicon Valley Capitol Club, 100 Black Men of San Jose Ming Quong Disabled Children’s Center, and the Ethics Board for the City of San Jose. Mr. Reed was also extremely active in youth sports as a coach and an official. “Mr. Reed’s legacy lives on in the bright, hopeful and just future that he created for the youth and citizens of the Santa Clara Valley region,” said Coto.

July Media Outreach

In an effort to highlight the importance of voting and voter registration and keep members of the 23rd District informed about key legislation, Assemblymember Coto appeared on two television shows this past month. He appeared with Bill Chew on “Neighbor Net” on Comcast Cable Television and with Damian Trujillo on “Comunidad Del Valle” on NBC Channel 11. Mr. Coto also taped a radio message on the importance of Latino voter registration and civic participation for use on public radio stations. There are over 4 million Latino citizens in California who are eligible to vote but have not registered. Mr. Coto is working with various organizations to engage this group and get them to participate in the electoral process.

Upcoming Events in District 23

For more information on please contact:
Assemblymember Joe Coto’s office
State Capitol, Room 2170
Sacramento, CA  95814
916.319.2023 (phone)
916.319.2123 (Fax)
assemblymember.coto@assembly.ca.gov

San Jose District Office
100 Paseo de San Antonio #300
San Jose, CA  95113
408.277.1220 (phone)
408.277.1036 (fax)