PHOTOS
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May 9, 2008 - Assemblymember Parra with honorees at her 3rd Annual Garden Tea Party. The nine women were recognized for their outstanding community contributions throughout Kern County |
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May 7, 2008 - Assemblymember Parra is joined by Assemblymember Mary Salas, Chair of Assembly Veterans Affairs Committee, in presenting Justin Bond of Hanford with the “Veteran of the Year” honor for the 30th Assembly District. |
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May 5, 2008 - Assemblymember Parra joins Speaker Núñez, Latino Caucus Chair Assemblymember Joe Coto, and other legislators in honoring NFL Hall of Fame great Jim Plunkett with a Latino Spirit Award. |
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May 5, 2008 - Assemblymember Parra presents former National Football League (NFL) great Jim Plunkett with a Resolution during the Latino Spirit Award. The ceremonies honored Latinos making significant contributions to California and its communities. Plunkett is active in a number of charitable organizations. |
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April 23, 2008 - Assemblymember Parra speaks at the California Latino Water Coalition Capitol news conference urging lawmakers to renew talks on a comprehensive water bond. |
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April 18, 2008 - Speaker-Elect Karen Bass joins Assemblymember Parra and civic leaders from the City of Mendota to discuss Central Valley water issues and its impact on local economies and communities. |
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March 10, 2008 - Assemblymember Nicole Parra and Speaker-Elect Karen Bass honor Patricia Cowles as Woman of the Year from the 30th Assembly District. The award was given during a ceremony on the Assembly Floor to commemorate extraordinary women in California actively working toward making a difference in their respective communities. |
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March 7, 2008 - Assemblymember Nicole Parra with Captain David Scott of the Hanford Police Department. Captain Scott was honored for his 31 years of service and dedication to the community. |
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February 29, 2008 - Assemblymember Parra reads Dr. Seuss to a second-grade class at Roosevelt Elementary School in Bakersfield as part of Read Across America Day. |
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February 6, 2008 - Assemblymember Parra conducts an interview to celebrate the launching of an exhibit honoring the Town of Allensworth on its 100th Anniversary.
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December 20, 2007 - Governor Schwarzenegger is joined by Assemblymember Nicole Parra, Assemblymember Juan Arambula, and Mayor Alan Autry in Fresno to discuss health care reform. |
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November 20, 2007 - Assemblymember Parra is joined by former Lieutenant Governor Cruz Bustamante and entertainer Paul Rodriguez in Fresno County as part of Operation Gobble. In what has become an annual tradition for the 30th Assembly District, Parra gave away approximately 1,400 turkeys to families throughout the district at events in Fresno, Hanford, and Bakersfield. Numerous community groups and individuals contributed to the effort. |
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October 6 , 2007 - Assemblymember Parra rides in the City of Delano's 62nd Annual Harvest Holidays Grand Festival and Parade. |
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October 5 , 2007 - Assembly Public Safety Committee Chairman Jose Solorio, Kings County Sheriff Chris Jordan, Hanford Police Chief Carlos Mestas, Corcoran Police Chief Reuben Shortnacy, Assemblymember Nicole Parra, and Lemoore Police Chief Kimberly Morrell meet to discuss ways to combat the region’s growing methamphetamine problem. |
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October 2, 2007 - Assemblymember Nicole Parra reads to 1st graders at El Camino Real Elementary School in Arvin. |
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September 22, 2007 - Assemblymember Parra joins 500 kids at a Family Fun Fishing Day celebration in Kern County. |
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September 20 , 2007 - Union Bank officials and Assemblymember Parra present funds to Habitat to Humanity for construction of a new home in Bakersfield. |
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July 24, 2007 - Assemblywoman Parra enjoys another round of bingo with Avenal seniors. |
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July 23, 2007 - Assemblywoman Parra at press conference to announce the "American Heroes Getting the American Dream" Home Buyers Seminar in Hanford. Local leaders and community representatives attended the kick-off in support of the event. |
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June 26, 2007 - Assemblymember Parra sponsors the Valley Leadership Institute's Class of 2007 during a three days of training, speakers, and events in Sacramento |
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June 4, 2007 - Assemblymember Parra joins local community and political leaders in voting for legislation to protect Colonel Allensworth State Historical Park” . |
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May 23, 2007 - Students from Maple School in Shafter join Assemblymember Parra and Assembly Minority Leader Michael Villines on the Assembly floor. |
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May 11, 2007 - Assemblymember Parra recognizes the contributions twelve women throughout Kern County for their contributions to their communities. |
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March 5, 2007 - Speaker Núñez and Assemblymember Parra present Magda Menendez of Kern County with the 2007 Woman of the Year award, representing the 30th Assembly District. |
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On May 2, 2007, Assemblymember Parra honors Daljinder Chauhan from the 30th Assembly District during the annual California Small Business Association awards ceremony. Mr. Chauhan is accompanied by his father-in-law for the presentation. |
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On April 25, 2007, Assemblymember Parra introduced AB 1505, with representatives from the legal and business community. AB 1505 would update class-action lawsuit laws in California in concert with federal laws. |
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On April 1, 2007, Assemblymember Parra joins community leaders in Bakersfield to raise funds and awareness for victims of the devastating Citrus Freeze. |
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On March 29, 2007, Students and teachers from R.J. Neutra Elementary School in Kings County visit Assemblymember Parra during a field trip to Sacramento. |
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On August 19, 2006, I hosted an informational town hall, at the Delano School Board Chambers, regarding Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger’s prison reform proposals.
James E. Tilton, Secretary of the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, and Ron Ramsey, President of the Association of California Cities Allied With Prisons (ACCAP), also participated in the town hall. The informational session provided an overview of the legislative package Governor Schwarzenegger unveiled earlier this week in his effort to reform California’s prison system. In June, Governor Schwarzenegger called for a special session of the state legislature to address the problems facing California’s prison system and to consider his proposals for reform. The Governor’s legislative proposals are now being evaluated in both the Senate and the Assembly. |
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On August 14, 2006, Assemblywoman Parra and James Tilton, Secretary of the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, joined a bi-partisan coalition of legislators and public safety advocates at a press conference unveiling Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger’s legislative package on prison reform.
Assemblywoman Parra is authoring AB 4, one of the bill’s in the Governor’s reform package. AB 4 would allow the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation to construct up to 5,000 reentry beds throughout the State. |
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On August 7-10, 2006, Assemblywoman Parra hosted a delegation of Central Valley community leaders as part of the 2006 Valley Leadership Institute (VLI), in Sacramento.
The purpose of the VLI is to promote interest in the formation of public policy, to provide meaningful access to decision makers, and to help facilitate a working network of leaders in the 30th Assembly District. Speakers at this year’s VLI will include Administration officials, legislators, and advocacy groups. |
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On July 28, 2006, Assemblywoman Parra took part in the unveiling of a new water treatment plant that will ensure the delivery of safe drinking water to the residents of Corcoran.
After more than two years of design and construction, the City of Corcoran has begun using their new water treatment plant. The plant, which was designed and constructed by Quad Knopf, will help the City of Corcoran continue its commitment to the community to provide safe drinking by conforming to the new standards for drinking water set forth by the federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The plant represents a landmark accomplishment for the Central Valley, as the scope and design of the plant is the first of its kind in the valley. Located at the existing Station 1 site on Orange Ave. in Corcoran, the plant will have the capability to treat all of the City’s seven wells combined, a first for a plant of its kind in the Central Valley, rather than providing treatment at the individual wellheads. Additionally, the finished water can be stored in a two million gallon holding tank located on the site and not scattered across a number of smaller tanks. |
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On June 23, 2006, Assemblywoman Parra presented special awards to ten women, from the 30th Assembly District, as part of a ceremony honoring “Leading Ladies” in the Central Valley.
The following individuals were recognized for their community service efforts and achievements: Leonor Lopez – Lamont, Labor Union Community Liaison To view picture of the event, please click on the following link. |
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On June 24, 2006, Assemblywoman Parra received the Legislator of the Year Award at the 88th Annual American Legion Department of California Convention, held at the Fresno Convention Center.
Assemblywoman Parra has previously been recognized for her work on military and veterans affairs by the California National Guard, which presented her with its highest civilian honor, The Order of California Public Service Award (2003), and by the California Association of County Veteran Service Officers (CVSO), which named her as its Legislator of the Year in 2004. |
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On June 21, 2006, Assemblywoman Parra announced the passage of AB 2645, also known as Esmeralda’s Law, from the Senate Education Committee by a vote of 7-0. AB 2645 clarifies existing law by noting that students are allowed to wear hats during their physical education courses as protection from sun overexposure, a leading factor in skin cancer incidences.
Earlier this year, Assemblywoman Parra visited John Muir Middle School in Corcoran. During a meeting with Ms. Celeste Cook’s 6th grade class, the students made a presentation on skin cancer and requested that clarification be made to current statute – SB 1632 (Billy’s Law, 2002) by Senator Don Perata – to emphasize that hats, not only sunscreen, can be used by students, at school, without a doctor’s note or parental permission. The students were inspired after learning about the tragic death of Esmeralda Perez, who died last December, at the age of 20, from skin cancer. Esmeralda is the daughter of Lillian Perez, a teacher and literacy coach at Corcoran’s John C. Fremont Elementary School. Lillian Perez, has been working closely with the students at John Muir to educate parents and students about skin cancer prevention. |
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On June 17, 2006, Assemblywoman Parra participated in a ceremoney to thank the sponsors of the Latina Action Day Mentorship Program. Assemblywoman Parra, Latina Leaders of Kern County, the Housing Authority of Kern County, and the Girl Scouts-Joshua Tree Council worked together to mentor 45 young women from the Central Valley. The girls participated in the annual Latina Action Day Conference on April 25, 2006 in Sacramento. They learned about the democratic process and key issues key youth issues, such as, college preparation and teen pregnancy. This unique experience exposed these young women to local and state leaders, public policy and the importance of social action to assist in mentoring the future leaders of tomorrow.
To view picture of the event, please click on the following link. |
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On May 29, 2006, Assemblywoman Parra took part in a Memorial Day service for fallen soldiers at the Shafter Cemetery. Assemblywoman Parra, along with Assemblyman Kevin McCarthy, Senator Dean Florez, and other community members successfully organized the effort to replace the cemetery's old wooden flag poles with metal ones.
To view picture of the event, please click on the following link. |
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On April 29, 2006, Assemblywoman Parra attended a Cinco De Mayo Parade, held annually, in the City of McFarland. She appreciated the warm reception she received from the McFarland community and values the time that so many children took to walk in the parade.
To view picture of the event, please click on the following link. |
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On April 24, 2006, Crime Victims United (CVUC) honored Assemblywoman Nicole Parra as its “Legislator of the Year,” for the second consecutive year.
The presentation of the award occurred during a daytime program, outside the State Capitol. As part of 2006 National Crime Victims’ Rights Week (April 23-29), the CVUC held its 17th Annual Victims’ March on the Capitol, sponsored by the California Correctional Peace Officers Association (CCPOA). During the program, Assemblywoman Parra was commended for her strong support of crime victims and her tough stance on public safety issues. To view picture of the event, please click on the following link. |
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On April 22, 2006, Assemblywoman Nicole Parra participated in the Lemoore Pizza Festival in downtown Lemoore. She joined a number of community members as they grouped off into teams and created their own pizzas.
To view pictures from this event, please access the following link. |
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On April 19, 2006, Assemblywoman Nicole Parra joined a delegation of local San Joaquin Valley elected officials and water leaders, all of whom represent significant Latino communities and constituencies at a news conference. The group addressed the need for additional surface water storage in the San Joaquin Valley. They particularly highlighted the importance of including funding for Temperance Flat Dam above Millerton Lake in this November’s state infrastructure bond measure.
Senator Jeff Denham (R-Merced), Assembly Members Nicole Parra (D-Hanford), Dave Cogdill (R-Modesto), Bill Maze (R-Visalia), Juan Arambula (D-Fresno), Barbara Matthews (D-Tracy), Doug La Malfa (R-Richvale), and Mike Villines (R-Clovis) also joined the Central Valley delegation of local government officials. Please take a look at pictures from the event by following this link. |
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On April 11, 2006, Assemblywoman Nicole Parra toured the HOMAC manufacturing facilities in Corcoran, where she visited with facilities management personnel and other employees.
Please click on the following link to view pictures from her visit. |
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On April 6, 2006, Assemblywoman Nicole M. Parra (D-Hanford) joined Senator Jeff Denham (R-Merced), Assemblyman Michael Villines (R-Fresno), and other Central Valley leaders at a press conference held at the Friant Dam – participants also took an aerial tour of the surrounding region. The group met to highlight the need to fix the state’s broken levee system and to call for additional surface water storage facilities, with a special emphasis on the proposed construction of a dam at Temperance Flat.
If you would like to see pictures from the news conference, please follow this link. |
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On February 10, 2006, Assemblywoman Nicole Parra joined community veterans groups in presenting Valentine’s Day cards to patients at the Fresno Veteran’s Administration (VA) Hospital. Accompanying Assemblywoman Parra were members of the Corcoran VFW, Post # 6358; the Hanford American Legion, Post # 3; the Kern County American Legion, Post #865; the Marine Corp League, Kings County Detachment # 455; and the Tulare AMVETS, Post #56.
Please click the following link to see pictures from the bus ride. |
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On January 18, 2006, I joined Assemblywoman Bonnie Garcia and many others at a press conference to urge the leadership of the Assembly to provide additional monies from the State’s general fund for distribution to law enforcement to support local Sexual Assault Felony Enforcement (SAFE) team programs.
SAFE teams are made up of members from the Department of Justice, County Sheriff’s, probation department and local police departments to share information and resources so that they may locate convicted sex offenders who are not complying by the terms of their parole. Though SAFE teams have been extremely successful in detaining convicted sex offenders, the program is not statewide. It is my hope that in the near future we can incorporate SAFE teams throughout the state. |
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On May 16, 2004, Assemblywoman Nicole M. Parra joined California Army National Guard leaders in a "Welcome Home Ceremony" for the 270th Military Police Company.
The troops were based at Baghdad Airport in Iraq in June 2003, and served there through January 2004. The 270th Military Police Company participated in over 200 missions and logged over 35,800 miles on what is considered to be the most dangerous main supply routes in Iraq. Several Purple Heart and Bronze Star Medals were awarded during today's ceremony. The 270th suffered one casualty while in Iraq. Please click the following link to view pictures of this event. |