SACRAMENTO - In a formal ceremony today at the State Capitol, Hector De La Torre was sworn into office for the 2005-2006 legislative session.

De La Torre was elected November 2 to represent the 50th Assembly District which is located in Southeast Los Angeles County and includes the cities of Bell, Bell Gardens, Bellflower, Commerce, Cudahy, Downey, Lynwood and South Gate, as well as the unincorporated communities of Florence-Graham and Walnut Park.

Assemblyman De La Torre was a leader in the 2003 efforts to recall corrupt officials in the City of South Gate. On his first day he was quick to introduce his first piece of legislation aimed at strengthening government ethics laws. The bill would limit the compensation for city council members sitting on commissions and/or agencies that they created to no more than $150 per month. This would close a loophole that some city officials have used to make thousands of dollars more.

"I am honored that my fellow citizens have put their trust in me as their representative in the Legislature, and I take this responsibility very seriously," said Assemblyman De La Torre, a Democrat. "As soon as I was elected, I went straight to work on my legislative package with a focus on strengthening the integrity of our state and local governments. I strongly believe that effective leadership and representation begins with meeting the public trust."

De La Torre served on the Executive Board of the Gateway Cities Council of Governments, a joint power authority that includes most of the 50th Assembly District. As Vice President of the Gateway Cities, he tackled many regional issues such as improvements to the 710 Corridor. In addition, De La Torre worked as a Judicial Administrator with the California Superior Court in Los Angeles County.

Twenty-four newly elected members joined the Assembly today: 15 Democrats and nine Republicans. The lower house of the Legislature is composed of 80 Assemblymembers, each representing approximately a half-million Californians.