July 2008 Newsletter

Dear Friends:

This month, our youth are on summer vacation. July is the hottest month of the year, and many people spend their days swimming and doing what they can to beat the heat. I would like to encourage you, your family and friends to be safe and to use common sense as you enjoy the summer months. Drink plenty of water, use sunscreen when outdoors, and take advantage of shade as often as possible.

As the summer gets hotter, I would also like to remind all of my friends and neighbors in the Inland Empire that California faces one of the driest summers on record. The legislature has called for a special emergency session to address our water shortage, and Californians must take extra steps to conserve our precious drinking water. Be sure to use water wisely this summer so that this crisis does not escalate.

I wish you a very pleasant and safe summer.

Sincerely,

Wilmer Amina Carter

Congratulations high school valedictorians in the 62nd Assembly District

Bloomington High School

Francisco Banchon will attend UC Berkeley. Advanced Placement classes and hours of homework dominated his schedule in high school.

Colton High School

Sara Medina plans to attend Stanford University and study political science and psychology. During high school, she was involved in the debate team and the Believers Club.

Fontana High School

Laura Rita Froelich will attend the University of Redlands.  She plans to major in psychology to become a therapist.

Wilmer Amina Carter High School

Fritz Foo will attend UC Berkeley.  He will follow his brother, Seyron Foo, who was a 2007 Capitol Intern for Assembly Member Carter.  In high school, Fritz was a leader in Interact, a Rotary-sponsored community service club. He also swam and played water polo.

San Bernardino High School

Trang Nguyen will attend UC Irvine to study psychology. In high school, she played tennis, ran track and painted when not busy with her studies.

Hands-free cell phone laws take effect

There are two new vehicle laws going into effect on July 1 that affect all California drivers. One law prohibits all drivers from using a handheld wireless telephone while operating a motor vehicle.  Drivers may use a hands-free device, such as a Bluetooth device, or the speaker function on a cell phone while operating a vehicle, but they are prohibited from using a push-to-talk function while driving.  Another law prohibits all drivers under the age of 18 from using any wireless telephone or hands-free device while operating a motor vehicle.

If drivers are caught violating these laws, penalties range from fines of $20 for the first offense, with additional offenses costing $50.  Officers may still pull over drivers who appear distracted while driving, and the CHP advises that all drivers should avoid text messaging or engaging in other activities that distract drivers from safely operating a vehicle.

The new laws are intended to prevent car accidents that are the result of distracted driving.  The CHP reports that using a cell phone while driving has been linked to higher rates of traffic collisions.  

The California Highway Patrol has more information regarding this law at http://www.chp.ca.gov/pdf/media/cell_phone_faq.pdf

If you have any questions or concerns regarding this new law, please contact Assembly Member Carter’s district office or visit her website.

Kids enjoy football day camp inspired by former NFL running back David Lang

Fletcher Lang, brother of the late NFL football player David Lang and Assembly Member Carter at the Legends by Lang Football Day Camp at Carter High School.

Former NFL players coached and inspired 400 young people in football drills at Wilmer Amina Carter High School on June 14 to carry on the legacy of David Lang, a former NFL running back from Rialto. The event, Legends by Lang, was organized by Fletcher Lang, a Wilmer Amina Carter High School security guard, who took over the youth mentoring program that his brother David started following his successful football career with the Los Angeles Rams and Dallas Cowboys. David Lang, an Eisenhower High School graduate who played in the 1995 Super Bowl for the Dallas Cowboys, was fatally shot on May 20, 2005.

"The discipline that these youth learn in sports will translate into every aspect of their lives, whether it be education, family life or being a productive citizen in their community," said Assembly Member Carter, who was one of the sponsors of the event.

Assembly Member Carter presents synagogue honorees with resolution

Assembly Member Carter extended her congratulations in June to the 2008 recipients of the prestigious Rabbi Norman F. Feldheym Award bestowed by Congregation Emanu El in San Bernardino. Honorees Caroldyne and Hershel Swedlove have evidenced their love and loyalty to the synagogue since 1966 by being exceedingly generous with their time and resources. Prior to that, the Swedloves, owners and operators of Morris Automotive supply in Fontana, provided leadership to Temple Israel of Fontana. A resolution from the California State Legislature was presented in their honor at a dinner on June 14 at Congregation Emanu El, which marked the synagogue’s 117th anniversary. 

Carter in the Community

 Fontana Mayor Pro Tem Acquanetta Warren; state Senator Gloria Negrete McLeod; Assembly Member Carter; and 5th District San Bernardino County Supervisor Josie Gonzales at the Fontana Mayor’s Gala.

Kelly Olsen Binks, Fontana Unified School District Superintendent; Gus Hawthorn, school board member; Margaret Hill, San Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools Assistant Superintendent; and Assembly Member Carter.

Cal State San Bernardino President Albert K. Karnig; Vanessa Segura, 2008 Outstanding undergraduate political science student; Assembly Member Carter; Dean Jamal Nassar of the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences; and CSUSB Provost Luis A. Fernandez at the June 14 CSUSB Commencement.

 
International Association of Workforce Professionals Inland Empire Sub-Chapter Awards event:  Judy Jones, legislative chair; Assembly Member Carter; Debbie Barcelona; treasurer and Michelle Stevenson.

(L to R) Moises Lizama, Avid and Summa Scholar graduate and Assembly Member Carter at San Bernardino High School graduation. Ms. Carter served as the 2008 commencement speaker.

A morning of training with the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department Arms Training Division.

Assembly Member Carter meets with representatives from the San Bernardino County WIC program in her Capitol office.  (L to R) Glenda Randolph, Assembly Member Carter, Charlene Walters, and Shelly Lewis.

Assembly Member Carter meets with constituents from Temple Learning Center on June 18.  (L to R) Claudia McNiel, Monica Meza, Lisa Blacksher, Richard Blacksher, Raemon Edwards, and Anthony Blacksher.

On June 12, Assembly Member Carter met the President of Chile, Michelle Bachelet Jeria, after an address to the California State Assembly.  President Bachelet spoke of the strong economic ties between the United States and Chile.

Assembly Member Carter meets with the new Legislative Black Caucus Sacramento Summer Interns earlier this month.  (L to R) Linton Borden, Kiara Hill, Tara Lewis, William A. Johnson, Assembly Member Carter, Lerato Mathabathe, Arium Tsighe, Virginia Woodfork, and Anthony Vernon.

The award-winning California Cadet Corps attended Assembly Member Carter’s veterans reception.