July 2009 Newsletter

A Resilient Business Community: The downturn of the economy has affected small businesses, but I am proud of the resiliency of companies in the Inland Empire that are making the proper adjustments and even thriving. On May 26, at the Sacramento Convention Center, I recognized Barbara Farned as the owner of Complete Health Center in Rialto, which was named Small Business of the Year for the 62nd Assembly District.

Dear Friends,

Our region has been faced with economic adjustments in the past and we recovered through determination, sacrifice, creativity and resourcefulness. History provides us perspective that the same core values from the past will transcend our current challenges. Our community members recognize that we all have a role to contribute for the improvement of the region.

We must remember that we have risen above challenging times before. We cannot waste our energy and resources pointing fingers; instead we must do our part to improve our community. As in the past, recovery and improvement will require us collectively to use determination, sacrifice, creativity and resourcefulness.

We will sacrifice together, we will build together, and we will benefit together. I cannot tell you when this will happen, but ultimately our community and our world will change for the better.

Wilmer Amina Carter
Assembly Member - District 62

Support for our Local Businesses: Pictured from left to right: Deen and Mike Teer, Assembly Member Carter, and Rick Violett at the National Association of Realtors Conference at the Sheraton Hotel in Sacramento on June 3.

Volunteers enrich the lives of others

Our First Lady, Michelle Obama, came to San Francisco on June 22, to the 2009 National Conference on Volunteering and Service. There she kicked off President Obama’s national effort, the Summer of Service initiative, by helping to repair a school playground, and promoting the value of volunteering. One of Assembly Member Carter’s Facebook friends, Carla Mays, a philanthropy consultant, attended the conference and posted on Carter’s page that the key to improving our country is volunteerism at all age levels.

Assembly Member Carter would like to remind her constituents of the importance of volunteerism and public service. Volunteering is an opportunity to help enrich the lives of others and give back to your community. There are multiple websites to learn about opportunities for volunteering here and throughout our country and the world. They include Hands On Inland Empire http://handsoninlandempire.org, the California Conservation Corps http://www.ccc.ca.gov/, California Volunteers http://www.californiavolunteers.org, City Year http://www.cityyear.org/ , AmeriCorps http://www.americorps.gov/, and the PeaceCorps http://www.peacecorps.gov/.

Celebrating Our Graduates

On June 20, Assembly Member Carter (far right) attended commencement ceremonies for graduates of the College of Business and Public Administration at California State University, San Bernadino (CSUSB). At podium is President Albert Karnig, speaking.

June 6, Assembly Member Carter stopped by the American Heritage University of Southern California 2009 graduation. Left to Right: President of American Sports University, Tony BE Ogiamien, Ph.D.; Assembly Member Carter; and Baba Gana Wakil, the Nigerian Ambassador to the United States.

Celebrate our nation's heritage on Fourth of July

Assembly Member Carter wishes everyone a wonderful Fourth of July as we celebrate our freedom and our Independence Day.

Fireworks, one of the greatest symbols of our heritage on the Fourth of July, unfortunately raise issues of safety. It is important to remember that there are regulations on fireworks that vary throughout cities within the 62nd Assembly District. Illegal fireworks, such as the M-80, cherry bombs, etc., are prohibited everywhere.

Muscoy and Bloomington prohibit all fireworks. Areas south of the 210 Freeway in San Bernardino allow legal fireworks, some of which are called “safe and sane.” These fireworks, however, are not allowed at city parks, public streets, and public parking lots. Fontana and Rialto allow the use of “safe and sane” fireworks only.

Assembly Member Carter meets with her Advisory Council

Assembly Member Carter’s 62nd Assembly District Advisory Council includes community leaders and activists who are active in the local community in various areas such as youth, veterans, green jobs, education and other areas of concern in our region. Council members serve as the Assembly Member’s “eyes and ears” in the community to identify problems that can be addressed by bringing state resources to bear.

Council committee chairs met with Assembly Member Carter on June 19 in a “Visioning Session” to outline upcoming initiatives and events. Members will launch a town hall resource fair early in the fall.

Bringing state resources to the 62nd District: Assembly Member Carter met with her 62nd Assembly District Advisory Council on June 19, at her District Office in Rialto to identify problems that could be addressed with state resources.

Clockwise from left, Fatima Cristerna (Youth Committee), Health Education Program Manager, Planned Parenthood of Orange and San Bernardino Counties; Roxanne Pena, (Foster Youth Advocacy Committee), president, Colton Chamber of Commerce; Imran Farooq (Workforce Committee), founding partner, OMNI International; Assembly Member Carter; Dolores Armstead (Economic Development Committee), president, Boys and Girls Club of San Bernardino; Joseph Williams (Community Relations Committee), CEO, Youth Action Project; Carole Sanders (Transportation Committee), consulting engineer, Cypress Bridge; Ladan Ask, (Health Committee), political science professor, Claremont College. Also attending, and not pictured were Marion Black (Veterans Committee), businessman; and Pauline Tidler (Senior Issues Committee) and Rialto community volunteer.

Free medicine for those in need

For newly unemployed or low-income Americans, Pfizer is providing an assistance program for those who need help getting Pfizer pharmaceuticals. There are about 75 types of prescriptions available.

The eligibility requirements for newly unemployed Americans are: loss of employment since January 2009; taking prescribed Pfizer medicine for at least 3 months; lack of prescription drug coverage and financial hardship.

The eligibility requirements for low-income Americans are: a single individual earning $21,660 per year; a family of two earning $29,140 per year; a family of three earns $36,620 per year; a family of four earning $44,100 per year; or a family of five earning $51,580 per year. For more information, visit www.PfizerHelpfulAnswers.com or call 1-866-706-2400.

Educating And Mentoring Young Women: On June 12, Assembly Member Carter addressed young women and shared stories of perseverance and success at the Inland Empire Job Corps’ Women’s Conference. The June 12 conference in Muscoy educated and inspired women in the areas of education, employment, physical and emotional health.

Legislative Update - Assembly Member Carter's bills

According to a 2007 study by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, almost 12 million cosmetic plastic surgery procedures were performed in 2007, a 59 percent increase from 2000. Many people do not foresee the potential risks associated with elective cosmetic surgery. With this in mind, I have authored AB 1116 – a consumer protection bill known as the Donda West Law. It was named for the mother of Kanye West who died of complications after having cosmetic surgery. This measure simply states that prior to a patient undergoing elective cosmetic surgery, an appropriate physical must be completed, which ensures that a patient is healthy enough to undergo an elective surgery. This measure will potentially save lives. Currently, it is awaiting a final floor vote in the State Senate.

Brotherhood And Community Service: June 22 was Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Day at the State Capitol. Since 1911, the fraternity has undertaken a National Social Action Program to meet the needs of African Americans in the areas of health, housing, civil rights and education. Pictured on the Assembly Floor from left to right: Rickey Lewis, Assembly Member Carter, Assembly Member Sandra Swanson, Assembly Member Isadore Hall, Assembly Speaker Karen Bass, James Walker, Willie Washington and Sedrick Spencer.

Assembly Member Carter's legislation helps achieve our ideal of equality

As we celebrate the first African American to hold the office of U.S. President, we must go back in history and remember how President Barack Obama was able to achieve such an American dream. Forty-five years ago, on July 2, 1964, it became illegal to discriminate based on race in schools, public places and places of employment. On that day, President Lyndon Johnson signed the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Today, everyone can celebrate the ideal that founded our nation: that all people are created equal. Although the struggle continues, we strive towards a more perfect union. We know that racial issues still exist, which is why I have authored AB 412. This bill will add the hanging of a noose – an historic symbol of bigotry in the Deep South – to the list of hate crimes.

Supporting Future College Students

From left, first place winners and other participants: A. Majadi, Danny Tillman, Senator Gloria Negrete McLeod, Assembly Member Carter, Supervisor Josie Gonzales, Otis Lacey, and Anthony Moore. About 60 golfers participated and winners were recognized at a banquet later that evening.

Assembly Member Carter hosted “The Wilmer Amina Carter Foundation” golf tournament at Sierra Lakes Golf Course in Fontana on June 12. The purpose of the event was to raise money for scholarships, internships and workshop opportunities for graduates of Wilmer Amina Carter High School and other youth leadership programs.

The students selected as 2009 scholarship recipients from Carter High School were Jaquelina Bencomo, Zennon Cortez, Mariana Flores, Eduardo Hernandez, Jessica Huizar, Kevin Jordan, Sarah Khosravanizah, Laurette Lepore, Andre Loftis, Andrea Marquez, David Martinez, Breeyanna Morales, Haven Moses, Dominque Palmer, Jasmine Peralta, Vanessa Polanco, Jaye Quemada, Adam Reyes, Kiara Robles, Yadira Sanchez, Cameron Scott, Sukhvir Singh, Alonna Trotter, Kristie Uhler, Ashley Warner, Aysia Washington, Karissa Watt, James White and Brittany Winkfield.

Helping Our Youth Succeed

On June 20, Legends by Lang, a nonprofit sports educational organization, held a football clinic and motivational event with prizes for hundreds of youths at Arroyo High School in San Bernardino. The Wilmer Amina Carter Foundation was one of the sponsors. From left, Ruben Juarigue Jr., Austin Mills, Assembly Member Carter and Mark Kirkland.

Yellow Ribbon Week recognizes our troops

HONORING OUR MILITARY: District 62 Veteran of the Year Danny Flores was recognized at the State Capital on June 17. He is seen here with Assembly Member Carter.

Assembly Member Carter joined her colleagues in authoring ACR 81, which proclaims the week of June 29 through July 5, 2009 as Yellow Ribbon Week. Californians are proud of our troops and their families every week of the year, and Yellow Ribbon Week provides an opportunity for us to extend sincerest appreciation for the sacrifices that military families and our troops are making. Yellow Ribbon Week commemorates our troops and their families with ceremonial activities. As the resolution states: “The concept is a simple one, locals helping locals. Local businesses, residents, churches, and community groups focusing their resources on helping military members and their families in their communities.”

Community Involvement

Assembly Member Carter participates as a panelist at the Native American Caucus of the California Democratic Party Women's Issues Forum held on Saturday, June 6, at the Agua Caliente Resort and Casino in Rancho Mirage. Pictured left to right: Assembly Member Carter, Gina Mirelez of Rancho Cucamonga, and Fourth District Commissioner Irene Hernandez-Blair, from the County of San Bernardino Human Resources Department Commission on the Status of Women.

How would you solve California's budget crisis?

If you live within the 62nd Assembly District, click on “Budget Solutions: Let Your Voice Be Heard” to let Assembly Member Carter know how you would solve California’s $24 billion budget deficit.