Mountain Views News, Sierra Madre Edition [Pasadena] Saturday, April 8, 2017

SATURDAY, APRIL 8, 2017

SECTION B

AROUND SAN GABRIEL VALLEY

SENATOR ANTHONY J. PORTANTINO RECOGNIZES 
10 WOMEN OF THE YEAR FROM SD 25

THEY’RE BACK!

Arrogate and Hoppertunity Return to Baffert’s Barn


Pasadena, CA – On Sunday, March 26, Senator Anthony 
J. Portantino (D – La Cañada Flintridge) had the privilege 
of honoring ten exemplary women from Senate District 
25 in the courtyard of Pasadena City Hall. The California 
State Legislature first recognized March as Women’s 
History Month in 1987 and has continued the tradition. 
Each year members of the State Legislature recognize the 
exceptional women in their district with a celebration 
commemorating their efforts. 

 This year’s honorees of SD25 are different in age and 
unique in their advocacy. The strength of their efforts is 
reflected in their success and their life accomplishments.

. Alma Hernández — Glendale, Executive Director for
SEIU California, an organization dedicated to electing 
candidates and passing policies that benefit SEIU’s 
700,000 members and their families in California. 
. Alta Skinner — San Dimas, Alta Skinner is a
community advocate, a compassionate volunteer and 
strong supporter of children with special needs in 
education. 
. Angela Aguirre — Pasadena, Angela Aguirre is a
Chicana Feminist poet who enjoys mentoring youth and 
using her creativity in meaningful ways. 
. Claire Bogaard — Pasadena, One of the founding
members of Pasadena Heritage, a community based 
historic preservation organization. 
. Dr. Geraldine Perri — Glendora, Superintendent and
President of Citrus College since 2008. She has over 30 
years of college administrative and faculty experience. 
. Juanita De Vaughn — Altadena, A natural leader, she
has dedicated her life to her community and its needs. 
. Lisa Pitney — La Crescenta, Vice President of
Government Relations of the Walt Disney Company 
since 1996. She represents the company to city, county 
and state governments throughout the U.S. 
. Marsha Ramos — Burbank, Small business owner of
Geosystems, an environmental, geotechnical and land 
consulting firm, serves on the Board of the Metropolitan 
Water District, and a community leader 
. Mary Najarian — Glendale, A passionate supporter of
her Armenian community, always responding to its call. 
. Sheri Bonner — Pasadena, Sheri Bonner has been
a part of the Planned Parenthood family for over 25 
years and has served as President and CEO of Planned 
Parenthood Pasadena and San Gabriel Valley.


 “It is such an honor to be able to recognize the 2017 
Women of the Year from Senate District 25 today,” 
commented Senator Portantino. “Their advocacy and 
service to the community serves as sterling example for 
us all. 

REPS. SCHIFF, GRIJALVA & SEN. BALDWIN 
DENOUNCE EXCLUSION OF LGBT DATA FROM 
CONSIDERATION FOR CENSUS

By Joan Schmidt

 This Saturday a little after noon, the trailer FINALLY 
pulled up near Bob Baffert’s Barn and Arrogate, 
America’s richest racing horse arrived at the Great 
Race Place. He and his traveling partner Hoppertunity 
had arrived at LAX shorting before 11:00 AM and 
a nice little crowd patiently waited. Mike Smith of 
course was there, but Julia Roberts didn’t make it this 
time! It was really exciting to watch these great horses 
led off the trailer. 

 In Dubai, Mike Smith rode Arrogate and Flavien Pratt, 
currently Santa Anita’s jockey with the most 57 wins was 
on Hoppertunity. That race in Dubai truly was the most 
exciting one ever. Arrogate did not break well and was at 
the back, but he eventually found his niche and began to 
move. The ending was spectacular! Welcome back!

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Representatives 
Adam Schiff (D-CA), Raúl M. Grijalva (D-AZ) and 
Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) led 86 Members 
of Congress in sending a bicameral letter to the U.S. 
Census Bureau Director John Thompson and Office 
of Management and Budget (OMB) Director Mick 
Mulvaney, expressing strong disapproval of the Census 
Bureau’s decision to remove data collection on LGBT 
individuals for consideration for the 2020 Census and 
the American Community Survey (ACS). The Census 
Director said, “Our review concluded there was no 
federal data need to change the planned census and 
ACS subjects.” Rep. Schiff led a letter for FY 2017 and 
FY 2018 to House appropriators requesting funding for 
the U.S. Census Bureau to conduct data collection on 
the LGBT community. Rep. Grijalva and Sen. Baldwin 
introduced the LGBT Data Inclusion Act last year 
which would require federal agencies to collect data on 
this population in federal population surveys to ensure 
policymakers have the data necessary to address the 
communities’ needs.

 The federal government, states, and local communities 
use census data to determine how to allocate resources 
to meet the needs of certain populations. Despite this 
critical mission, no comprehensive federal population 
survey currently asks respondents to share their sexual 
orientation and gender identity, meaning that even the 
most basic of statistics – the number of people who 
identify as LGBT – is undeterminable.

The text of the lawmakers’ letter is below.

Dear Directors Thompson and Mulvaney 

We write to express our strong disapproval of the 
Census Bureau’s decision to not include consideration 
of data collection on lesbian, gay, bisexual, and 
transgender individuals in the 2020 Census and 
American Community Survey. While the Subjects 
Planned for the 2020 Census and American 
Community Survey (ACS) report released on Tuesday, 
March 28th appears to have initially considered 
including sexual orientation and gender identity as a 
proposed subject, we are concerned that the finalized 
report does not include any reference to proposed 
inclusion of LGBT identities in the Census or ACS. 
Additionally, we are deeply troubled that in follow-
up statements, Director Thompson claims that the 
rationale for excluding LGBT identities is that there is 
no federal need for such information.

 As you know, the Bureau routinely collects 
demographic information through the decennial 
census and the annual ACS. The federal government, 
states, and local communities rely on Census and ACS 
data to determine how resources should be allocated 
to meet the needs of certain populations. Despite this 
critical mission, neither of these assessments, nor any 
other major federal population survey, currently asks 
respondents to share their sexual orientation and 
gender identity. This means that even the most basic of 
statistics – the number of people who identify as LGBT 
– cannot be counted.

 A number of pieces of federal legislation passed by 
Congress, implicitly or explicitly, include protections 
on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity. 
Countless programs implemented under these, and 
other laws, serve LGBT people; some to a distinctly 
disproportionate extent. There is no doubt that there 
is both a statutory benefit and a programmatic need to 
collect sexual orientation and gender identity data if we 
want federal agencies to undertake their work in the 
most efficient and effective manner possible.

 Despite tremendous progress in the fight to secure 
equal recognition under the law, LGBT Americans 
continue to face discrimination in facets of everyday 
life such as in employment, housing, and even in the 
justice system. There is also compelling evidence that 
many, particularly transgender people, are at greater 
risk of being victimized by violence and experience 
significant health disparities and vulnerability to 
poverty. While the Census Bureau took an important 
step forward in 2013 by including the marital status of 
same-sex couples as part of ACS data on families, the 
fact remains that we know little else about the social 
and economic circumstances of the LGBT population 
at large.

 Expanded data collection on LGBT people is needed 
to help policymakers and community stakeholders 
understand the full extent of these disparities, as well 
as identifying the needs of these communities so they 
can be better served. It is also crucial to our ability to 
respond with effective and sensible policy solutions that 
address the unique needs of this vulnerable population. 
For these reasons, we believe that the Census Bureau 
should advance plans to expand LGBT data collection 
in future national surveys and urge you to assist us in 
reaching this goal.

 In your recent statement, you said that the Census 
Bureau’s goal is to conduct a “complete and accurate 
census.” If this is indeed the goal, then the availability 
of data on the size, location, and circumstances of 
the LGBT population should be taken into account. 
Therefore, the Bureau must acknowledge the 
concerns regarding the lack of reliable data on the 
LGBT population in the United States. We ask that 
you provide additional explanation as to why sexual 
orientation and gender identity were not included 
in the Subjects Planned for the 2020 Census and 
American Community Survey (ACS) report, including 
justification for stating there being no federal need for 
data on the LGBT population.

 The Census Bureau’s data collection efforts have 
always played a significant role in our ability to 
understand the communities that we represent and 
how best to serve them. LGBT Americans – like every 
American – deserve to be counted and recognized in 
all federally-supported surveys. We appreciate your 
attention to this important matter and look forward to 
your response.

THE 33RD ANNUAL JUSTICE FOR HOMICIDE VICTIMS 
MEMORIAL: STRENGTH, RESILIENCE, JUSTICE AND 
WHY WE MUST HEED MIKE GATTO’S WORDS

By Joan Schmidt

 A few years ago, after I attended the 1st Crime Victims 
Summit and learned about Justice for Homicide Victims, 
I went home and cried. Seeing photos of victims-from 
toddlers to seniors-brutally murdered and taken away 
from loved ones was unbearable. That memorable day 
I met three remarkable women: Marcella Leach, Jane 
Bouffard and LaWanda Hawkins. Marcella Leach and 
Ellen “Lenny” Dunne founded JHV after their daughters 
(Marsy Nicholas Leach and Dominique Dunne) were 
brutally murdered by former boyfriends. Jane Bouffard 
is current President of the JHV Foundation; her parents 
were the victims of a home invasion robbery. LaWanda 
Hawkins lost her beloved son Reginald Reese and 
founded Justice for Murdered Children.

 At Rose Hills Cemetery stands a beautiful white 
monument immortalizing victims; Dr. Henry Nicolas, 
Marsy’s brother, provided the funds for this. Each year, a 
beautiful Memorial is held there, the Sunday that begins 
Crimes Victims Week.

 The program was so beautiful, but heart-wrenching. 
Former Monrovia Mayor Mary Ann Lutz gave the 
Invocation and Guest Speakers included former 
Assemblyman Mike Gatto, LASD Chief Earl Shields of 
the Detective Bureau and three brave women who lost 
their children. The wonderful International Peace Choir 
performed Let There Be Peace, This Song is for Children, 
This Little Light, I’ll Make a Difference at various times 
during the Program, and We Are the Survivors as the 
balloons were released.

 Three-and-a half years ago, former Assemblyman 
Mike Gatto lost his loving gentle 78-year-old father who 
was murdered in a home invasion. His killer walked off 
with maybe a few hundred bucks and still has not been 
caught. “Dealing with death is a part of the human 
condition, but there is something about murder, and not 
being able to say good-bye…that hurts far worse than a 
serious illness.”

 Mike spoke of AB 169 and 30,000 felons being sent 
to over-crowded county jails, so many are paroled early. 
Mike wonders, “Why can’t politicians realize that in 
criminal justice, we have to strike a balanced path? In 
the past few years, we’ve seen Prop 47, Prop 57, a judicial 
attack on our state’s DNA testing laws and this year, a 
proposal to get rid of bail entirely. I want to stress that 
if these activists get their way, a person could steal a gun 
that is later used in a murder, get caught with date-rape 
drugs, rob someone, get arrested repeatedly for similar 
crimes and never have to submit to DNA testing nor have 
to pay any bail whatsoever and never spend a day in jail. 
Is this fair? Does this provide justice for families? “

 Three mothers-Colleen Campbell (son Scott), Lee 
Bertha Pickett-Allen (son Ernie) and Jennifer Lundy 
(daughter Brittany) spoke of the brutal parole hearings 
for their children’s murderers. One drove seven hours, 
only to find out it was cancelled. One spent so much time 
getting letters, testifying, but none was put in the final 
report. One spoke of sitting in a room with a killer who 
had no remorse.

 Jennifer, Lee Bertha and Colleen will NEVER give up. 
(Colleen has two crosses to bear. Her late brother Mickey 
Thompson and wife Trudy were murdered by Mickey’s 
disgruntled former partner. For years, he walked free and 
terrorized Colleen.) 

Jennifer lost her much-loved toddler Brittany. It has 
been over twenty years; she has remarried and has other 
children. But that hole in her heart from losing Brittany 
will never go away. Jennifer spoke of calls to Sacramento 
and gave a link to a website with parole hearing dates six 
months ago. All three mothers told us to fight for your 
rights and never give up. 

 The doves were released, people wrote messages on 
balloons to their loved ones and released the balloons. 
. It was truly a beautiful uplifting day. Please visit www.
justiceforhomicidevictims.com. 


CALIFORNIA STATE ASSEMBLY PASSES RESOLUTION 
COMMEMORATING LEGACY OF JACKIE ROBINSON

Sacramento, CA – Today, the California State 
Assembly passed a resolution recognizing the 
70th Anniversary of Jackie Robinson breaking 
the color barrier in a major professional sport. 
Robinson, a Pasadena native, made baseball 
history when he joined the Brooklyn Dodgers in 
April, 1947.

 “Jackie Robinson is a true hero who continues 
to influence our lives 70 years later by his 
actions and words both on and off the field,” 
said Assemblymember Chris Holden. “With 
this resolution the legislature recognizes the 
bravery he exhibited, and the sacrificial hardship 
he and his family endured, during a time in our 
country’s history of racial turmoil and inhuman 
discrimination.”

 Robinson was born January 31, 1919, in Cairo, 
Georgia and was raised in Pasadena, California. 
A stellar athlete, young Robinson excelled not 
only in baseball but was a lettered athlete in 
football, track and field. He also played on 
the varsity squad of each of these sports while 
attending UCLA.

 While as a commissioned second lieutenant 
in the United States Army during World War II, 
he refused to sit in the back of an unsegregated 
military that resulted in his denial of combat duty. 
Consequently, he was acquitted and received an 
honorable discharge and later assigned to Camp 
Breckinridge, Morganfield Kentucky where he 
worked as an Army athletics coach and was 
subsequently encouraged to try out for the Kansas 
City Monarchs, a Negro National League team.

Upon joining the Dodgers in 1947, Robinson 
led the Dodgers to win 6 pennants and the 
World Series in 1955. Robinson, after his historic 
career, became a vocal champion for civil rights 
and other social and political causes by joining 
the NAACP and helping establish the African-
American Freedom National Bank.

 “Jackie Robinson will continue to be an 
inspiration for generations to come,” said Holden. 


EASTER SUNDAY EVENTS

We invite you to journey with us during Holy Week 
and celebrate Easter Sunday with us. No matter where 
you have been or where you are now, all are welcome to 
Church of the Good Shepherd, United Methodist (400 
W. Duarte Rd. Arcadia, CA 91007).

 April 13, 2017: Holy Thursday Service with 
Communion at 7 p.m. in the Chapel

 April 14, 2017: Stations of the Cross Meditation Walk 
in the courtyard any time between noon and 5 p.m.

 Easter Sunday: Youth led sunrise service at 6 a.m. as 
well as traditional services at 8 a.m., 9:30 a.m. and 11 
a.m. There will be an egg hunt for children between the 
9:30 and 11 a.m. services in the courtyard.

 Visit www.cgsum.org for more information

Mountain Views News 80 W Sierra Madre Blvd. No. 327 Sierra Madre, Ca. 91024 Office: 626.355.2737 Fax: 626.609.3285 Email: editor@mtnviewsnews.com Website: www.mtnviewsnews.com