Mountain Views News, Sierra Madre Edition [Pasadena] Saturday, September 2, 2017

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 2017

SECTION B

AROUND SAN GABRIEL VALLEY

LATE ROCK N’ ROLL LEGEND RITCHIE VALENS 
GETS HIGHWAY DESIGNATION

COFFEE AND CONVERSATION WITH 
ASSEMBLYWOMAN RUBIO


(SACRAMENTO) – Today, California approved 
Assemblymember Raul Bocanegra’s (D-Pacoima) 
ACR 23, officially naming a portion of Interstate 5 
between State Route 170 and State Route 118 in the 
northeast San Fernando Valley after rock and roll icon 
Ritchie Valens. The “La Bamba” singer was raised in 
the northeast San Fernando Valley community of 
Pacoima before appearing on the Billboard Hot 100 
Chart.

 “Ritchie Valens is a part of the cultural fabric of the 
39th District and the northeast San Fernando Valley,” 
said Assemblymember Bocanegra. “His music 
inspired and influenced a generation of Chicano 
artists in our community and throughout the world. 
It’s only fitting to name this segment of the I-5 after a 
Rock n’ Roll Hall of Famer who grew up right here in 
Pacoima.”

 “The Ritchie Valens family would like to express 
their gratitude for the legislation to be submitted by 
Assemblymember Raul Bocanegra on behalf of our 
brother Ritchie Valens in the renaming of a section of 
the I-5 freeway,” said Connie Valens, sister of Ritchie 
Valens. “Ritchie became a Rock N’ Roll icon at the 
age 17; he’s not only a Rock N’ Roll pioneer, but a role 
model for artists and youth all over the world.”

 Ritchie Valens attended Pacoima Junior High 
School and became popular for bringing his guitar to 
school to sing songs for his friends. He then went on 
to play at dances, gatherings, and parties throughout 
the northeast end of the San Fernando Valley with 
an up-and-coming group, “The Silhouettes.” People 
began to take notice of his vocal and guitar skills, 
which drew large crowds, and he was dubbed as 
“Little Richard of the Valley.”

 “Ritchie Valens represented the San Fernando 
Valley with honor and respect, at performances 
across the nation he would proudly announce he 
was from the valley,” said Gil Rocha, who performed 
with Valens in The Silhouettes. “Ritchie loved 
his community, and had big plans to help young 
neighborhood kids.”

 After Ritchie was discovered in 1958 at an American 
Legion Hall in Pacoima, he recorded Come On, Let’s 
Go and became an instant sensation, leading to an 
appearance on American Bandstand. He achieved 
even greater success with his second single, a dual-
sided record featuring the songs “La Bamba,” and 
“Donna.” The record sold over a million copies. 

 “Ritchie’s promising career ended prematurely 
after a tragic plane accident, but his memory lives on 
through his music and the cultural influences he had 
on society,” said Assemblymember Bocanegra.

 Over the coming months, the local CalTrans office 
will prepare both the sign design and an estimate of 
the production and installation costs, both of which 
will be paid from non-state resources. Bocanegra’s 
office is working with family members and with non-
profits in the area to organize a dedication event that 
will be open to the community.

 Raul Bocanegra is the Democratic Majority Whip 
in the California State Assembly. He represents 
the 39th Assembly District, which includes the Los 
Angeles communities of Arleta, Granada Hills, 
Lakeview Terrace, Mission Hills, North Hollywood, 
Pacoima, Shadow Hills, Sun Valley, Sunland-Tujunga, 
Sylmar and the City of San Fernando.

By Joan Schmidt

 This past Saturday, Assemblywoman Blanca Rubio sure 
“wowed them” at the Duarte Library. Mayor Pro Tem Fasana 
said, “I am a Republican and I like you”; Council Member 
Paras- Caraci commented,”I liked you before, but I am in 
love with you now.” Rubio’s positive energy blew me and all 
attendees away!

 In an hour-and –a-half, we learned about this remarkable 
woman, how the Assembly operates and background info 
about various bills.

 The day Elvis died, forty years ago marks the Rubio 
Family’s arrival in California. Undocumented, her parents 
quickly obtained work visas and eventually the family 
became citizens.

 Rubio attended Beaumont High School; her counselor 
told her to take home economics- Mexican, she’d probably 
just get pregnant after graduation. No, she proved him 
wrong, earning an Associate’s Degree from East LA College 
and Bachelor’s in Business from Azusa Pacific. Rubio worked 
in human resources in the Baldwin Park School District for 
several years and helped teachers get credentialed. A teacher’s 
shortage brought encouragement for her to enter that field; 
Rubio obtained her Credential and a Master’s in Education 
from APU.

 During her tenure in human resources, Rubio was on the 
San Gabriel Valley Water Board. She also was a champion 
of keeping class sizes at a 20 to 1 ratio. As a teacher, she 
continued to speak in favor of a 20-1 ratio. Since Rubio 
wouldn’t back down, she was encouraged to run for Baldwin 
Park School Board which she won. A conflict of interest, 
(One cannot teach and serve on a School Board in the same 
district) brought her transfer to Fontana School District. 
Rubio taught for thirteen years (Fontana) and was on the B.P. 
School Board for thirteen years.

 The Assemblywoman describes herself as “Moderate” and 
“Progressive”. Not a politician, she fights for what she believes 
in and won’t back down no matter what pressure there is.

 Rubio received a lot of flack because she voted “NO” on 
AB 42 (Eliminating bail.) The consensus is bail is unfair 
because lower-income people cannot afford it. Rubio was 
accused of not caring about poor people. She voted “no” 
because “there were too many blank spaces in the bill”.

 SB 10 also dealt with the bail issue; Rubio would not 
sign it. CA Chief Justice Tani Cantil-Sakauye also expressed 
concern and established a panel to study it. Governor Drown 
advised a vote not be taken till the judge’s report on the bail 
system comes out in December. 

 Rubio also discussed the GAS Hike. She FINALLY 
supported the bill AFTER it was guaranteed funding would 
come to the San Gabriel Valley and work begun immediately 
on the 605 Freeway.

 Rubio explained her schedule-she is in Sacramento 4 
days; but here Fridays-Sundays.(After being here 30 years, 
that’s nice to finally find out!)

 Her schedule In Sacramento enables her to be at her office 
by 9 A.M. Mondays. She and her staff are able to review 
all upcoming legislation prior to the 1pm session. Most 
Assembly Members arrive at 1 pm! 

 Residents of the 48th District, be grateful- we have 
someone in Sacramento who is above politics, working for 
her constituents.!

REP. SCHIFF INTRODUCES AMENDMENT TO 
PROHIBIT EXPENDITURE OF SECRET SERVICE 
FUNDS TO BUSINESSES OWNED BY FIRST FAMILY

REP. SCHIFF INTRODUCES AMENDMENT 

TO PROTECT DREAMERS

Washington, DC – Today, Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA) 
announced he will be introducing an amendment to the 
Department of the Interior, Environment, and Related 
Agencies Appropriations Act that would prohibit any 
funds to be used for the deportation of individuals 
granted deferred action under the Deferred Action for 
Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, the “DREAMers.” 
Since the creation of DACA, more than 750,000 young 
undocumented immigrants have been granted work 
permits and deportation relief. Approximately one quarter 
of all DACA recipients live in California. 

 “For many DREAMers, America is the only home 
they’ve ever known, and deporting these young people 
would be cruel and wrong,” Rep. Schiff said. “Hundreds of 
thousands of young people enrolled in the DACA program 
because they believed in the promise of America and were 
assured protection from deportation. This amendment will 
ensure that we keep our promise to these young people.”

 The Department of the Interior, Environment, and 
Related Agencies Appropriation Act allocates funding for 
government programs for Fiscal Year 2018. The bill will be 
considered by Congress in September. 

Washington, DC – Today, Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA) 
announced he will be introducing an amendment to 
the Department of the Interior, Environment, and 
Related Agencies Appropriations Act that would 
prohibit the payment of Secret Service funds to entities 
owned or operated by the President or his immediate 
family. According to USA Today, the President and 
his family’s frequent visits to locations owned by the 
Trump Organization have put an unprecedented strain 
on the Secret Service’s budget and manpower. Based 
on General Accountability Office (GAO) estimates 
of comparable travel from previous administrations, 
each visit to a Trump Organization location by the 
President and his family costs an estimated $3 million. 
Much of this money is paid to the Trump Organization 
itself, including a substantial amount for the rental of 
golf carts – at an estimated cost of $60,000 to taxpayers 
– and other expenses necessary for security. 

 “The immense honor and responsibility of serving 
as President of the United States should never be 
exploited for profit or personal gain,” said Rep. 
Schiff. “That the Trump Organization is profiting off 
the Secret Service is an abuse of taxpayer money and 
an improper method of enrichment.”

 The Department of the Interior, Environment, and 
Related Agencies Appropriation Act allocates funding 
for government programs for Fiscal Year 2018. The bill 
will be considered by Congress in September. 


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