June 2009 HHHDC Newsletter

Volume 10 Issue 6 June 2009

News ‘n’ ViewsOF, BY AND FOR MEMBERS OF THE HUBERT H. HUMPHREY DEMOCRATIC CLUB

HHHDC June 2009 MeetingMonday, June 15, 2009

Cerritos Public Library18025 Bloomfield Ave, Cerritos (south of the 91 Freeway)

Refreshments served - Meeting begins at 7:00 pm

Program: Film – “The American Southwest: Are We Running Dry?”Speaker: Lillian Kawasaki of the Metropolitan Water District

INSIDE THIS ISSUE:

Announcements ...................Page 1

Miscellaneous …………….…….....Page 2

Member Spotlight ..……..………Page 3

A Time For Decisions ………….…Page 4

Judy Chu; Cartoons ……….… ...Page 5

Water and Fireworks .….…..…Page 6

Health Care Reform ..…...…….Page 7

Advertisements …………….……..Page 8

Membership Form ..…….…….Page 10

AnnouncementsNewsletter submissions are due 10 days before the next scheduled club meeting. Please email them to [email protected].

The Hubert H. Humphrey Democratic Club now has its calendar of events available online:

1. Go to: http://hhhdemocrats.org/2. At the top of the page click “Community Calendar”3. Once you are on the calendar page, go to the date of the event.4. Click the event and you will get a pop-up window with all the

details, such as date, time, location and description.

If you are interested in serving on the HHHDC Eboard then be sure to attend the next meeting and submit your name for consideration.

The eboard is looking for guest speakers for future meetings. Please send your suggestions to the President.

CARA will hold their annual conference October 20th and 21st at the Hacienda Hotel in El Segundo. The registration cost is $100 per person.

Our HHHDC Newsletter is available on your computer!Please send your email address to Mike Stabile at:

[email protected] also are prepared to accept advertisementsfor publication according to the following rates:

Monthly Rate1/8 page $6.001/4 page $9.00

1/2 page $12.00 Full page $15.00

Six Month Rate Yearly Rate1/8 page $30.00 $50.001/4 page $45.00 $75.001/2 page $60 .00 $100.00Full page $75.00 $150.00

2008 HHHDC OFFICERS AND COMMITTEE CHAIRS

2008 Executive Board

President Nikki Noushkam 562-712-4072

Vice-President Gary Chomiak

Treasurer Chris Duvali

Rec. Secretary Maureen Allen 562-746-7569

Committees

Legislative Anal. Maureen Allen 562-746-7569

Newsletter Editor Mike Stabile 562-505-5807

Membership Beverly Porter

Historian Charlie Ara 562-865-4075

Parliamentarian Marisela Cervantes 213-445-1152

Got an Ad? We’ve got the space!Check out details on Page 8.

And check out our new, reduced ad rates!New advertisers are needed for the newsletter. If you are interested, or know of a person or business who would like to advertise in our publication, please contact President Nikki Noushkam, for details and instructions. As a no-cost bonus, all ads will also appear on the club’s new website.

“It was once said that the moral test of Government is how that Government treats those who are in the dawn of life, the children; those who are in the twilight of life, the elderly; and those who are in

the shadows of life, the sick, the needy and the handicapped.”

Hubert H. Humphrey

June 2009 News ‘n’ Views

More AnnouncementsDemocratic Party of Orange County invites you to join them as they showcase author, syndicated columnist and Huffington Post founder, Arianna Huffington on Thursday, August 6th at 6:30 pm. Location: Sheraton Park Hotel, 1855

S. Harbor Blvd., Anaheim, CA 92802.

For information: email: [email protected] * phone: (714) 835-5158 * web: http://www.ocdemocrats.org/

Protocol for Meetings1. Turn your cell phone off or place it on “vibrate”.2. During meeting please do not engage in side conversations.3. If ordering food, please do so before start of meeting.4. If you wish to speak, please raise your hand for recognition by the chair. Do not interrupt speakers.5. Please keep your remarks short and concise.6. Photographs should be taken only without interrupting the meeting.


HHHDC Member Spotlight: BEVERLY PORTERI grew up in a home where my parents were very much involved in politics. They were aggressive in fighting for equality, having experienced segregation and inequality in their earlier years in Mississippi. As a mere slip of a girl, I remember my dad going to many meetings, walking picket lines and working the polls along with my mother, who touted herself as the best poll closer there was! As a young man, my father spent time barnstorming in an effort to raise money for the defense of the “Scottsboro Boys.” My aunt Lucinda received the “Volunteer of the Year” award from the County of Los Angeles out of 25,000 considered. Her home had been used as a polling place for 20 + years. Unfortunately, the last year that the polling was held at her home, her husband died in his sleep the night before the election. My aunt allowed the election to take place in spite of her loss.

I spent my early years fighting my own personal battles, whether in school or in the workplace. If things weren’t right, I was the one who organized, offered advice or put my voice to making the change that was needed for the benefit of all.

Through the years I made monetary donations in lieu of donating my time; I didn’t feel good about that. While raising three active children with my husband and having a career, there really wasn’t any time left to give. Now that I’m retired, I devote my time to a national service organization, Top Ladies of Distinction Inc., where we mentor teens, focus on senior citizens, the status of women, etc. Of course I’ve enjoyed being a member of the Hubert Humphrey Democratic Club for the past 5 years. I believe that I can contribute in some small way to making the changes necessary for the betterment of all.

What gives me JOY:

* The “ABCs” of my life, my children, Angela, Brian and Christopher (oops, they didn’t arrive in that order!)* My husband, William (in more ways than one)* My eclectic taste in music, from B.B. King to Béla Bartók * Guitar lessons from “the master” Pete Foxx (yes, I can get down ’n’ dirty with the blues, “Honky Tonk”)* My photography, capturing the beauty of a mere moment in time* My 92-years-young mother, Mamie Hutchinson, who had her drivers license renewed last year* My 92-years-young mother (again), who, when someone mispronounces her name as “mammy” politely

responds, “Have you ever heard of Mamie Eisenhower? She was the First Lady you know?”* Singing in the African Methodist Episcopal Conference Choir as a soprano* Being master of ceremony to approximately 300 people and leading them in song

Mere Slip of a Girl


A TIME FOR DECISIONS

By Assemblymember Tony Mendoza

The recent convening of a joint-session of the legislature is a barometer of the urgency and need for all members of both party’s to equally participate in the budget process.

We have before us a mounting deficit that threatens to shut down the state and alter the landscape of services available to our children, the elderly and the terminally ill. Decisions will be tough and the results of those choices will have a tremendous impact on the daily lives of all Californians.

California has an opportunity to do away-with old standards and rules that no longer serve the needs of the state. By implementing true reforms, our state has a chance to streamline its operation and offer quality service at a reduced cost.

The opportunity to move California away from the crippling two-thirds voting requirement to pass a budget is now within reach. This outdated method has allowed stalemates and unnecessary political maneuvering to take place, costing the legislature credibility and our state millions of dollars.

Of all the decisions that will take place in Sacramento in the next few weeks, none will be as simple as to demand a change in the voting requirement to enable California to have a budget that is agreed upon by a majority of representatives and delivered on time.

Judy Chu Is the Top Vote getter in a Special Election for the 32nd Congressional District; Now Faces a July 14 Runoff Election

On May 19, 2009, State Board of Equalization Vice Chairperson Judy Chu, PhD. won the most votes for the open 32nd Congressional District seat to replace Hilda Solis who was appointed by President Barack Obama to be Secretary of Labor. Because she fell short of an outright majority (50% +1 of the vote), she will have to face the top Republican vote getter, Betty Tom Chu, and the top Libertarian vote getter, Christopher Agrella,

in a July 14 runoff.

Judy Chu, a former member of the Garvey School District, Monterey Park City Council and the State Assembly, campaigned on her experience and deep roots in the district and worked hard to build coalitions across ethnic lines. She is expected to easily win the July runoff in the strongly Democratic district.

(Stolen from: From the Desk of Joseph Cho)


The next HHHDC monthly meeting is scheduled for June 15th at the Cerritos Public Library, 18025 Bloomfield Ave, Cerritos. We will be showing a feature film, THE AMERICAN SOUTHWEST: ARE WE RUNNING DRY? This film is a project inspired by former U.S. Senator Paul Simon’s book, “Tapped Out: The Coming World Crisis in Water and What We Can Do About It”, produced/directed by Jim Thebaut. The program starts at 7:00 p.m. and will include refreshments and snacks.

After the film we will be honored with a question and answer session led by West Basin Metropolitan Water District Board member Lillian Kawasaki. This promises to be an interesting and dynamic event for HHHDC members and their guests. Donations will be accepted to cover event costs and support HHHDC.


The Hubert H. Humphrey Democratic Club will once again represent its members at the 36th Annual 4th of July “Let Freedom Ring Celebration“ at Cerritos Civic Center, 18125 Bloomfield Ave. We will have a booth from 4-9 p.m. and

will be selling pizza and beverages. The event includes food and game booths sponsored by local community organizations, rides, entertainment, children’s activity area, a classic car display and a bell-ringing ceremony. The evening will culminate with a spectacular fireworks show across the street at Cerritos High School. Please be sure to stop by our booth, grab some pizza and drink, and support our club.


Why We Need Health Care Reform – by Congresswoman Linda Sánchez

June 9, 2009

Dear Neighbor:

Last month I spoke with the Secretary of Health, Kathleen Sebelius, during a Ways & Means Committee hearing about the need for health care reform. We both agreed that America can't afford to wait for health care reform – we urgently need to fix it. Rising health care costs are crushing the budgets of families and American businesses, making us less competitive in a global economy, putting Medicare in jeopardy, and hurting our nation's fiscal bottom line. In addition, far too many Americans continue to go without basic health care at all, leading to more sick days, lower productivity, and greater costs when they finally show up in the emergency room to treat a condition which could have been nipped in the bud with proper preventive care.

What does this mean for you? I can assure you that I will work with President Obama and Secretary Sebelius to reform our health care system to reduce costs, preserve your choice of doctors and plans, and assure affordable, quality health care for all Americans.

I also want to let you know that as a member of the Ways & Means Committee, I have introduced bi-partisan legislation that would prohibit health insurance companies from engaging in "gender rating," a practice which charges women more for health insurance premiums than men. As a woman and having been in the hospital recently for the birth of my son, I understand how expensive health care can be. Click here http://enewsletters.econgressional.com/t/y/l/hkyulh/jtitqidi/d to read my "Top 5 Reasons Health Insurance Isn't Fair to Women."

Health Care Reform Basics:

* COST, CHOICE, QUALITY* YOU GOT IT, YOU LIKE IT, YOU KEEP IT: If you are happy with the insurance you have now, you can keep it.* NO's NOT THE ANSWER: The Just Say No crowd working to defeat health care reform are essentially placing an $1,100 a year tax on American families in terms of extra premiums to pay for a broken system—and costing American taxpayers an extra $50 billion in debt.* REFORMS: Health care reforms will:* Offer a real choice of plans to small businesses and American who lose their jobs or switch jobs.* Provide tax credits to small businesses and individuals to make coverage affordable.* End the practice of insurance companies denying coverage, where the big insurance companies place profits before people, and millions of people go without vital health care.* Make investments in prevention, wellness, and patient-centered care.* Give doctors and nurses the science-based information they need to provide the best, individualized treatments for their patients.* Crack down on the waste, fraud, and abuse in the health care system and prevent insurers from passing on excessive administrative costs.* BOTTOM LINE: Reforming health care to contain rising costs is the most effective action we can take to return our nation's budget to balance and make our products and workers the world’s most competitive.

Please do not hesitate to contact me if I can help in any way, and rest assured I will keep working to make sure the federal government is fiscally responsible, accountable, and responsive to my constituents.Thank you for the opportunity to represent you in Congress.

Sincerely,Linda T. Sánchez, Member of Congress

Contact Information: Washington, DC Office - 1222 Longworth Building, Washington, DC 20515 Tel: (202) 225-6676 Fax: (202) 226-1012; Local office - 17906 Crusader Ave. Suite 100, Cerritos, CA 90703 Tel: (562) 860-5050 Fax: (562) 924-2914

Joseph Cho, Ph.D.

Tel: (562) 547-4434

P.O. Box 4115Cerritos, CA 90703

[email protected]

The Lucy and Joseph Cho Foundation


11306 E. 183rd Street, Cerritos, California 90703

Phone: (562) 926-4882 Website: www.diananeedham.com

Diana Needham, RealtorExperience, Knowledge,Integrity & Dedication30 years of experience

(17 years as a Realtor & over 13 years inthe real estate-related field of Urban Planning)

Former three-term Cerritos Mayorand 12-year City Council Member.

Proud to be a Life MemberOf the Hubert Humphrey Democratic Club

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HHHDC V.P. Gary Chomiak

HHHDC V.P. Gary Chomiak

Marisela Cervantes (L) & HHHDC Pres. Nikki Noushkam (R)Mike & Denise Stabile (L & C) & Alon Barlevy (R)

Jerry Brown

Gavin Newsom

PLEASE JOIN US!Please fill out the information below and return it with your annual dues to:

HHHDC Membership * 11245 183rd Street #136 * Cerritos, CA 90703Make your check payable to: Hubert H. Humphrey Democratic Club (or HHHDC).

YEAR 2009 MEMBERSHIP REGISTRATION*NAME___________________________________________ *SPOUSE (if also joining)__________________________________

*ADDRESS_______________________________________________ *CITY____________________________ZIP_____________

E-MAIL_________________________________________ PHONE____________________ ALT. PHONE_____________________

*OCCUPATION__________________________________ *EMPLOYER___________________________ _________

*SPOUSE: OCCUPATION________________________________ *EMPLOYER_______________ ________________

(*Required by Federal Elections Commission) *TODAY’S DATE____________________________________

I agree to allow the release of my name, address, e-mail and phone numbers indicated above to other club members.

Annual Dues (not tax deductible), please check one:

Single $20.00 Member and spouse $30.00 Students $10.00 Senior (65 or older) $10.00

Lifetime Dues (not tax deductible), please check one:

Lifetime Single $150.00 Lifetime Couple $250.00

June 2009 HHHDC Newsletter

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