Political Quotes

“Mr. Speaker, just over 30 years ago, I made the decision to run for the Long Beach City Council because I felt that my councilmember really didn't listen to the constituents and to my neighbors and myself. This journey of public service has taken me from the Long Beach City Hall to the California State Capitol and now to our Nation's Capitol for the last 10 years. When I began this journey, I did so with a commitment to listen to my community and to use all of my abilities to help make my constituents' lives better. Over the years, with the help of my family, my colleagues, especially with the help of my staff, and, yes, my constituents themselves, I hope and believe that I have met that commitment. For this help, I will always be grateful. Their help has led me to be a champion for the environment, to promote conservation of our wildlife and natural spaces, to clean up our ports and maritime industry, to address the growing plastic pollution and climate crisis, and to promote clean energy. For my constituents, I have remained a dedicated advocate for human rights, introducing the International Human Rights Defense Act, securing the release of numerous prisoners of conscience and also Americans who have been detained unjustly abroad, and serving as a critical voice for the Vietnamese and Cambodian communities across our Nation, all while working to hold corrupt and autocratic elites abroad accountable for their actions.…”