To volunteer or RSVP, please contact Kelly Martinez at (714) 839-4431 or via email at kmartinez@loretta.org

Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez To Kick-Off 2010 Re-election Campaign

WHAT:
Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez is set to kick off her 2010 re-election campaign to continue serving the constituents of the 47th Congressional District.  

"Serving the people of California's 47th district in Congress is a great honor and a privilege, and I am so grateful that my constituents have elected me to represent their values and priorities for the past fourteen years.

“I approach each and every decision I make by putting the families of my district first.  Our country may be on the road to recovery, but there is much more work that needs to be done to jumpstart our economy.  And with my seniority in Congress, I am well positioned to continue our critical efforts to put people back to work, improve education, and reform our health care system.

“I truly believe that I have the best job in the world, which is why I  am proudly running again to continue to represent the great people of California's 47th Congressional District."

Sanchez, volunteers, and supporters will be door knocking in the Garden Grove area.

WHO:
Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez (D-Santa Ana)
Elected Officials (TBA)
Volunteers

WHEN: 
Sunday, February 28, 2010
1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. 

WHERE:
Woodbury Park
13800 Rosita Pl
Garden Grove, CA 92843

Sanchez named Chair of Armed Services Subcommittee

January 22, 2010

The upcoming resignation of Rep. Neil Abercrombie, D-Hawaii, has brought some changes in subcommittee chairmanships at the House Armed Services Committee.
Rep. Adam Smith, D-Wash., was elected Thursday to replace Abercrombie as chairman of the Air and Land Forces Subcommittee, while Rep. Loretta Sanchez, D-Calif., will take over the Terrorism, Unconventional Threats and Capabilities Subcommittee for Smith, Armed Services Chairman Ike Skelton announced.

Abercrombie has said he will leave Congress Feb. 28 to focus on his campaign for governor of Hawaii.

By Megan Brescini
Feb 12, 2010

The Disney hotel workers' fast and protest, organized by the UniteHere Local 11 union, brought out the big guns Thursday night. Anaheim Councilwoman Lorri Galloway spoke, again pledging her support to their cause. Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez also put in an appearance, not missing the opportunity to connect with her voter base. A crowd of more than 100 picketers and protesters stood behind the fasters--who were sitting in a row in front of the podium, red ribbons around their right arms to signify their efforts.

Standing back from the scene was a small group of Disney security guards and press people who've been watching since Tuesday with their earpieces and walkie-talkies. Nestor Valle, security area manager for Disney, has been there every night, smiling his wan smile and insisting he only wants to keep things safe.

The crowd chanted, "¡Sí se puede!" before the speeches began, the sound amplified across the parking lot by the two towering speakers.

By Carla Marinucci
Feb 9, 2010

Federal and state lawmakers called Monday for a closer examination of Mercury Insurance Group in the wake of a state report that suggests the firm may have engaged in illegal practices, including deceptive pricing and discrimination against military personnel and people in other occupations.

The document from the office of State Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner, reported on by The Chronicle Monday after the newspaper obtained it through the state Public Records Act, said the company may have repeatedly violated Proposition 103, the landmark consumer protection law passed by voters in 1988.

According to the state report, Mercury did not immediately grant coverage to applicants including artists, emergency vehicle operators and military personnel.
"I am concerned that some California insurers may have discriminated against soldiers and veterans by charging them higher premiums," U.S. Rep. Loretta Sanchez, D-Garden Grove (Orange County), a member of the House Armed Services Committee, said Monday.

"We should be celebrating the service of our men and women in uniform, not penalizing it."

Sanchez vowed to "ensure that the appropriate state and federal authorities take action to guarantee that our soldiers and veterans are protected against this type of abuse."

At the same time, two Democratic Assemblymen who are running for insurance commissioner said they intend to closely examine the state's findings and determine what needs to be done.

January 29, 2010

HANOI (Reuters) - Vietnam on Friday sentenced yet another democracy activist to jail in what political analysts say is an intensifying crackdown on dissent.

A court in the northern port city of Haiphong convicted writer Pham Thanh Nghien of "conducting propaganda against the state" and sentenced her to four years in prison, followed by three years of house arrest, the state-run Vietnam News Agency reported on one of its websites, Vietnamplus.vn.

Nghien, born in 1977, was one of six Vietnamese writers given the Hellman/Hammett award by the U.S.-based group Human Rights Watch this year for their commitment to free expression in the face of political persecution.

Her jailing comes little more than a week after a court in Ho Chi Minh City sentenced four people to prison terms ranging from five to 16 years for pro-democracy activities labelled subversive. In October, nine other activists were imprisoned.
On Thursday, U.S. Senator Barbara Boxer and two members of the U.S. Congress, Loretta Sanchez and Zoe Lofgren, sent an appeal to Vietnamese President Nguyen Minh Triet to release Nghien and another detained activist who they said was due to go on trial in early February.

Nghien was accused of writing articles that distorted the truth about state policies, libeling the ruling Communist Party and the government, "inciting the masses against the government", and demanding pluralism, the news agency reported.
It said Nghien recognised that she had violated the law.

January 28, 2010
By Dena Bunis

Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood said California got the largest grant – more than $2.3 billion – for a high speed rail system because the state has been ahead of the curve on this technology.

People in California, he said, “have been working on and dreaming about high speed rail for more than a decade and they were willing to put some of their own tax dollars up to fund it.’’

LaHood and California’s two senators – Barbara Boxer and Dianne Feinstein – held a news conference in Washington to trump the $8 billion President Barack Obama said at the State of the Union would be pumped into high speed and other rail projects.
In addition to the $2.25 million for the high speed rail corridors, California will get another $100 million for other rail projects up and down the state.

The taxpayer investment LaHood was referring to was the $10 billion bond issue taxpayers passed that will enable California to match the federal dollars.

Once this system is finished people will be able to get from Anaheim to Los Angeles in 20 minutes. It will take two hours and 17 minutes to get from L.A. to Sacramento.
The project is expected to be finished in 2020. But Boxer said ground will be broken in 2011.

“There will be thousands of jobs created over the period of time and it will begin this year,’’ LaHood said.

By Dena Bunnis
December 22, 2009

Rep. Loretta Sanchez gave out $39,000 to 31 Orange County organizations today, money she saved from sending E-holiday cards this year instead of her traditional Christmas Card.

Sanchez solicited applications from local non-profit groups and and set up an independent committee to pick from those who applied.

One group - the Foster Care Auxiliary of Orange County will receive $6,000. Three- Colette’s Children’s Home, Vietnamese Community of Orange County Inc. and the Orange County Asian and Pacific Islander Community Alliance  will each get $2,000.

“In this time of economic hardship and need, every bit counts,” said Sanchez. “My hope is that these donations will make a difference to Orange County families through the assistance that our local non-profit organizations provide,” said Sanchez.

She is making the announcement this morning at MOMS Orange County in Santa Ana.

The Foster Care Auxiliary helps support foster children in the county and also works with foster families who want to provide permanent homes for these children.’

Colette’s home provides homeless single women and homeless mothers with children have a save place to stay while they get on their feet.

OCAPICA works enhance the health, social and economic well being of the community. The Vietnamese organization has a similar mission.

By Emily Heil and Elizabeth Brotherton
December 1, 2009

The holidays have officially arrived on Capitol Hill: Not only is the Capitol Christmas Tree being decorated on the West Front, Rep. Loretta Sanchez revealed her annual holiday card today — and it has a “Dancing with the Stars” theme.

Sanchez’s infamous greeting card traditionally features the California Democrat and her beloved pet, Gretzky the Cat, posing in a lighthearted, holiday-themed setting.

This year’s installment doesn’t disappoint, depicting the Congresswoman ballroom dancing in a sparkly silver dress, a la the star-studded reality competition. Gretzky sits at the judge’s table, giving Sanchez a score of “10” and saying, “Tom DeLay, eat your heart out!”

“Whether it’s with the stars or under festive lights, may your heart dance with joy this holiday season,” the card reads.

Rather than printing her card this year, Sanchez is going green, sending recipients the card electronically. The money normally spent on printing and mailing the cards will be given to nonprofits in Orange County, Calif., through a “competitive application process,” Sanchez writes in an e-mail to campaign supporters.
Meanwhile, workers are diligently trimming the Capitol Christmas Tree for its official lighting on Dec. 8.

Rather than print thousands of cards this year, Loretta donated $39,000 to 31 Orange County organizations. Click here for a full list.

Click here to view Loretta's famous holiday card.

Missed getting the card in your in-box? Be sure to sign up for our email list here!