December 2019 Newsletter

Dear Neighbor,

I hope you are enjoying the holiday season with your families.

My staff and I have been busy distributing 450 turkeys and all the trimmings to constituents in the Thirty-Second District. It is thanks to generous donors that I was able to provide these families with holiday cheer. 

In this issue, you will read about the Veterans Roundtable I hosted; a new electric vehicle charging station located in the district; and a Pico Rivera restaurant’s toy drive to benefit local children.

As 2019 comes to a close, I thank all of you for your support. I will continue to do the hard work for the people living and working in the Thirty-Second District.

To all of you and your families, I wish you all of the season’s joy and happiness.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

God bless,

Senator Bob Archuleta
Thirty-Second Senate District

The Thirty-Second Senate District’s latest addition in the effort to reduce our carbon footprint is the new ultra-fast electric vehicle charging station at the Walmart Supercenter, 9001 Apollo Way, Downey.

Electrify America is investing $2 billion over 10 years in zero emission vehicle (ZEV) infrastructure, education, and access initiatives, officials said.

The district’s new electrical vehicle chargers are part of the company’s first $200 million California ZEV Investment Plan.

The charging stations are designed with customer experience in mind, Electrify America officials said, including the convenience of multiple payment options, such as a credit card.

The chargers have the capacity to refuel a vehicle at nine miles of range per minute.

In an effort to ensure that veterans living in the Thirty-Second District are well-informed about vital resources available to them and their families provided by the state of California, Senator Bob Archuleta (D-Pico Rivera), hosted the inaugural Veterans Roundtable.

Leaders and representatives from various organizations, including local American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars posts and veterans advocacy groups were invited by Senator Archuleta’s office to participate in the roundtable held at Pico Park, 9528 Beverly Blvd.

“You all have an obligation to be informed and share what you know, as I have an obligation to ensure you have the necessary information to make your lives, and the lives of your families better,” Senator Archuleta said.

“There are benefits and programs for you, but you have to step up and get them,” he said. “You’ve earned these benefits.”

The group of about 30 people learned how to access benefits available from the state through the California Department of Veterans Affairs (CalVet), and discussed issues facing veterans including housing, education, healthcare, and work force development, and others.

“I’ve done hundreds of these presentations, but I’ve never seen a group so passionate,” said Anthony Rodriguez, a former Marine and a CalVet local interagency network coordinator.

He presented alarming statistics, such as the fact that only 20 percent of California’s veterans are signed up for the benefits they have earned.

“This was an eye-opening experience,” Marine veteran Ruben Valencia said. “I’m thankful that the senator brought us together to hear this information so we can share it with others.”

Over 25 veterans and advocates for veterans joined Senator Archuleta at the very first Veterans Roundtable in District 32.
 

68th Annual Downey Christmas Parade

I kicked off the holiday season with the annual Downey Christmas Parade.  It was a pleasure and a great time to drive down Downey Avenue with all the energized and thrilled residents who came out to support the 68^th annual parade.
 

I joined L.A. County Supervisor Hilda Solis and Assemblywoman Cristina Garcia to celebrate Governor Newsom’s signing of AB 142, which will fund the efforts to clean lead-contaminated sites near our neighborhoods. Families have the right to breathe clean air, drink clean water, and live in environmentally safe neighborhoods.

At least 16 cities throughout the state of California have been exposed to man-made lead poisoning, similar to the contamination experienced in neighborhoods near Exide. Eight of these 16 cities are in the Los Angeles region. Many residents in these communities have suffered long-term health complications due to prolonged exposure to high levels of lead and other contaminants.

With the passage of AB 142, there will be an additional $74.5 million in the state budget for accelerated cleanup efforts in affected communities. Local residents gathered to celebrate this victory in environmental justice.

I spent the week of Thanksgiving distributing turkeys to our families of the Thirty-Second Senate District in need of assistance. I was able to give out over 450 turkeys and about 300 meals during that holiday week. 
Thank you to San Gabriel Water Company, California Dairies, Liberty Utilities, Suburban Water Systems, Reyes Coca Cola and Charter Communications for your generosity this holiday season.

I attended the Downey Christian Church turkey meal distribution with one of the sponsors, Suburban Water to hand out meals and turkeys to over 200 families.
 

In Montebello I was able to distribute turkeys to the American Legion Post 272 with a little help of one of our generous sponsors (L) Cody Boyles of California Dairies.
 

While in Montebello, we distributed turkeys at Albertson’s Supermarket and one of our non-profit groups was the Potrero Heights Park Community and Senior Center.
 

This is my first year in office and I want to make sure I do the right thing and help the families in my district who need help during the holidays. Partnering with various nonprofits in my district ensures that the families who need help with enjoying a Thanksgiving meal are provided with the proper ingredients.

The Lions Club of Montebello was another non-profit group who received turkeys from one of our partners, California Dairies, Reyes Coca Cola Distributing and Charter Communications.
 

Advocating for Vets out of Montebello were also on hand to receive turkeys for their organization to distribute to their families in need during the holidays.
 

As we continued to give to our nonprofit organizations, we met up with one of our partners, Suburban Water Systems. Operation Gobble was at full force as another of our non-profits, Organization for the Physically Impaired came to one of our distribution stops to collect turkeys for their families.
 

Bridges for Heroes out of Pico Rivera and Whittier came out to pick up turkeys for their organization. Their moto of ‘Building Bridges While Changing Lives’ comforts the senator to speak highly of this group and their work in the community.
 

The GI Forum of Whittier was one of the many groups who showed up to collect turkeys during the holiday season. The senator is determined to partner up again next year with non-profit organizations in the district and donors and sponsors to make sure those in need of assistance receive a little extra help during the holidays.
 

And finally, at the Heart of Compassion in Montebello where over 500 turkeys and meals were distributed to families in need of assistance and the homeless. Alongside with Phil Pace of Montebello serving lunch and dinner to the many families who attended.
 

For nearly a decade, Zapien’s Salsa Grill & Taqueria, one of the fine restaurants in the Thirty-Second Senate District, has conducted a toy drive benefitting local families. Through Dec. 18, children eat free and adults receive 50 percent off their meal with a new, unwrapped toy.

“The Salsa Grill community responds strong every year to our toy drive, and we expect this year to be no different,” Co-owner and Head Chef Marco Zapien said. “We are proud to help ensure that as many toddlers, children and teens as possible have a gift this holiday season. We invite everyone to join us in making a difference and are happy to provide incentive to collect as many toys as possible this Christmas season.”

This year’s recipients of the toys will be Alma Family Services and Casa Santa Fe.

A graduate of the Los Angeles Culinary Institute, Zapien, who grew up in Pico Rivera, has been head chef at Dodger Stadium, Angels Stadium, Staples Center and other sports and entertainment venues. As a corporate chef for Melissa’s Produce, he cooked at the 2018 Major League Baseball All-Star Game at Nationals Park.

Salsa Grill, 6702 Rosemead Blvd., Pico Rivera, is open Tuesday through Sunday.

Zapien’s Restaurants Head Chef Marco Zapien is constantly active in the community by demonstrating his many techniques as a chef. He has monthly gatherings at his restaurant cooking specialty dishes and preparing salsas in front of his many clients.
 

I greatly enjoyed speaking with the San Gabriel Valley Public Affairs Network audience last month.

I gave a recap of our legislative and district accomplishments along with a preview of what I’ll be focusing on in the upcoming legislative session.

Thank you to the San Gabriel Valley Regional Chamber of Commerce as well as the San Gabriel Valley Public Affairs Network for hosting.

I also spent time last month in Downey, speaking with members of the Los Angeles Business Federation (BizFed) at their Leadership Round Table.

We also discussed legislation, economic development, and businesses and Sacramento working together for the benefit of the 32nd Senate District and the State of California.

Thanks to Southern California Gas Company for hosting.
 

Thank you City of Downey for inviting me to your 32nd Annual Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast. Here I am with Councilmember Alex Saab, Mayor Rick Rodriguez, Mayor Pro Tem Blanca Pacheco, and Councilmember Claudia Frometa.

It was a privilege to tour Reyes Coca-Cola distribution center In Downey-the largest manufacturing company west of the Mississippi. Over 900 union jobs in this facility, all with a responsible and sustainable mindset of reducing their daily carbon footprint.

I joined my colleagues Sen. Ling Ling Chang and Assemblyman Tyler Diep at an Advocacy Forum hosted by Fourth District PTA of Orange County, one of the largest in the country. We discussed the daily challenges facing the district, possible solutions, changes in legislation, and parental involvement.

As a parent, I understand the concerns parents encounter in ensuring their children are properly educated, with access to the latest technology, in the safest environment.
 

Once again, I wish you and your families a very Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year.

Please contact our office by calling 562-406-1001, or stop by the District Office, located at 12501 Imperial Highway, Suite 110, Norwalk.