April 2023 Newsletter

Mary Su (Walnut) is the 2023 Woman of the Year of Senate District 30.

Senator Archuleta accompanied Mary at the California Woman Making Herstory Ceremony, hosted by the California Legislative Women’s Caucus in the State Capitol.

She is the founder of many non-profit organizations, including the Chinese American Parents’ Association of Walnut Valley Unified School District.

Mary is also the president of the Chinese Music Association of Southern California, which is comprised of many talented and professional musicians, and whose mission is to provide entertainment to the community through Chinese classical music.

She has fundraised for earthquake relief, the American Cancer Society and other organizations.

Ani Samuelian (Norwalk) is the 2023 Businesswoman of the Year of Senate District 30.

She was recognized for her distinguished career and outstanding hard work and dedication to the success of Nationwide Environmental Services and its community outreach.

As the only female president of one of the largest street sweeping companies in the country, Ani has overcome significant challenges in a male-dominated industry and has emerged as a true trailblazer.

The 2023 Women of Achievement of Senate District 30 were recognized for their contributions, in meaningful ways, to the prosperity and well-being of the District.

The 2023 honorees were:

• Norma Amezcua (Norwalk), who has served her community in different capacities, including as past president of the Norwalk Lions Club, past commissioner for the Norwalk Social Services Department, as well as other committees. For the past 16 years, she has worked as the Early Care and Education Program Director for the Mexican American Opportunity Foundation, a nonprofit organization that uses a multi-generational approach to uplift the whole family.
• Debbie Avila-Mott (Diamond Bar), who is heavily involved in community activities and organizations through her involvement in the Diamond Bar Breakfast Lions and the Diamond Bar Women’s Club. She is also the founder of the Diamond Bar Leos Community Club, which focuses on service to the community and teaching young students leadership skills and the importance of giving back to the community.
• Letitia (Tish) Berbaum (Brea) is a selfless advocate for gender equity and the success of working women everywhere. She has supported, both financially and with volunteer hours, the Brea Chamber of Commerce’s Women Rising Leadership Academy, which mentors young women who are most likely to face barriers to career advancement.
• Barbara Briley Beard (Downey) has made a lasting impact on the community as the current President of the California Federation of Women’s Club. In this position, she oversees over 9,000 women in 244 clubs across the state of California. These organizations prioritize community service projects and organize an array of fundraisers to donate towards various community service programs.
• Rozalyn Corona (La Mirada) is a local businesswoman who founded the Chingona Community, a non-profit dedicated to furthering workplace opportunities for women across California. Her organization consists of mothers, entrepreneurs, educators, and other local leaders who prioritize community outreach events such as food drives and toy donations.
• Carol Crosby (Whittier) is a longtime public servant who has proudly served on the Whittier Area Chamber of Commerce for 30 years. During that time, Carol has expanded club membership substantially. She has also been a tireless advocate for small businesses and has promoted job creation and economic development.
• Adriana Dugan (Montebello) is a longtime resident of Montebello, and is currently the Interim Executive Director of the Montebello Chamber of Commerce and has been serving the community as a Chamber Ambassador, including Chairperson for more than 20 years, and assisting other service organizations in the area. She joined as a Chamber Staff member in August of 2018 in the role of Member Services Specialist and provided the assistance and connection members needed.
• Petra Jimenez (Pico Rivera) is longtime resident of Pico Rivera and member of the Pio Pico Woman’s Club, who has provided countless volunteer hours coordinating events, luncheons and fundraisers. She is a former president and treasurer, valued by the membership as a kind, patient person dedicated to the club and the community.
• Janet Kapusta (City of Industry) is a business owner in the City of Industry, best known for her acts of community service through her business Frank and Son Collectible Show, encouraging residents to take part in various city events to give back to those in need. Whether it be donating extra PPE during the pandemic, or hosting blood drives at her show, Janet has used her unique connection to the community to bring people together and give back to the city she loves.
• Teri Malkin (Rowland Heights) has made a lasting impact on the community as a former educator, volunteer, and community activist. Through her various memberships in numerous local organizations such as the Rowland Heights Women’s Club and the Hacienda Heights Kiwanis Club, Teri has been a tireless advocate for educational programs in her community.
• Virginia Rodriguez (La Mirada) is a longtime resident of the city of La Mirada where she presides as the President of the La Mirada Pop Warner Youth Football and Cheer. In her position as President of this organization, Virginia oversees more than 80 volunteers serving as coaches, administrators, and game staff to the more than 250 youth participants who compete every year.
• Dianne Sauco (Diamond Bar) is the Chief Nursing Officer at PIH Health Downey Hospital and is working to grow many of its programs to treat a larger number of patients and provide more comprehensive care. She exhibits transformational leadership – motivating and inspiring those she works with while also establishing a level of trust and cooperation amongst her colleagues.
• Pamela Sepulveda (Lakewood) Pamela is a longtime public servant and educator who is currently serving as the Basic Needs Case Manager at Cerritos College. While in that position, Pamela has expanded the program to take on a variety of outreach tasks including the creation of the Falcon’s Nest program which consists of a laundry card program, a gas card program, an expansion of housing program, and a financial wellness program to give back to those in need within her community.
• Wanda Valenzuela (La Habra Heights) is the publisher and editor of the La Habra Heights Neighbors, a monthly magazine featuring stories of the families who contribute to the vitality and uniqueness of the community. Her publication helps bring the community together through its storytelling, strengthening the bond between the residents of La Habra Heights.
• Claudia Villalba (Downey) is a local businesswoman and the CEO of Action Youth America in the city of Downey. Through her organization, Claudia works directly with school administrators and board members to provide “quality after-school, programming” in a variety of fields to students across the state.
• Connie Yip (Hacienda Heights) is a Vietnamese-American who immigrated to the United States in 1975 where she and her family founded a small local furniture store. An active member of the community, Connie has volunteered numerous hours of her time to her local library and at the Hsi Lai Temple in Hacienda Heights.
• Sylvia Ynzunza (La Puente) is a longtime La Puente resident known for her dedicated community involvement. In her retirement, she joined the San Gabriel Valley Woman’s Club of La Puente for two years before joining the Kiwanis Club of La Puente, where she has served as secretary, treasurer and vice president.

It was an honor to stand with activists and colleagues to support Senator Angelique Ashby’s #SCR29 during Women In Construction Week. Women entering the construction trades and thriving in the industry will greatly help meet California's ambitious infrastructure and housing goals.

Every day, my team and I are working with public office leaders, talking with families, and listening to businesses to determine how we can come together in service to our community.

From visiting the District’s schools, community organizations and businesses, we are on the ground and working to be of service by supporting these institutions in any way possible as your Senator.

I look forward to continue serving our community, meeting more of you in the months and years to come, and doing great work together to make the Thirtieth Senate District a welcoming home for everyone. 

My wife Rose and I had a wonderful time at the Norwalk Lions Club of California Pancake Breakfast Sunday. It’s an annual fundraiser to help fund the club's programs that benefit the community. It was great to join Rep. Grace F. Napolitano, Lions Club President Anthony Garcia and many constituents.

I am pleased to announce that the 2023 California Latino Legislative Caucus Foundation Scholarship Program will begin accepting online applications on April 1, 2023. Each student awarded a scholarship shall receive $5,000.  The deadline to submit an application is June 1, 2023.

Program parameters, applications and FAQ are currently available on the Foundation website at: www.cllcf.org.

Me complace anunciar que el  Programa de Becas 2023 de la Fundación de la Bancada Latina de la Legislatura de California comenzará a aceptar solicitudes en línea el 1 de abril de 2023. Cada estudiante al que se le otorgue una beca recibirá $5,000. La fecha límite para presentar una solicitud es el 1 de junio de 2023. Los parámetros del programa, las solicitudes y las preguntas frecuentes están actualmente disponibles en el sitio web de la Fundación en: www.cllcf.org.

With the end of countywide COVID-19 emergency declarations, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (Public Health) has aligned county safety measures with federal and state COVID-19 guidance, while continuing to require a few common-sense measures at worksites, educational institutions and healthcare facilities to reduce COVID-19-related disruptions and protect the people at highest risk of severe illness.

At worksites and educational settings, COVID-19 isolation and notification guidelines for staff are set by CAL/OSHA. Public Health’s newly issued school guidance align with both CAL/OSHA and state department of public health recommendations. Read here for more information.

Every April, Autism Speaks and other autism organizations recognize World Autism Month to raise awareness and acceptance of the 1 in 36 children and 1 in 45 adults with autism in the US. This occasion began with the United Nations-sanctioned World Autism Awareness Day on April 2. Throughout the month, the focus is on sharing stories and providing opportunities to increase understanding and acceptance of people with autism, fostering worldwide support.