DPCCC membership approved the following resolution at the October 21, 2021 regular meeting.

WHEREAS, California comprises the following federally recognized Native American tribes: The Western Region has 27 federally recognized tribes, the Southern Region has 30 federally recognized tribes, the Northern Region has 19 federally recognized tribes and the Eastern Region has 28 federally recognized tribes and these federally recognized tribes are hosts of the lands in California that have more federally recognized tribes than any other state in the US; and

WHEREAS, Native American history spans thousands of years throughout our continent, pre-dating the establishment of the United State of America,  and the contributions of the Indigenous tribes to our way of living are vast, from food, spiritual practices, healing practices, government and political contributions, protection of land rights, keepers of the climate, writers, athletes, thespians, political pioneers, veterans, artists, scientists, knowledge keepers of the Native Universe past and present and developers and contributors of the National Museum of the American Indian; and

WHEREAS, the diversity that exists within the tribes of California Native Americans are committed to contributing to new and improved educational resources and curriculum that is provided by the State’s History-Social Studies frameworks for K-12 public schools to include updated and broad information on the history and culture of the original inhabitants of California; and

WHEREAS, we can never undo the wrongs that were inflicted on the people who lived on these lands known as the state of California, but we can work together to build peaceful coalitions and to speak the truth about California’s past to begin to heal deep trauma and grief, and  

WHEREAS, Governor Gavin Newsom issued an executive order apologizing for the violence, mistreatment and neglect inflicted upon California Native Americans throughout the State’s history, and established a Truth and Healing Council to clarify the historical records in California of Native Americans; and

WHEREAS, California designated the fourth Friday of every September as California Native American Day; and

THEREFORE Be it resolved that the Democratic Party of Contra Costa County recognizes and fully supports the California Native American Day on the fourth Friday of September, the National Day of Recognition of Native American heritage on the second Monday of October and American Indian and Alaska Native Heritage Month, in the month of November.

Respectfully submitted by:

Debra Vinson, Choctaw, CADEM, Finance Committee Member, AD11, DPCCC, District III Elected Representative, ECCDC Founder and Chair

With prior authorization by the Central Committee, DPCCC’s Executive Committee passed the following resolution on October 7, 2021:

WHEREAS, Ms. Betty Reid Soskin was born on September 22, 1921 in Detroit, Michigan, spent her early childhood in New Orleans, Louisiana, and her family subsequently relocated to Oakland, California where she graduated from Castlemont High School; she worked as a file clerk during World War II for the Boilermakers Union A-36 and has continued to be a Labor advocate after leaving that position; Ms. Betty Reid Soskin, and her then husband Mel Reid, opened Reid’s Records on Sacramento Street in Berkeley in 1945, and she and her children kept it successfully in business for nearly 75 years until closing in 2019; they also invested in Contra Costa County through building a home for their family in Walnut Creek in the 1950s and demonstrated grit while encountering racism and death threats during the years of living there, she currently resides in Richmond; and

WHEREAS, Ms. Betty Reid Soskin became a well-known Community Activist and also  served as a Field Representative for two California State Assemblymembers: Dion Aroner and Loni Hancock, where she made significant contributions to the planning stages and development of the Rosie the Riveter/World War II Home Front National Historical Park established in 2000, followed by becoming a Park Ranger for the National Park Service in 2007 and gave the introduction for President Barak Obama for the 2015 White House Christmas tree lighting ceremony and is still employed as a Park Ranger today; and

WHEREAS, Ms. Betty Reid Soskin: Woman, Mother, Businesswoman, Singer/Songwriter, Park Ranger and Published Author has regularly demonstrated Communal Leadership, Excellent Representation for women of all ages and Outstanding Citizenship as a resident of Contra Costa County, who is affectionately referred to (by some) as the “Iron Lady” with a heart of gold;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Democratic Party of Contra Costa County Recognizes and Congratulates Contra Costa County resident Ms. Betty Reid Soskin in Celebration of her 100^th Birthday on September 22, 2021.

Respectfully Submitted by:

Joey D. Smith, DPCCC 2^nd Vice-Chair

Approved by: Democratic Party of Contra Costa County Executive Committee, October 7, 2021

With prior authorization by the Central Committee, DPCCC’s Executive Committee passed the following Resolution in Support of Women’s History on September 2, 2021:

WHEREAS President George H. W. Bush declared September 15 through October 15 “National Hispanic Heritage Month” on September 14, 1989; and

WHEREAS Hispanics/Latino(x)s comprise 27.9 percent of Contra Costa County residents, 39.4 percent of Californians, therein becoming the largest racial or ethnic group in California, and 18.7 percent of U.S. residents and the second largest racial or ethnic group in the nation; and

WHEREAS Hispanic/Latino(x) Americans made an enduring impression on our history, leading hard-fought progress for our country and bravely committing themselves to defending our nation and its most treasured ideals at home and overseas with heroic determination and perseverance embedded into our nation’s character; and

WHEREAS Hispanics/Latino(x)s writers, artists, chefs, and musicians enrich our humanities, arts, gastronomy, and culture; innovative entrepreneurs drive our economy; pioneering scientists and engineers make discoveries that revolutionize our lives; and advocates lead sociopolitical change; and

WHEREAS labor leaders and civil rights activists César Chavez and Dolores Huerta created more just working conditions for many Latino(x)s and organizations such as Hijas del Campo, United Latino Voices, and Concilio Latino today give visibility to the needs of our community and to the many brave Latino(x) essential and frontline workers who kept our economy, food delivery, and health services operating during COVID-19, despite being the most impacted ethnic group in Contra Costa County; and

WHEREAS the ever-present participation of Democratic Hispanic/Latino(x) Americans in politics and our justice system help create a more equitable society for all, including the first U.S. Senator, Alex Padilla; Secretary of Health and Human Service, Javier Becerra; Secretary of Education, Dr. Miguel Cardona; first Supreme Court Justice, Justice Sonia Sotomayor; and State Superintendent of Public Instruction, Tony Thurmond; and

WHEREAS Contra Costa County is home to twenty-six elected Hispanic/Latino(x) Democratic elected officials: sixteen in District 1, one in District 2, six in District 3, two in District 5, one serving both Districts 3 and 5, and none in District 4; and

WHEREAS within the Democratic Party of Contra Costa County we have five publicly elected Latino(x) members, including Maria Alegria, Genoveva Calloway, Tony Tiscareno, Anamaria Avila Farias, and César Zepeda; Carolina Villaseca serving as District 3 Director; and both Anamarie Avila Farias and Marisol Rubio, representing our county as elected public officials and as California Democratic Party (CDP) E-Board Members with the latter also serving as Co-Chair of the CDP Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Standing Committee, all paving the way for greater minority and Hispanic/Latino(x) representation across Contra Costa County and California;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Democratic Party of Contra Costa County hereby proclaims September 15 through October 15, 2021, as National Hispanic Heritage Month and commits itself to serving as a hub for the collection and dissemination of information relating to and/or impacting the Latino community and to continuing the fight for fair wages, safe working conditions, good schools, a clean environment, access to health care, and equal treatment under the law for all; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Democratic Party of Contra Costa County calls upon public officials, our Party leadership, and all Americans to observe this month by encouraging, elevating, and empowering Democratic Latino(x) leaders through engagement in the political process, community events, and internship/fellowship opportunities; by endorsing meaningful legislation and policies that directly impact all Latino(x)s; by amplifying the visibility and participation of Latino(x)s in state government and providing new role models through the advancement of qualified candidates across California; and by discovering exemplary Latino(x)s to fill vacant positions within the state judiciary and other elected offices.

PASSED AND ADOPTED by the following called vote this 2nd day of September 2021

Authored by Marisol Rubio, María Alegría, Carolina Villaseca

DPCCC membership approved the following resolution at the August 19, 2021 regular meeting.

WHEREAS, common womxn’s health diseases have traumatic, life-altering symptoms; and

WHEREAS, these diseases are rated among the 20 most painful according to the United Kingdom’s National Health Service; and

WHEREAS, the “x” in “womxn’s health” represents inclusivity of transgender and nonbinary individuals; and

WHEREAS, womxn’s health diseases impact all races, cultures, and religions; and

WHEREAS, womxn’s health diseases have historically been subject to bias, myths, and misinformation; and

WHEREAS, symptoms of womxn’s health diseases can include, but are not limited to, pelvic pain, organ pain, brain fog, migraines, gastrointestinal symptoms, and fatigue; and

WHEREAS, youth who experience these symptoms are particularly in distress, and are often dismissed, subjected to “medical gaslighting,” or told that they are dramatic, attention-seeking, exaggerating, or hypochondriacs; and

WHEREAS, youth who suffer from these diseases are often incorrectly diagnosed. Common womxn’s health diseases have a delay in diagnosis of an average of 10 years; and

WHEREAS, on average, endometriosis, adenomyosis, polycystic ovary syndrome, premenstrual dysphoric disorder, interstitial cystitis, and uterine fibroids affect the lives of 1 in 10 womxn; and

WHEREAS, womxn’s health diseases are chronic and cyclical, can be debilitating. Flares of these diseases can cause spontaneous disability; and

WHEREAS, many youth have overlapping womxn’s health diseases; and

WHEREAS, womxn’s health diseases are widely dismissed and misunderstood to be “just a bad period” or “hysteria”; and

WHEREAS, if youth who experience painful and debilitating symptoms from this trauma are not believed, it can lead to future fertility complications, as well as social isolation, negative mental health outcomes such as depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation, and school disruptions, including poor test performance and truancy; and

WHEREAS, not believing youth sets the stage for an inner dialogue of self-doubt and low self-esteem, and can lead to permanent disability and future socioeconomic hardship. How and when youth learn about menstrual health, body literacy, and common womxn’s health diseases impacts future health outcomes and can limit accurate diagnosis and connection to quality care; and

WHEREAS, FemTruth Youth is a movement to provide intentional space, education, self-identity, artistic expression, and wellness empowerment due to the ableism and gender bias in common womxn’s health diseases, including, but not limited to, endometriosis, adenomyosis, polycystic ovary syndrome, premenstrual dysphoric disorder, interstitial cystitis, and uterine fibroids, and the stigmatized and gaslit symptoms related to chronic or cyclical pain and the associated negative mental outcomes of not being believed; and

WHEREAS, early intervention is key to quality of life, family planning, and financial independence. An adult who believes a youth experiencing distress caused by a womxn’s health disease can change the course of that youth’s life;

NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Democratic Party of Contra Costa County (DPCCC) recognizes the month of September 2021 as FemTruth Youth Womxn’s Health Awareness Month, and encourages all school officials, leadership, faculty, administration, volunteers, and all other adults interacting with students to listen to and believe the stories of marginalized youth living with stigmatized health trauma, including diseases primarily and more severely affecting girls and people assigned female at birth (AFAB), and to recognize that these diseases contribute to negative mental health outcomes for these youth and have intersectional implications in areas such as education and economic status; and be it further; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this resolution will be transmitted to the author for appropriate distribution.

DPCCC membership approved the following resolution at the August 19, 2021 regular meeting.

WHEREAS, the 11^th of November has been chosen as a National Holiday to recognize those who have served in the armed forces of the United States, first as Armistice Day, the anniversary of the end of the First World War on November 11^th, 1918, and subsequently as Veterans Day, in recognition of service in all of this nation’s conflicts; and

WHEREAS, there are over 55,000 veterans living in Contra Costa County, and many more people who are the family members of those who have served. These, our fellow citizens, have sacrificed much in the defense of our nation, and the freedoms that we honor. Many have suffered physical and mental harm, and struggle to return fully to the life of peace that they left when their nation and fellow citizens called; and 

WHEREAS, we recognize the achievements of our veterans, in all of their endeavors, and renew our commitment to supporting them and their families. We commit to ensure that no veteran shall lack for the opportunity for affordable housing, employment, education, and health care due to their service to the nation. We shall make sure that their wounds are healed, and they are welcomed back into their communities with honor and respect;

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Democratic Party of Contra Costa County celebrates November 11^th, 2021 as “Veterans Day”, and shall spend it in solemn remembrance of those who have sacrificed all in the service of our country, and in grateful recognition of those who have returned to our community, and their families.

DPCCC membership approved the following resolution at the August 19, 2021 regular meeting.

WHEREAS under the Employment First Policy adopted in 2013, the State of California has committed to competitive integrated employment for youth and adults with disabilities as the highest priority for working-age individuals, a significant aspect of anyone’s life and identity, as a framework for Californians with disabilities to achieve financial stability, self-fulfillment, connection with their community, and a way to contribute their talents to build a more inclusive economy and society, when given the opportunity; and

WHEREAS despite the State of California’s best efforts, Californians with disabilities including those with developmental disabilities, continue to suffer disproportionately from high rates of unemployment, untenably low wages, and myriad barriers to screening, interviewing, and hiring as indicated by the 2018 American Community Survey where the employment rate of working-age people with disabilities was 37.5 percent compared to 77.8 percent of working-age people without disabilities as well as data from the Regional Center of the East Bay, serving individuals with developmental disabilities in Alameda and Contra Costa Counties, which reports that only 22% of its working-age adults are currently employed; and 

WHEREAS the Disabilities Caucus of the California Democratic Party, Democratic County Central Committees and Democratic Clubs, which include contributing members with disabilities as well as service providers, advocates and allies of the disabled who use their voices to promote the welfare of the Disability community ensuring that issues affecting it, such as employment disparities, are included in the Democratic Party platform;

NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Democratic Party of Contra Costa County recognizes and commemorates the 76th anniversary of National Disability Employment Awareness Month and call upon employers, schools, and community organizations in Contra Costa County to observe October with appropriate programs and activities to advance its important message that people with disabilities add value and talent to our workplaces and communities; and 

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Democratic Party of Contra Costa County pledges to work with disability rights members and allies to collaborate with organizations which seek to increase employment opportunities for people with disabilities and take action to promote policies and practices that support the living-wage employment of people with disabilities in integrated settings, and use its platform to educate employers and the public regarding the contributions that people with disabilities, when given the opportunity, can bring to the workplace.