DPCCC membership approved the following resolution at the September 15, 2022 regular meeting.

WHEREAS, from the founding of our nation to the present day, we have had need from time to time to call upon our people to take up arms to defend the Constitution from all enemies, foreign and domestic; and

WHEREAS there have always been those among our neighbors, friends and families who have answered this call, and risen as a free people to defend liberty and democracy; leaving their homes and families to face the nation’s foes, and all too often returning home with wounds seen and unseen, and 

WHEREAS we recognize and accept as a sacred duty the need to honor this service, and care for those who have suffered in defense of the nation, and for the families of those who have fallen or have returned in pain that the rest of us may live in freedom and happiness; and

 WHEREAS November the 11^th has been designated by act of Congress as Veteran’s Day, and dedicated to the memory and celebration of all who have served in the defense of the nation, and for the families and friend who have loved and supported them; and

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Democratic Party of Contra Costa County calls upon our fellow citizens to take time on this special day to recognize the valor, courage, and sacrifice of our veterans through appropriate ceremonies and personal appreciation. We call upon all representatives of government, civic organizations, schools, and private industries to fully support the celebration of this holiday, and to honor those among us who have served their nation and communities so faithfully and well.

Submitted by Peter Ericson, Associate Member, District 2

Approved by the Democratic Party of Contra Costa County, September 15, 2022

DPCCC membership approved the following resolution at the September 15, 2022 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, protectors of the land and other natural resources, 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 fair, respectful and balanced coalitions that speak the truth about California’s past to begin to heal the deep trauma, loss 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, establishing a Truth and Healing Council to correct the historical records of California 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, National Day of Recognition of Native American heritage and American Indian and Alaska Native Heritage Month, in the month of November and participate in local efforts to right the wrongs of the past.

Respectfully submitted by:

Debra Vinson, Choctaw, CADEM, Finance Committee Member, AD11, DPCCC, District III Elected Representative, ECCDC Founder and Chair in 2021

Reviewed by Renee Zeimer, 2022

Approved by the Democratic Party of Contra Costa County, September 15, 2022

DPCCC membership approved the following resolution at the August 18, 2022 regular meeting.

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; U.S. Representative for New York’s 14th Congressional District, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, 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; and 

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Democratic Party of Contra Costa County hereby proclaims September 15 through October 15, 2022, as National Hispanic Heritage Month and commits itself to serving as a center 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 18th day of August 2022.

Authored by Marisol Rubio, Carolina Villaseca, and María Alegría.