DPCCC membership approved the following resolution at the April 21, 2022 regular meeting.

WHEREAS, from our Nation’s earliest days, Jewish Americans have been an essential part of the American story, greatly contributing to the religious, cultural, political, economic, and intellectual advancement of all people even while in the face of discrimination and adversity, working to realize the American dream; and 

WHEREAS, as we celebrate the rich heritage of the Jewish American community, in Contra Costa County, California and the nation, we recognize that American Jews have worked tirelessly to strengthen the promise of religious freedom and civil rights in the United States by joining together with all faiths to reject ignorance and intolerance, teach empathy and compassion, and root out hatred wherever it exists, and through our understanding and study of the Holocaust, we know the human devastation that can come from systemic prejudice, and are compelled to “never forget”; and 

WHEREAS, May has been recognized as Jewish American Heritage Month by Presidential Proclamation stating that The Jewish American experience is a story of faith, fortitude, and progress, and 

WHEREAS, in spite of the vibrant culture and contributions, we are reminded that the Jewish people have and continue to experience prejudice and discrimination in Contra Costa County, within the State of California, across the United States, and internationally, and continue to confront hostility and bigotry; and 

WHEREAS, we share the obligation and responsibility to condemn and combat anti-Semitism and hatred wherever it exists and honor Jewish Americans — past and present — who have inextricably woven their experience and their accomplishments into the fabric of our national identity.

NOW THEREFORE, the Democratic Party of Contra Costa County recognizes May 2022 as Jewish American Heritage Month. We celebrate the hard-fought progress won through the struggle and sacrifice of Jewish Americans, and we rededicate ourselves to building a world where diversity is cherished and faith is protected. 

Renee Zeimer, Elected representative, District 2 

Approved by the Democratic Party of Contra Costa County, April 21, 2022

DPCCC membership approved the following resolution at the April 21, 2022 regular meeting.

WHEREAS, the month of May was chosen as Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month to commemorate the immigration of the first Japanese citizen, Nakahama Manjiro, to the United States on May 7, 1843, but also the anniversary of the May 10, 1869, completion of the first Transcontinental Railroad, built with the back-breaking labor of nearly 20,000 Chinese immigrants; and

WHEREAS, Contra Costa County’s population is more than 18 percent Asian American and Pacific Islander and includes devoted community members who serve as artists, business owners, educators, health care professionals, lawyers and judges, elected officials, clergy members, first responders, military personnel and essential front-line service workers; and 

WHEREAS, in the 1920s and 30s, Filipino immigrants arrived in the United States seeking fortune but facing discrimination as they worked in the vast agricultural fields of California.  These manongs and manangs played a significant role in building the farm workers movement, including leading the Delano Grape Strike in 1965; and

WHEREAS, we celebrate the achievements and contributions of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders that enrich our history, society and culture, we also must be aware that AAPI history has been whitewashed and significantly erased in American curriculum, including the Chinese Exclusion Act, the Alien Land Acts, the mass incarceration of Japanese Americans, among many other issues. We must also acknowledge a darker aspect of the AAPI experience in America – structural discrimination, prejudice and injustice that most recently manifested itself in racist attacks on Asian Americans related to the COVID-19 pandemic; and 

WHEREAS, an analysis by the Center for the Study of Hate and Extremism at California State University, San Bernardino, found that overall hate crimes in America’s largest cities decrease by 7 percent in 2020; while hate crimes targeting people of Asian ancestry rose by nearly 150% during the same time period; and

WHEREAS, individual AAPI populations fare very differently when disaggregated. For example, Pacific Islanders and Southeast Asians fare significantly worse in life outcomes in comparison to East and South Asians, and that colorism in AAPI populations also impact treatment and access; and; 

WHEREAS, Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders have distinguished themselves as leading researchers in science, medicine, and technology; innovative farmers and ranchers; distinguished lawyers, judges and government leaders; in the arts, literature, and sports; as war heroes who defended our country from fascism; and as essential service workers and peacetime healthcare heroes currently on the front lines of the pandemic; and 

WHEREAS, today more than 20 million Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders live in the United States and through their actions, make America a more vibrant, prosperous, and secure nation.

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Democratic Party of Contra Costa County celebrates May 2022 as AAPI Heritage Month, and encourages all in our community to learn more about Asian American and Pacific Islander heritage, and work to combat racism and xenophobia as we celebrate this month with cultural events and educational activities.

Susan Hildreth, Elected Representative, District 2, with input from AAPI members

Approved by the Democratic Party of Contra Costa County, April 21, 2022

DPCCC membership approved the following resolution at the March 17, 2022 regular meeting.

WHEREAS, for over a century, Arab Americans have been making valuable contributions to virtually every aspect of American society, including medicine, law, business, technology, government, and culture; and 

WHEREAS, since migrating to the United States, men and women of Arab descent have shared their rich culture and traditions with neighbors and friends, while also setting fine examples of model citizens and public servants; and 

WHEREAS, Arab migrants to the United States brought with them their resilient family values, strong work ethic, dedication to education, and diversity in faith and creed, strengthening the fabric of our diverse nation; and 

WHEREAS, the history of Arab Americans in American life often remains neglected or defaced by misunderstanding, bigotry, and anti-Arab hate in the form of crimes and speech; and 

WHEREAS, issues currently affecting Arab Americans, such as civil rights abuses, harmful stereotyping, harassment, and bullying, must be combated in the forms of education and awareness; and 

WHEREAS, there is a need for public education, awareness, and policies that are culturally competent when describing, discussing, or addressing the impacts of being Arab American in all aspects of American society, including discourse and policy; and

NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Democratic Party of Contra Costa County celebrates the countless contributions that Arab Americans have made to American society and the State of California, recognizing and honoring the month of April 2022 to be Arab American Heritage Month.

Based on Mt Diablo Unified School District 2021 Resolution provided by Cherise Khaund

Approved by the Democratic Party of Contra Costa County, March 17, 2022

DPCCC membership approved this endorsement at the March 17, 2022 regular meeting.

https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billNavClient.xhtml?bill_id=202120220SB1014

DPCCC membership approved the following resolution at the February 17, 2022 regular meeting.

WHEREAS, American women of every race, culture, class, faith, and ethnic background, representing 50.8% of the United States population, have made historic contributions to the growth and strength of our Nation in countless recorded and unrecorded ways; and

 WHEREAS, American women have played and continue to play a crucial economic, cultural, and social role in every sphere of life in the Nation by constituting a significant portion of the paid and unpaid labor force working inside and outside of the home; and

WHEREAS, American women were particularly important in the establishment of early charitable, philanthropic, and cultural institutions in our Nation; and 

WHEREAS, American women’s contributions were instrumental in the perseverance of the Nation during the Second World War (WWII), more recent wars/conflicts, the race for space and many other crises; and

WHEREAS, American women of every race, culture, class, faith, and ethnic background served as early leaders in the forefront of every major progressive social change movement; and 

WHEREAS, American women have been leaders, not only in securing their own rights of suffrage and equal opportunity, but also in the abolitionist movement, the emancipation movement, the industrial labor movement, the civil rights movement, the peace movement, and other movements, all of which strive to create a more fair and just society for all; and 

WHEREAS, the many women-owned businesses and women entrepreneurs contribute in a major way to the health and success of our local communities, their economies, create jobs, and demonstrate effective leadership; and

WHEREAS, from local Special Districts to Sacramento to the White House, women are leading and making change in government; and

WHEREAS, Contra Costa Democrats celebrate the many women leaders who are elected or appointed throughout our county and nation, including our first woman Vice President in 2020, Kamala Harris and our first woman District Attorney in 2017, Diana Becton; along with the historic number of women who were elected in the most recent elections, we also recognize that women are still underrepresented in our legislatures, board rooms, and the judiciary; and

WHEREAS, the objectification of, violence against, and the exploitation of girls and women continues to be pervasive in the United States and across the world, while society continues to fail to educate young boys and men about boundaries and to hold them accountable; and

WHEREAS, lawmakers continue to infringe upon the rights of women to have autonomy over their bodies and access to the health care; and

WHEREAS, despite women’s contributions and proven talents and skills, the role of women in history is consistently overlooked and their qualifications undervalued and dismissed in literature, education, the study of American history, media coverage and government; and

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Democratic Party of Contra Costa County proudly recognizes the month of March 2022 as Women’s History Month and stands in solidarity and fully supports the contributions of all women throughout history. 

Approved by the Democratic Party of Contra Costa County, February 17, 2022

DPCCC membership approved this endorsement at the February 17, 2022 regular meeting.

https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billTextClient.xhtml?bill_id=202120220SB467

DPCCC membership approved the following resolution at the January 20, 2022 regular meeting.

Whereas, Diana Becton is the first African American woman to serve as District Attorney (DA) in Contra Costa County; and

Whereas, Diana Becton, as a Judge for 22 years in Contra Costa County, has handled criminal, civil and environmental prosecutions and lawsuits, and has overseen cases in our juvenile justice system, prior to her election as District Attorney; and

Whereas, Diana Becton is a champion of criminal justice reform, partnering with The Vera Institute of Justice (VERA). The partnership allowed the DA’s Office to take a critical look at its own decision-making by joining an exclusive approach aimed at ending racial and implicit bias in the justice system; and

Whereas, Diana Becton established the DA’s Office first Human Trafficking Unit to develop a collaborative and comprehensive approach to combat exploitation of persons for sex or labor, coordinate victim services, and provide education to raise community awareness; and 

Whereas, Diana Becton joined Code For America’s initiative, to dismiss thousands of old marijuana convictions. Roughly 2400 individuals received relief and will no longer have felony and/or misdemeanor convictions on their record; and

Whereas, Diana Becton formed a Reimagine Youth Justice Task Force that will study and make recommendations on the most effective ways to invest in our justice involving youth through restorative, community-based solutions instead of investing in youth prisons which have proven to result in worse outcomes for our children and families; and

Whereas, under Diana Becton’s leadership, Contra Costa County was selected to participate in the California County Resentencing Pilot Program. The program builds on AB 2942, which allows a district attorney to review old sentences and determine if the sentence still serves the interest of justice and the community; and

Whereas, Diana Becton created a new process to improve investigations by the DA’s Office for officer-involved shootings and held the first-ever training for the Investigative Unit on officer-involved shootings; and

Whereas, Diana Becton successfully prosecuted and led to a Concord resident’s conviction for four felony charges related to posting antisemitic murder threats online and illegally possessing an assault weapon; and

Whereas, Diana Becton successfully prosecuted the case against a Sheriff’s Deputy. This was not only a crime, but  tarnished the badge, and harmed the reputation of all the good, hard-working police officers that work in Contra Costa County; and

Whereas, Diana Becton’s Office successfully held a local steel company accountable for dumping toxic waste in our community and was the local steel company was forced to pay a $4 million fine; and

Whereas, Diana Becton’s Office continues to file felony charges on those caught in relation to the organized retail theft incident at Walnut Creek, coordinating with law enforcement partners throughout the Bay Area to identify perpetrators of organized retail theft;

Therefore, be it resolved, that the Democratic Party of Contra Costa County commends District Attorney Diana Becton’s leadership which upholds our democratic values in her work for criminal justice reform, equity and fairness for all Contra Costa County’s residents; and

Therefore, be it further resolved, that this commendation be distributed to Democratic elected leaders and Democratic Clubs in Contra Costa County.

Submitted by María Alegría, Elected Delegate, District 1

DPCCC membership approved the following resolution at the January 20, 2022 regular meeting.

WHEREAS local print and digital journalism is disappearing at a record rate, with subscriptions to local news decreasing steadily since the spread of the internet and corporations buying local news outlets and then cutting budgets and staff; and

WHEREAS trust in journalists is at an all-time low nationally, while many local reporters retain the goodwill and trust of their communities; and

WHEREAS local print and digital journalism are essential to the continued welfare, transparency, and prosperity of government at every level and to ensuring our democracy continues to survive; 

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Democratic Party of Contra Costa County commends Rep. Mark DeSaulnier for authoring H.R. 6068, the Saving Local News Act, and encourages Congress to pass this legislation to help ensure that local digital and print news continues to operate in a robust manner for years to come; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Democratic Party of Contra Costa County shall communicate this resolution to Contra Costa County Democrats, the California Democratic Party, and members of Congress representing any part of Contra Costa County.

Submitted by Craig Cheslog, Associate Member, District 5