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

WHEREAS the Democratic Party of Contra Costa County supported Measure X in the 2020 General Election which received 58.45% of the Countywide vote; 

WHEREAS a key priority of Measure X was investment in fire and paramedic services to protect residents in emergencies;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Democratic Party of Contra Costa County supports the Contra Costa Fire Service Proposal of Measure X funding which would improve Fire Service Delivery, especially in East and West Contra Costa County, leverage Measure X funds to achieve consolidation of Fire Agencies, where applicable, that would enhance services, improve response times, provide administrative and operational efficiencies, increase services for underserved communities, provide equitable distribution of Measure X Funds, additional firefighters (48) and 5 stations countywide, and;

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Democratic Party of Contra Costa County shall communicate this resolution to the Measure X Advisory Committee and the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors, and to elected officials representing the city, education, special districts, state and federal legislators.

Submitted by:

Maria Alegria, DPCCC, District 1 Elected Member, Past DPCCC Chair
Pinole Councilmember Anthony Tave, DPCCC Associate Member
IAFF President Vince Wells and Vice President Jerry Short
6.23.21
Revised 8.02.2021

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.

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, 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.