Proclamation in Celebration of American Indian and Alaska Native Heritage Month, November 1 – 30, 2022; California Native American Day, September 23, 2022; National Day of Recognition of Native American Heritage, November 25, 2022

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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

Agenda for special Membership meeting to decide 2022 endorsements

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DPCCC is holding a special Membership meeting this Thursday, September 1 at 6pm to decide our 2022 general election endorsements. Although it has already been noticed to members by email as usual with our meeting agendas, the agenda is also being posted here on the public website in compliance with our Bylaws:

Any DPCCC meeting where official endorsements will be voted on must have this item properly placed on the agenda, and the agenda must be postmarked or sent by e-mail to all DPCCC members at least seven (7) days before the meeting is held and posted on the DPCCC public website.

If you are a registered Democrat, wish to attend, and do not already have the Zoom link for the meeting, please email the Secretary to receive it.

Please note that while any registered Democrat may attend, only the Regular Members of DPCCC and/or their Alternates will be able to vote.

Special membership agenda

2022 general election endorsements

Thursday, September 1, 2022, 6pm

Agenda

  1. Call to order and welcome
  2. Review Zoom meeting procedures
  3. Establish a quorum (31 out of 60 Regular Members)  
  4. Approve agenda
  5. Action items and reports
    1. 1st Vice-Chair – Susana Williams
      1. Endorsements Committee – Irene Tait and Tamela Hawley
        1. General election 2022 endorsements consent calendar (additional documents: Endorsements voting process, candidate questionnaires)
  6. Adjourn

August 2022 DPCCC Newsletter

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AUGUST 2022 NEWSLETTER
CHAIR’S MESSAGE

At our August 18 General Membership meeting, DPCCC members heard an important message from Planned Parenthood Northern California (PPNC) President and CEO Gilda Gonzales and Director of Public Affairs Margaret Martinez Franks. 

I appreciated their update and the call to action they shared with us. You can read more about their presentation in the August Meeting Report. 

Our Endorsements Committee has been hard at work in all five districts preparing to make recommendations for the candidates we should support in the November elections. We will have a lot of work to do to counteract the statewide and national efforts of Republicans and their allies. CalMatters reported on what is happening in school board elections throughout California. I am glad the reporter pointed out what we have been doing to support our school board members in Contra Costa. 
 
Please let me know if you want to learn more about our endorsement and overall election efforts. You can email me at chair@contracostadems.com.

I also hope you are enjoying this edition of our DPCCC newsletter. Please let our Communications Committee know what you think by emailing its Chair, Jan Bell, at commsdir@contracostadems.com. 
 
Best wishes,

Katie Ricklefs
Chair, Democratic Party of Contra Costa County

AUGUST MEETING REPORT

The DPCCC’s August 18 Membership Meeting featured a presentation by Planned Parenthood Northern California (PPNC) President and CEO Gilda Gonzales and Director of Public Affairs Margaret Martinez Franks. 

Gonzales and Martinez Franks discussed Reproductive Freedom: Meeting the Moment at the Ballot Box. This issue has become even more of a priority for DPCCC members in the wake of the Supreme Court’s recent decision to end the federal right to abortion. 

Martinez Franks explained that California is a Reproductive Freedom State and outlined how California Planned Parenthood Affiliates are the key to fulfilling this commitment.

She introduced DPCCC members to PPNC’s operations that cover 20 California counties from Contra Costa north to the Oregon border. There are six health care centers in Contra Costa County. Overall, PPNC serves over 70,000 patients. Preventative care makes up most of the services provided by PPNC, including sexually transmitted disease screening and treatment, pregnancy testing, contraception services, and cancer screening.

Gonzales then discussed what we could expect in the wake of the Supreme Court’s decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization. “The situation will get worse before it gets better,” she said. “The only way it will get better is through positive electoral outcomes—and California needs to lead the way.”

Gonzales shared that PPNC, like abortion providers around the country, is dealing with the legal ramifications in the wake of the Supreme Court’s decision and the efforts of abortion-hostile states to criminalize efforts to help people who can become pregnant receive these vital health care services. 

DPCCC members can help with this fight right now have three significant ways. 

First, Gonzales encouraged Democrats to be “all-in on Proposition 1—it is vital for California to send a message.” Proposition 1 will enshrine abortion and birth control access in the California Constitution. Visit YesOn1CA.com to learn more.

Second, support abortion funds like Access Reproductive Justice (ARJ). There is a need not just in hostile-to-abortion states, but also here in California. As ARJ explains, “Reproductive rights are meaningless when you don’t know where to get birth control, no abortion provider accepts your insurance, you are afraid to seek prenatal care because of your immigration status, or the closest clinic is hours from your home.”

Third, she said that we all needed to elevate abortion stories to minimize abortion stigma. “There should be no shame. And this is everybody’s issue,” Gonzales emphasized. 

The DPCCC, through its Issues Committee, has made abortion a focus of the legislation we have supported this year. The DPCCC voted to support several federal bills that attempt to address what the Supreme Court ruled in its Dobbs decision and a concurring opinion by Justice Clarence Thomas. You can review these on the DPCCC’s Legislative Tracker. 

The DPCCC also adopted the updated California Democratic Party Code of Conduct. The DPCC will share it with candidates seeking the DPCCC’s endorsement. The DPCCC will also ask its chartered clubs to review the Code of Conduct and consider adopting it. 

The Elections Committee is preparing to support the candidates the DPCCC endorses at its Special Membership Meeting on September 1 at 6 p.m. via Zoom. Elections Committee Chair Chuck Carpenter noted that our school board and city council members are under attack by coordinated Republican efforts. 
 
Would you like to learn more? Under DPCCC’s file access policy, access to all non-confidential DPCCC files is available to any DPCCC member (including Associates) upon request by emailing the Secretary. You can pay your dues by clicking here!

SPECIAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING FOR ENDORSEMENTS

The Democratic Party of Contra Costa County will hold a special membership meeting on Thursday, September 1, at 6 p.m. via Zoom to consider endorsements for the November General Election.

If you are not a DPCCC member and wish to attend, please RSVP to the DPCCC Secretary at secretary@contracostadems.com. If you are a DPCCC member, you should receive an email with details for the meeting about seven days in advance. If you do not, please email the DPCCC Secretary at secretary@contracostadems.com.

IN THE NEWS

The Democratic Party of Contra Costa County’s efforts to support our local school board members during some of the more contentious meetings about public health measures and teaching accurate history over the past year were featured in a Cal Matters story about how California Republicans are betting big on local school board races in 2022. 

After hearing from some Contra Costa school board members asking for help, the DPCCC adopted two resolutions to support our School Board members. In addition to sharing the resolutions with our members and posting them on our website, DPCCC members and leadership, including Chair Katie Ricklefs, attended school board meetings to share the resolutions. 

The Republican efforts to take over school boards are happening in Contra Costa County. That’s why supporting the DPCCC’s endorsed school board candidates in the November elections will be one of our top priorities. 

TAKE ACTION

JOIN US IN THE CENTRAL VALLEY TO TALK TO VOTERS, ONE CONVERSATION AT A TIME!

There are less than three months left to reach voters and the path to the next House majority goes through California. Canvassing is the most effective way to introduce voters to Rudy Salas, help support Democrats, and get your steps in! Lodging and carpool options are available.

Knock doors every Saturday in Hanford, Kings County, through election day!
https://www.mobilize.us/cadems/event/445111

Knock doors on Fridays through Sundays, beginning on September 30 in Bakersfield, Kern County, through election day!
https://www.mobilize.us/cadems/event/494449

Don’t worry if you’ve never done this before—when you arrive at the staging location you will be trained and given all the supplies you need. And once you get going, you’ll find that talking to voters is fun and rewarding!
 
For more information on volunteering, contact Cecilia at volunteer@contracostadems.com or call 510-693-4259.

GET YOUR TICKETS NOW FOR THE DPCCC BBQ PARTY

Save the date! The DPCCC’s annual BBQ will be on September 10 from noon to 5 p.m. at the Concord Community Park (3501 Cowell Rd, Concord, CA 94518).

Early Bird Tickets are now available through August 31! We’ll enjoy music, a taco bar (our BBQ Chair will BBQ too), plenty of fun drinks, cornhole, giant Jenga, speeches, tabling from our candidates and clubs, and the opportunity to meet and speak with electeds and other activists and volunteers. Bring a friend or new member, bring your dog, wear your Democratic Party of Contra Costa County (DPCCC) shirts or hats, and come ready to have fun! 

Sponsorships are available and play a vital role in supporting the Democratic Party of Contra Costa County in recruiting and electing democrats both here and in critical or contentious races locally or across the state or country. Your sponsorship also helps support our County party infrastructure to be able to host more fun events, recognize members and support our members.

Click here to purchase a ticket or sponsorship!


RESOLUTIONS AND LEGISLATION

The DPCCC adopted the following resolutions at its August 18, 2022, meeting:
Proclamation in Support of National Hispanic Heritage Month, September 15, 2022 – October 15, 2022
 Proclamation Recognizing and Commemorating the 77th Anniversary of National Disability Employment Awareness Month, October 2022

The DPCCC voted at its August 18, 2022, meeting to take positions on the following bills currently under consideration in the United States Congress:
SUPPORT H.R. 8296 (Authored by Representative Judy Chu), the Women’s Health Protection Act of 2022, which would create a federal right for patients to receive and providers to provide abortion care, ensuring every American—regardless of where they live—can make decisions about their own lives and bodies. Click here to read the Issues Committee Application.
SUPPORT H.R. 8297 (Authored by Representative Lizzie Fletcher), the Ensuring Women’s Right to Reproductive Freedom Act, which would prohibit anyone acting under state law from interfering with a person’s ability to access out-of-state abortion services. Click here to read the Issues Committee Application.
SUPPORT H.R. 8373 (Authored by Representative Kathy Manning), the Right to Contraception Act, which would provide statutory protections for an individual’s right to access and a health care provider’s right to provide contraception and related information. Click here to read the Issues Committee Application.
SUPPORT H.R. 8404 (Authored by Representative Jerrold Nadler), the Respect for Marriage Act, which would provide statutory authority for same-sex and interracial marriages. Click here to read the Issues Committee Application.You can learn more about the Issues Committee’s process for reviewing legislation, resolutions, and proclamations by reading its submission guidelines and application for consideration. 

You can review an index of the Resolutions adopted by the DPCCC since 2022 and a Legislative Tracker of all the bills on which the DPCCC has taken a position during the 2021-22 session.

DEMOCRATS AROUND CONTRA COSTA COUNTY  

The primary focus of our District Directors during the past month has been organizing and managing our candidate endorsement process for the November 2022 election. Check back next month for more details on what is happening around the county!BIDEN/HARRIS ACCOMPLISHMENTSTo counteract the Republican negative campaign against the Biden/Harris administration, we’ve generated one slide that summarizes their long list of accomplishments under three major goals they have achieved.  You can use this information when you’re out canvassing, for talks with your friends and family members and—if you’re really brave—with moderate Republicans!

In any event, don’t give in to the Republican negative messages—defend the Biden/Harris administration’s accomplishments! Click here to see the slide:
https://contracostadems.com/biden-harris-accomplishments/.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Farm workers are marching to win the right to vote for a union free from intimidation and threats. This march is to convince Gov. Gavin Newsom to sign AB 2183, the Agricultural Labor Relations Voting Choice Act (AB 2183-Stone). The bill would give more choices to farm workers so they can vote free from intimidation. Farm workers would be able to vote in secret whenever and wherever they feel safe. 

You are invited to join the Farm Workers as they complete the final mile of their march in Sacramento on Friday, August 26 at 9 a.m. Click here for more details!

The Alameda County Democratic Party is hosting its 50th Anniversary Democratic Unity Dinner at the Oakland Airport Hilton on Saturday, September 24, at 6 p.m. Early bird tickets for $110 are available until Friday, September 2. Click here for more information and to purchase tickets. 
 
If you have an announcement you would like us to consider including in next month’s newsletter, please email commsdir@contracostadems.com. 

DPCCC EVENT CALENDAR

This calendar is for DPCCC and other Democratic Party events to which all DPCCC members are invited. To request the addition of an item to the calendar, please email secretary@contracostadems.com. Please click on the image to get more details!LET US KNOW WHAT YOU THINKDo you have any questions or feedback about this DPCCC Newsletter? We would love to hear from you! Please send your comments to commsdir@contracostadems.com. 
Copyright © 2022 secretary@contracostadems.com, All rights reserved. 

Our mailing address is: 
Democratic Party of Contra Costa County
P. O. Box 4112
Martinez, CA 94553
Add us to your address book

Proclamation in Support of National Hispanic Heritage Month, September 15, 2022 – October 15, 2022

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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.

Proclamation Recognizing and Commemorating the 77th Anniversary of National Disability Employment Awareness Month, October 2022

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DPCCC membership approved the following resolution at the August 18, 2022 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 pandemic, has worsened the employment environment for persons with disabilities despite the current shortage of workers, and sadly, inflationary pressures have only exacerbated the situation; 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, the Democratic Party of Contra Costa County recognizes and commemorates the 77th 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.