My October 2017 constituent update included an essay on the importance of healthcare stories and a few event updates. You can read I Want To Hear Your Healthcare Storieshere. Below are some event photos.
AzPHA Conference on the Opioid Epidemic
The September Arizona Public Health Association conference on the opioid crisis was a real eye-opener. As a public health advocate, tackling the opioid crisis has been one of my top priorities since I began running for office. For the latest Arizona information, check out these slides presented by Arizona Department of Health Services. In the above photo, I am with former Legislator Debbie McCune-Davis, AzPHA Executive Director and former ADHS Director Will Humble, and Dr. Daniel Derksen from the UA College of Public Health. Watch for opioid epidemic legislation from the Governor and from the House Democratic Caucus in 2018. I plan to reintroduce the 911 Good Samaratan bill which will save lives of people during an overdose situation.
NAACP Gala Featured Rep. Bolding
Rep. Reginold Bolding (far right in the above photo) was the keynote speaker at the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People’s (NAACP) annual gala in Tucson in October. We were surprised and honored to be seated at the front table with Rep. Bolding and Arizona NAACP President Charles R. Fanniel and his wife Lucille (above) and local NAACP President Doris J. Snowden and her husband (not pictured).My seat mate Dr. Randy Friese and his wife Susan were also there. Here are Jim and I with the Frieses.
Labor Activist Dolores Huerta Honored
It was a delight and an honor to chat with United Farm Workers organizer and labor icon Dolores Huerta at a recent event in her honor. Congressman Raul Grijalva organized the reception before the screening of Dolores at The Loft Cinema, in LD9. When I learned Spanish in the 1960s, I learned about Cesar Chavez, the struggle of the farm workers, and the boycotts, but Dolores’ role was left out of the story. Now, we have the opportunity to learn about her and from her.
Pride on Parade
The Turquoise Queen rides again. Jim and I had a great time at Pride on Parade again this year. My daughter was generous enough to lend her turquoise truck for the parade. (The belt around my waist kept me from falling over as we drove down 4th Ave.)
Equal Means Equal
Local organizers from the National Organization for Women (NOW) hosted the movieEqual Means Equal in October at The Loft Cinema, in LD9. What an eye-opener that movie was. If you don’t think women in the US need the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA), watch that movie! I was honored to serve as part of a panel discussion after the movie.All three of LD9’s Legislators served on the Equal Means Equal panel. Here I am with Dr. Randy Friese and Senator Steve Farley.
Storytellers Celebrate the Moon Festival
Across Asia, the Autumn Moon Festival is celebrated. I have delighted in attending local Moon Festival parties, and I love Moon Cakes. This year, Jim and I had the honor of attending a Moon Festival storytelling event at the Tucson Chinese Cultural Center, in LD9. With the theme “Where Are You From?”, some storytellers (above) talked about growing up Asian-American, while others told harrowing immigration stories. The evening was both enlightening and entertaining.
What a beautiful facility the Chinese Cultural Center is.
One thought on “Oct 2017 LD9 Constituent Update: News & Events”
Comments are closed.