10 | February | 2013

Statement from Assemblymember Cheryl R. Brown on Celebrating Black History Month

Preceding the statement from the Assembly Woman’s office we would like to include the flowing:

Dr. Harold L. Cebrun-RUSD Superintendent

Barbara A. McGee-City Clerk for Rialto and African American to hold elected office the longest in San Bernardino County

Statement from Assemblymember Cheryl R. Brown on Celebrating Black History Month

SACRAMENTO – Assemblymember Cheryl R. Brown released the following statement today in honor of Black History Month:

“This month, I join my fellow Americans in celebrating Black History Month. When I think of Black History Month, I am reminded of the countless African American heroes that have made a powerful difference in our world including Martin Luther King, Jr., Booker T. Washington, W.E.B. Du Bois, Bridget “Biddy” Mason, Ida B. Wells Barnett, and Rosa Parks, to name a few. I also celebrate our everyday heroes in the 47th District who have made a positive impact in our communities, those who have passed on and those who are still with us. I am honored to celebrate African American history and I respectfully salute those who came before us and those who are working in the trenches today.

Please help me celebrate some local historic heroes of today:

Lois Carson, San Bernardino Community College Board’s first African American trustee

Dorothy Grant, community activist

Acquanetta Warren, Fontana’s first African American mayor and city councilmember

Deborah Robertson, Rialto’s first African American mayor

Wilmer Amina Carter, the Inland Empire’s first African American Assemblymember

John Woods, San Bernardino’s first African American school board member

Carl Clemons, first African American to be appointed to the San Bernardino Planning Commission

Faye Coates, former official songstress for the City of Rialto

Hattie Inge, founder of the Rialto Black History Month Committee

Draymond Crawford, banker

Jack Hill, businessman

Dr. Willie Roberts, educator

Calvin Pierce, first African American Marshal

Saluting the memory of those who have passed on:

Dr. Dorothy Ingraham, educator

Dr. Howard Ingraham, first African American physician

Jessie Turner, community activist

Charles Redd, educator

Ted Davis, Fontana NAACP president

Sam Martin, first African American elected to the Democratic Central Committee and pioneer publisher

Harry Rheubottom, first African American to have a radio program

Norris Gregory, San Bernardino’s first African American city councilmember

Art Townsend, publisher and community activist

Frank Tillie, mortician

Charlie Seymour, youth and senior citizen advocate

Rufford Johnson, first African American attorney

J.D. Greenwood, CEO of Greenwood Bail Bonds

Valarie Pope Ludlam, champion of the poor

Rev. F.R. Williams, St. Mark Missionary Baptist Church

Bill Porter, Buffalo Soldier

Mary McKinney, champion of the poor

Joe Sampson, Rialto’s first African American city councilmember

P.K. Blakely, Golden State Insurance manager

Rev. David Campbell, New Hope Missionary Baptist Church

Norman Wilson, contractor

Anne Shirrells, youth advocate

This is by no means a definitive list of heroes in our district. I invite you to send in your heroes so we may remember them as well.”

Assemblymember Cheryl R. Brown represents the 47th Assembly District, which includes Colton, Fontana, Grand Terrace, Rialto, San Bernardino, and the unincorporated communities of Bloomington and Muscoy.

Website of Assemblymember Cheryl R. Brown: http://www.asmdc.org/members/a47/

Assemblymember Cheryl R. Brown Voices Small Business Concerns during JEDE Committee Hearing

Assemblymember Cheryl R. Brown Voices Small Business Concerns during JEDE Committee Hearing

Assemblymember Cheryl R. Brown (D-San Bernardino) voices small business concerns during JEDE Committee Hearing.

SACRAMENTO – Assemblymember Cheryl R. Brown (D-San Bernardino) joined committee members for a hearing of the Jobs and Economic Development & the Economy (JEDE) Committee on Tuesday, February 5. JEDE is the policy committee in the State Assembly responsible for reviewing policies and legislation related to small business development, international trade and other economic development related issues.

The JEDE Committee includes Assemblymember Jose Medina, chair, Assemblymember Travis Allen, vice-chair, and Assemblymembers Tom Daly, Paul Fong, Steve Fox, Ben Hueso, Eric Linder, Melissa A. Melendrez, and V. Manuel Pérez. Assemblymember Ken Cooley also joined the members of the JEDE Committee for the hearing.

JEDE is currently tackling the state’s economy and unemployment figures by seeking job creation opportunities. During the hearing, Assemblymember Brown spoke about the importance of supporting small businesses and jobs in the Inland Empire and she indicated there are impediments to businesses.

“I’m glad I had the opportunity to voice concerns on behalf of the small business community in the 47^th District during the hearing. Supporting small business is so important to me because small businesses provide a majority of jobs in our district. Small businesses are hurting right now and many of them are closing their doors. We need to help our small businesses by updating and streamlining some of the state’s regulatory processes,” said Assemblymember Brown.

Assemblymember Brown said she plans to support the JEDE Committee as they look for ways to improve our state’s economy.

For more information, contact (909) 381-3238.

Website of Assemblymember Cheryl R. Brown:http://www.asmdc.org/members/a47/