Mark Met with and Assisted Over 4,200 Constituents During District Work Period
Dear Contra Costa Residents:
I am proud to represent a community that is as civically engaged as Contra Costa County. Over the past two weeks, at events across our district, I have been listening to constituents who have expressed concerns about the actions taken by the Trump Administration, the gun violence epidemic plaguing our nation, ways we can actively grow our economy, and much more.
During our district work period, we met with and assisted over 4,200 constituents. Below is a report of our work across Contra Costa County over the last two weeks:
- Interacted with over 750 constituents;
- Responded to more than 3,400 constituent inquiries;
- Assisted more than 70 constituents in navigating problems with a federal agency;
- Visited nearly every community in our district, including: Antioch, Concord, Danville, El Cerrito, Lafayette, Moraga, Pittsburg, Richmond, San Pablo, and Walnut Creek;
- Hosted 3 town hall meetings with residents in Antioch, seniors in San Pablo, and high school students in Moraga;
- Attended and hosted over 45 community events, site visits, and meetings; and
- Presented over 20 Congressional awards to outstanding members of our community who are working hard to help Contra Costa thrive.
This district work period we jointly hosted a town hall in Antioch with Congressman Jerry McNerney, toured UCSF Benioff's cancer research facilities with Congresswoman Diana DeGette and spoke to San Pablo seniors about Social Security with Congressman Larson. A special thanks to all three of my colleagues for joining us in Contra Costa for these special events.
TOWN HALLS
Student Town Hall in Moraga
We discussed efforts in Congress to end gun violence with seniors at Campolindo High School in Moraga during a student town hall. The movement started by young people is helping inspire change across the country.
Antioch Town Hall
Congressman Jerry McNerney and I hosted a joint town hall in Antioch to report on our work in Congress and discuss the issues important to residents in East Contra Costa County.
Social Security Town Hall in San Pablo
Congressman John Larson of Connecticut, a tireless advocate for expanding benefits for seniors, joined us for a Social Security town hall in San Pablo. During the event, we shared how we are fighting to protect and expand Social Security benefits. The program is not an entitlement, it is insurance that Americans paid for and deserve after a lifetime work.
MARK AROUND TOWN
Tour of SFO's Air Traffic Control Tower
After a series of concerning close calls at SFO and at airports around the country, I visited SFO's air traffic control tower to see the important work that controllers do, which will inform legislation I am drafting to help prevent near miss landings.
Council of Industries Membership Luncheon
At the Council of Industries Membership Luncheon in Richmond, I shared my perspective as a former small business owner in Concord. I understand the vital role our local businesses play in our community, and I am working to help support small business owners who are key to driving our economy and ensuring we maintain a vibrant middle class.
Meeting Washington Elementary School's 2nd Graders
Visiting Dr. Ellis's 2nd graders at Washington Elementary School in Richmond was one of the highlights of the past two weeks. I enjoyed reading them a book about a great leader, Cesar Chavez, and seeing their artwork.
Visiting the RYSE Center
We visited with Richmond and West County youth at the RYSE Center who are helping replace gunshots with the sounds of organizing, song, collaboration, laughter, and learning. Their efforts are helping to inspire change in our local communities.
Tour of UCSF Benioff with Congresswoman DeGette
Congresswoman Diana DeGette, a true leader in Congress on health care, joined me at UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital to meet with researchers and doctors about the state of cancer research. UCSF's Cancer Center is the second highest recipient of National Institutes of Health (NIH) funds, and their research is helping to save lives and find cures.
Speaking with the CEO of Autodesk
I met with Autodesk CEO Andrew Anagnost, a constituent of the 11th District, to talk about Autodesk's work to digitize the way building, civil infrastructure, and construction projects are designed and built and the future of work and job training programs in this innovative and growing industry.
MARK IN THE NEWS
Wall Street Journal: Trump Shifts Focus of Transportation Grants From City to Country
"This is driven by political retribution," said Rep. Mark DeSaulnier, a Democrat of California, who argues that the Trump administration's approach would starve the most congested and economically important areas of the country of support. "It's clearly meant to benefit the Trump-supporting areas."
ABC7 News: Mark joined Larry Beil with ABC7 News in studio to discuss the Trump Administration's attack on vehicle environmental standards and the need to move forward on green technology.
ABC7 News: Mark spoke with ABC7 News about President Trump's poorly laid out plan to send additional National Guard troops to the border.
RECENT STATEMENTS
Following the announcement by the Trump Administration that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) plans to undermine Obama Administration standards on fuel efficiency to address global warming, Mark took the following actions:
DeSaulnier Calls for Boycott of Vehicle Companies that Weaken Environmental Standards:
"I am calling for a large-scale boycott by consumers, public and private users, and pension investments of any vehicle manufacturer that fails to fulfill existing California greenhouse gas and fuel efficiency standards. Having served 10 years on the California Air Resources Board (CARB), chaired both transportation committees in the state legislature, and as a current member of the U.S. House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, I have seen the impact of these laws on our health, our environment, and the safety of future generations. We need a coordinated effort to fight the Trump Administration and ensure we move forward, not backwards, on green technologies that will benefit our citizens, our economy, and the health of our planet," said Congressman DeSaulnier.
"Our current fuel economy standards are on track to reduce America's oil dependence by more than 2 million barrels a day, save $1.7 trillion in fuel costs, and effectively eliminate the impact of 59 million vehicles from the road by 2030. Rolling back these environmental standards will be devastating to our environment and our public health. In addition to a national boycott, I am calling on CalPERS, CalSTRS, and other public retirement funds, which invest billions of dollars and should be upholding social responsibility and sustainability goals when building retirement security for public employees, to divest from any car company that takes advantage of the Trump Administration's vehicle emissions roll back," said Congressman Mark DeSaulnier.