Recent News in the 62nd District

The Legislative Black Caucus is providing scholarships to qualified students to help meet their educational expenses. Eligible candidates must be current full time student with a minimum G.P.A of 2.5. Graduating seniors may also apply with written proof of acceptance at an accredited university or college. Each scholarship awarded will be in the amount of $1,000. Candidates must also complete the scholarship application, personal statement of why they want to be selected, two letters of recommendation and a certified copy of your most recent transcripts.  Applications must be submitted to your closes Legislative Black Caucus member by March 1. For more information on how to apply, please visit the Legislative Black Caucus Website.

Dear Friends,

I want to encourage everyone to participate in the 11th Annual Blood of the Martyrs Blood Drive on Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day -- Monday, January 16. As a day of service, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day is a way to transform Dr. King's life and teachings into community service that helps empower and strengthen local communities.

LifeStream will host the annual blood drive throughout the Inland Empire at four blood banks and one community site (see below for locations). The event is a joint venture by the Diocese of San Bernardino and Life Stream, the blood bank that covers most of Riverside and San Bernardino Counties.

Blood Drive Locations:

San Bernardino Donor Center
384 W. Orange Show Road, San Bernardino

Riverside Donor Center
4006 Van Buren, Riverside

Ontario Donor Center
1959 East 4th Street, Ontario

High Desert Donor Center
11941 Hesperia Road, Hesperia

Roosevelt Williams Park
1102 E. George St., Banning

The "Blood of the Martyrs" Committee, representing eight faith-based and community-based organizations, will have volunteers at all sites from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. to welcome new and repeat donors; however, the banks will be open until 7 p.m. People who are unable to come in on the holiday may come in at any time during the month of January and indicate their intent to donate in honor of Dr. King or give the code # R-26.

For further information, call Lois Carson at (909) 885-1708 or LifeStream at (909) 885-6503. Also, please visit www.lstream.org. For questions on state legislative issues, contact my district office at (909) 820-5008.

Sincerely,

Wilmer Amina Carter
Assembly Member - District 62

Representatives of Native American tribes in California attended a presentation of ACR 72 (Alejo) on the Assembly Floor at the State Capitol. From left, Nancy Ayala, Tribal Council vice-chair, Picayune Rancheria of the Chukchansi Indians, James Ramos, chairman, San Manuel Band of Mission Indians, Mary Ann Andreas, vice-chair, Morongo Band of Mission Indians, Mark Macarro, chair of the Pechanga Band of Luiseño Indians and Assembly Member Carter.

Assembly Member Carter co-authored ACR 72 (Alejo). This measure recognizes the month of November 2011 as Native American Heritage Month, encourages Californians to participate in appropriate observances that celebrate and commemorate Native Americans, and applauds and encourages the observance of California Indian nations for their outstanding contributions to this state.

Assembly Member Carter encourages you to celebrate Native American Day on the fourth Friday of September at Cal State University, San Bernardino. Participate in a day of events, entertainment, food and education about the Native American culture.

A bill carried by Assembly Member Wilmer Amina Carter will prohibit smoking in long-term health care facilities. AB 217 will eliminate dangerous secondhand tobacco smoke exposure to protect non-smoking workers, non-facility workers and patients. The bill will also eliminate the unique fire risk due to oxygen tanks, flammable chemicals or other combustible items found in long-term health care facilities. AB 217 has passed the State Assembly and is headed to the Senate for consideration.

"Stay informed about new technologies and cost-saving measures to protect our health."

- Assembly Member Carter -

May is Clean Air Month and Assembly Member Carter encourages everyone to do their part to protect air quality.

The South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) is offering an incentive program to replace wood-burning fireplaces with natural gas logs. The cost to participate is as low as $50.

In March, the AQMD advertised a mower exchange program in San Bernardino neighborhoods More than 500 gas-emitting mowers were swapped for zero-emission cordless electric lawnmowers. Low-emission leaf blowers were exchanged for blowers that produce exhaust pollution.

Grow native plants to remove airborne toxins and release oxygen.

Drive less, use public transportation, ride a bike, carpool.

Use energy efficient products, recycle. 

Use green cleaners.

Use reel or electric lawn mowers.

Maintain heating and air conditioning units.

Avoid using oil-based paints, solvents or varnishes, which contribute to ground level ozone.

Air pollution causes asthma, chronic bronchitis and emphysema, hospitalization for heart or lung disease, and premature death.

Wood smoke contains gases and tiny particles that lodge in your lungs Use energy efficient products, recycle.

(Sacramento) – In his annual State of the State address to a joint session of the State Legislature California Governor Jerry Brown presented lawmakers with details of the state's economic troubles and what needs to be done to move California forward. Assemblymember Wilmer Amina Carter (D-Rialto) says the Governor showed his understanding of California and delivered an honest budget proposal that includes many difficult and painful choices. Here's more from Assemblymember Carter in this Assembly Access video.