Lifetime Achievement Award

Last Friday my wife Joan and I attended the annual Rose Ann Vuich Award Dinner. It's the main local Democratic Party social event and fundraiser, named for California's first woman state senator, a local woman who served from 1977 to 1993. I was surprised and grateful to be awarded the Tulare County Democratic Central Committee's Lifetime Achievement Award for my service to the party. There are many others here who have done much more over a longer period of time than have I. I received the Award from Central Committee Chair Carol Clarke and was greeted by Assemblyman Henry T. Perea, the event's keynote speaker.

We moved to Visalia, county seat of Tulare County, in 1999. The area is heavily Republican and we were unaware of much Democratic activity in the area for quite some time. After a few years, we heard of a group called the Visalia Democratic Club that met monthly at the China Garden Restaurant, and that was my initial introduction in the area.

I have been on the Tulare County Democratic Central Committee since 2008, when I was appointed to fill a vacancy. I was subsequently elected to one of the five Visalia committee seats in the primary election of June, 2010 for a 2-year term. On the Central Committee I have served on the Bylaws, Grievance and Inaugural committees, served as Parliamentarian for the meetings, have emceed some community events, served on panels and have done basic precinct work. I have been a delegate at the Democratic state convention in 2009 and 2010 and will be again in 2011. I am convinced the region will sooner or later return to the Democratic majority it once enjoyed. Tulare County is now more the 50% Hispanic, and Hispanics have been supporting Democrats better then two to one. Their registration and participation proportions are quite low, though. Once they are signed up and gotten to the polls (or vote by mail) in large numbers the local Republican ascendancy will be history. It is our task to hasten that day.

Probably my biggest contribution has been my tenure as faculty advisor of the College of the Sequoias Young Democrats. That group got its impetus from the Obama fervor among young people, forming in fall of 2008 that year. We have taken several students to the California Democratic Convention each year since. This year we have eleven signed up. The students register voters, issue forums, signature and petition drives, walk and call for local candidates and fund raise for worthy causes and to go to the convention. This year, for instance, the Club made a contribution to the Red Cross for earthquake and tsunami relief in Japan. They have even scheduled a debate with the campus Republican club this year. Ten Young Dems served at the dinner, checking in guests, ushering and helping with the silent auction. Current COS Young Democrats President Victoria Chung received an award as Young Democrat of the Year.

It is a pleasure to be involved in a civic cause for the betterment of the community and to help kindle interest among the young in service to others.