Gilbert Cedillo

• Biography:

  Senator Cedillo, who ran unopposed in his 2002 election, is Chair of the Revenue and Taxation Committee and a member of the Senate standing committees on Budget; Business and Professions; Governmental Organization; Housing and Community Development; and Judiciary.

  First elected to represent the 46th Assembly District in 1998, Gilbert Cedillo has emerged as a dedicated champion for California's working poor and disenfranchised communities. Due to his successful advocacy, he has become a statewide leader for increasing and expanding access to health care; protecting the rights of working men and women; assimilating immigrants into California's social and economic fabric; and providing new economic development opportunities throughout the state and in his downtown Los Angeles District.

  During his tenure as an Assemblymember for the 46th District, Gilbert Cedillo has championed causes for justice and equality. He has authored legislation to correct a historic wrong by providing Filipino World War II veterans with State assistance; created the "Downtown Rebound" program which provided $25 million for housing opportunities in urban areas; pushed and funded the conversion of a former Catholic Cathedral into a community and regional performing arts center; protected workers’ right to organize by prohibiting the use of state money to discourage unionization; and increased enforcement against elderly abuse.

  Leading the Assembly’s legislative efforts to address the current health care crisis and the uninsured working poor, Assemblymember Cedillo expanded Medi-Cal and the Healthy Families Programs to include more children and infants. He also eliminated bureaucratic barriers by simplifying the eligibility process for applicants. In addition, $50 million in funding was disbursed for community caregivers under the “Cedillo/Alarcon” community clinic grants. These much-needed reforms have expanded access to public health programs for families.

  Gilbert Cedillo was also successful in providing state resources for the 46th District. He provided funding of an AIDS memorial in Los Angeles; and obtained seed money support for museums such as the Korean American Museum, Chinese American Museum and Japanese American Museum. He also secured conservation monies for historical landmarks such as the Italian Hall and the Breed Street Shul; capital funds for much-needed sports and recreational facilities such as the Little Tokyo Service Center Gymnasium; and monetary support for non-profit organizations such as Homeboy Industries, and the Best Buddies Program.

  On an annual basis, Senator Cedillo also sponsors Thanksgiving Turkey and Christmas Toy Giveaway drives, free community health fairs, public health program enrollment drives, and citizenship drives.

  Senator Cedillo has re-introduced legislation in 2003 that will allow immigrants to apply for a California driver's license. Since sponsoring this public safety measure during his first year in the Legislature, he has created a diverse coalition of law enforcement, business interests, insurance interests, faith-based and immigration advocates, in addition to more than 27,000 individuals.

  Gilbert Cedillo is best known for his creative and aggressive leadership of the broad-based worker/community coalition which prevented massive cut-backs in Los Angeles County Services; prohibited the dismantling of the Los Angeles County public health system; protected libraries and youth programs; and saved over 25,000 local jobs. He also played a critical role in securing federal assistance to ensure that the Los Angeles County Health Care system remained financially afloat.

  Senator Cedillo grew up in Boyle Heights and is a lifelong resident of the 22nd Senatorial District. He attended local schools, graduated from UCLA and received his law degree from the People’s College of law.

  For his lifetime commitment to social justice political empowerment and progressive causes, Gilbert Cedillo has received numerous awards. These awards include: the "Henry Fiering Union Advocacy Award" given by the Jewish Labor Committee, Western Region; the Labor Visionary Award" from the California Federation of Labor; the "Political Empowerment Award" by the Rainbow PUSH Coalition; the "2000 Legislator of the Year" from the California Primary Care Association; the "Weaving the Safety Net Award" from the Community Clinic Association of Los Angeles; "Recognition from the Public Health Institute" from the Public Health Institute; the "1999 Commitment to California's Youth Award" from Covenant House; the "Las Memorias Award" from The Wall/Las Memorias; the "Central American Resource and Education Center Gratitude Award"; and others.