Veterans

By Dennis A. Cardoza

This is a speech Assemblyman Cardoza delivered at a cadidates' forum hosted by the American Legion Post 74 (Modesto) on October 8, 2002

For the past six years, I have served proudly as your State Assemblyman in Sacramento. And though my travels often put me in our capitol city, my roots have always remained planted right here in the Central Valley.

I am a third-generation, Central Valley boy. My grandfather came to this country from the Azores Islands of Portugal in the early 1900s. He and my grandmother raised a family here and together they worked incredibly hard to build a better life for their children.

My parents were both raised to love and care for their children. They taught by example and showed my brother and me how to love, how to work, how to learn, and how to honorably serve our community. And ... as is our legacy in the Central Valley ... we learned that we must also strive to make our children's future better than our own.

I am married to my best friend, Dr. Kathie McLoughlin, and we live in Atwater with our three beautiful children ... Brittany ... Joey ... and Elaina. Kathie is a family physician who works tirelessly for her patients and does this community an amazing service.

I was first elected to the State Assembly in 1996.

During that time, I served as Chair of the Assembly Agriculture Committee ... as Chair of the Assembly Rules Committee ... and I helped found the Moderate Democratic Caucus in keeping with my common-sense, problem-solving approach to public policy-making.

I am proud to have authored the legislation that cut our Vehicle License Fees by 25 percent ... thereby saving Californians some $5 billion dollars.

I carried a tax cut for agriculture ... the so-called tractor tax cut. This bill saved farmers some $122 million dollars in sales tax exemptions for liquefied petroleum gas, farm and forestry equipment, and diesel fuel used in farming activities.

Most recently, I forced the Bay Area to comply with the same set of rules regarding auto emissions as we in the Central Valley have had for years. Indeed, I was standing right next to the governor as he signed my Smog Check II bill into law just two weeks ago.

I have been honored to be named Legislator of the Year by the University of California, the California State Sheriff's Association and the Small Business Roundtable.

But perhaps of most concern to you is my record on veterans-specific legislation. And just as I am proud of my record on education, agriculture, economic development, and a host of other issues ... I can confidently tell you that my legislative record on matters concerning veterans is solid.

I have authored three major laws that have been signed by the governor, and I have supported a host of other laws that continue to have a direct impact on veterans in California.

In 1998, I authored AB 2581, a bill that changed the vehicle exemption law, effectively waiving all vehicle registration fees for nearly all vehicles belonging to disabled veterans and Congressional Medal of Honor winners.

In 1999, I was able to get AB 193 signed into law. This legislation is one of my proudest achievements, as it established the Governor's Commission on Veterans' Homes and gave priority to locating a veterans' home in the San Joaquin Valley, as well as establishing a home that treats veterans with Alzheimer's disease.

And then in 2001, I authored AB 494, which extended the life of the Governor's Commission and reaffirmed California's commitment to build a veterans home in the San Joaquin Valley.

On top of the legislation I've authored, I have been an ardent supporter of countless other pieces of legislation ... having coauthored 25 veterans' bills since I was elected to the legislature.

And in 2001, the California State Commanders Veterans Council gave me a 100 percent score for my voting record on veterans' bills.

I have spent countless hours on the campaign trail telling voters that my past legislative history is but a prologue to the work I will do for them in Washington. And if elected, my record on veterans' affairs will continue to be a proud one.

If elected to Congress, I will work to restore retirement pay for veterans' with disabilities.

If elected to Congress, I will do all I can to ensure that our soldiers overseas are given every opportunity to have their vote count in our elections.

If elected to Congress, I will support legislation that will allow military retirees to be eligible for healthcare coverage through the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program.

If elected to Congress, I will work to improve access to medical services for veterans seeking treatment at VA outpatient clinics that have ridiculously long waiting periods.

If elected to Congress, I will support legislation that makes veterans eligible for state-financed veterans' home mortgages.

I have always been a supporter of the GI Bill ... and if elected to Congress, I will support its improvement and expansion.

And finally ... if I am elected to Congress, I will support a Constitutional Amendment banning flag burning ... as it is my staunch belief that the most recognizable symbol of our country should never be defiled.

This much I pledge -- and more.

Here ... in one of the world's most complex and growing melting pots ... in a quickly shifting world economy ... we are challenged as never before to think smarter ... work harder ... and care more for our fellow citizens in our communities.

If I am fortunate enough to go to Congress, I can commit to you that I will use every lesson learned and experienced to help the people of the Central Valley provide a better life for our children. And I will never falter on my commitment to veterans and matters that most concern them.

The men and women of the Central Valley ... veterans ... small business owners ... farmers ... are being disproportionately affected by our troubled economic times. Jobs have been lost, wages are stagnant, and recovery remains uncertain.

It is during tough times like these that a leader with vision and a solid legislative history must prove to his constituents that he is worthy of their vote.

The people of the Central Valley deserve a representative in Washington who will be an advocate and an arbiter ... not a bystander or a bureaucrat. They deserve a representative who will ask poignant questions ... and demand thorough answers.

But perhaps most importantly, the people of the Central Valley deserve and need a representative who will be effective from the first day they reach Washington. And my legislative history is proof that this is exactly what I can do and what I intend to do.

Friends, I am proud of my legislative record, and I will continue to campaign on it, as I believe it to be the best barometer of effectiveness that you can use when deciding who to vote for on November 5th.

For six years, I have served proudly, honorably and diligently in the California State Assembly as an advocate for you and your needs.

You can be sure that I will take to Washington the same vigor, the same due diligence, and the same vision to ensure that your needs will continue to be met as we navigate through these times of economic uncertainty and look ahead to a more prosperous future.

Normally, I end my speech there ... but not tonight. Tonight is different ... tonight is truly special ... for I am in the company of heroes and patriots whose efforts have helped mold our country into the very symbol of democratic freedom that it is today. And for that, I thank you.

I thank you for your service ... your patriotism ... your sacrifice ... and your bravery. The efforts you undertook while serving in active duty should never be forgotten ... and they should never be taken for granted.

As a token of my appreciation, I promise that if elected, I will make you proud in Washington, I will be your advocate, and I will be your friend.

God bless you, and God bless America.

THANK YOU.