Press Releases

(SACRAMENTO) – The State Assembly today sent lifesaving legislation to the desk of Governor Jerry Brown. Assembly Bill 1719 by Assemblymember Freddie Rodriguez (D-Pomona) would require high school districts to teach CPR instruction if they require a course in health education for graduation.

According to the American Heart Association, nearly 326,000 people experience cardiac arrest outside the hospital each year, and sadly, only 10 percent survive. Effective bystander CPR provided immediately after sudden cardiac arrest can double or triple a victim’s chance of survival.

(SACRAMENTO)- Assemblymember Freddie Rodriguez (D-Pomona) released the following statement celebrating the grand opening of the QVC West Coast Distribution Center in Ontario. The facility is expected to bring 1,000 jobs to the city by 2020.

“I am thrilled to welcome QVC to Ontario! The Inland Empire is a great place to do business and we have a thriving workforce ready and willing to fill the jobs QVC is bringing to our community.

(SACRAMENTO)- Assemblymember Freddie Rodriguez (D-Pomona) released the following statement today in response to the ongoing Sand Fire that has burned more than 37,000 acres in the Santa Clarita Valley:

“My thoughts are with the residents of the Santa Clarita Valley who have been affected by the Sand Fire and with the thousands of firefighters who are heroically working to extinguish the flames and prevent more homes from being lost. I will continue to monitor the situation and will be reaching out to the LA County Fire Department to ensure the state is doing all it can to assist local fire departments.

(SACRAMENTO)- Assemblymember Freddie Rodriguez (D-Pomona) issued the following statement after it was announced that President Obama signed legislation impacting the transfer of Ontario International Airport:

“This is a great day for the City of Ontario and especially for the residents of the Inland Empire. Last year the cities of Ontario and Los Angeles came to a historic agreement to transfer control of our airport back to Ontario. This legislation is a key step in fulfilling that agreement and I am grateful to President Obama for signing it.

(SACRAMENTO)- Assemblymember Freddie Rodriguez (D-Pomona) released the following statement today on the tragic shooting of 11 police officers and 1 civilian last night in Dallas, Texas:

“I am heartbroken and saddened over the tragic events that occurred last night in Dallas. Officers were deliberately targeted because they were doing their job to serve and protect the public. Tragically, five of them will not be going home to their families.

(SACRAMENTO)- United States Navy Veteran and Montclair resident Donald Vodvarka was honored as the Veteran of the Year for the 52nd Assembly District by Assemblymember Freddie Rodriguez (D-Pomona). Vodvarka served as a Petty Officer First Class during World War II.

“Donald courageously served our country in World War II and continued to serve our community in his post-military career as a volunteer firefighter and police officer,” said Rodriguez. “It is truly an honor to be able to recognize his service and name him our Veteran of the Year.”

(SACRAMENTO)- Assemblymember Freddie Rodriguez (D-Pomona), Chair of the Joint Legislative Audit Committee, released the following statement regarding the Department of Health Care Services’ lack of data on prescribing psychotropic drugs to foster kids:

“I am appalled that inaction by the Department of Health Care Services has delayed the results of an audit examining the alleged over-prescribing of mind-altering drugs to our foster youth” said Rodriguez.  “Here we are almost a year after the committee approved the audit with no results.  By not providing this information, the Department is interfering with the Legislature’s ability to exercise its oversight authority and responsibilities.”

(SACRAMENTO)- Assemblymember Freddie Rodriguez (D-Pomona) released the following statement today in response to the ongoing fire in the Angeles National Forest near Azusa:

“I am deeply grateful for the work being done by the Los Angeles County Fire Department, Arcadia Fire Department, LA County Sheriffs, and all of the agencies working together to extinguish this fire. Their efforts are nothing short of heroic.

(SACRAMENTO)- Wednesday June 22nd was the inaugural California Nonprofits Day in the State Capitol honoring the extraordinary work of non-profits across the state. Assemblymember Freddie Rodriguez (D-Pomona) honored Mercy House from Ontario, an organization that assists homeless individuals, as Nonprofit of the Year from Assembly District 52.

“Homelessness is a persistent problem in the Inland Empire and organizations like Mercy House are vital in helping homeless individuals receive the services that they need to get back on their feet,” said Rodriguez. “It is an honor to be able to recognize the outstanding work that they do for our community as our first Nonprofit of the Year!”

(ONTARIO)- Local elected officials and education leaders came together today to commemorate the creation of California’s College Promise, a landmark grant program that will help students earn college degrees. Last week, Assemblymembers Freddie Rodriguez (D-Pomona) and Patrick O’Donnell (D-Long Beach) announced that $15 million had been secured in the State Budget to fund the grant program.

“California’s College Promise is a victory for California’s students,” said Rodriguez. “Regional College Promise Programs like Ontario-Montclair Promise Scholars give students the support  and opportunities they need to achieve their dreams. The state’s investment will enable these types of programs to spread across the state and help more students succeed.”