Press Releases
Berkeley, Oakland, Alameda County to Receive Recovery Zone Bonds
For Immediate Release June 12, 2009 Contact: Nicole Y. Williams (202) 225-2661 Washington, D.C. - Today, the U.S. Treasury Department announced $25 billion in bond authority available under the Recovery Zone Bonds program. Of that $25 billion, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) is pleased to announce that the Cities of Berkeley and Oakland and Alameda County will receive over $38 million in recovery zone bonds. City of Berkeley - $1,558,000 (Recovery Zone Development Bond), … Continue Reading
June 12, 2009
Barbara Lee Supports Bill to Regulate Tobacco Industry
Washington, D.C. - Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) voted to protect our kids and families from the harmful effects of tobacco and tobacco products. The Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act will grant the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) the authority to regulate the advertising, marketing and manufacturing of tobacco products - giving the FDA the tools it needs to better protect the public health. "It is long past time that we take a national approach to address … Continue Reading
June 11, 2009
Barbara Lee Encourages Constituents to Prepare for DTV Transition
For Immediate Release June 11, 2009 Contact: Nicole Y. Williams (202) 225-2661 Washington, DC - Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-9) released the following statement regarding the Digital Television (DTV) transition that will take place tomorrow, June 12, 2009. "In less than 24 hours the Digital TV transition will go into affect," said Congresswoman Lee. "If you have an analog TV set that is not connected to a paid service or do not have a built-in digital tuner you … Continue Reading
June 10, 2009
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Saddened by Shooting U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum
For Immediate Release June 10, 2009 Contact: Ricci Graham (510) 763-0370 Washington D.C. - Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-09) issued the following statement today in response to the fatal shooting that took place at the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum: "I join in condemning the tragic shooting that took place at the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum," Congresswoman Lee said. "I extend my most heart-felt condolences to the family of the museum security guard who was slain in … Continue Reading
June 08, 2009
Barbara Lee Introduces Resolution Supporting National Caribbean American HIV/AIDS Awareness Day
For Immediate Release June 8, 2009 Contact: Nicole Y. Williams (202) 225-2661 Washington, D.C. - Today in conjunction with June being National Caribbean Heritage Month, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) introduced legislation supporting the goals and ideals of National Caribbean American HIV/Awareness Day which is recognized every year on June 8th. The resolution seeks to encourage State and local governments and media organizations to publicize the importance of the day in their … Continue Reading
June 05, 2009
Barbara Lee Celebrates Caribbean American Heritage Month
For Immediate Release June 5, 2009 Contact: Nicole Y. Williams (202) 225-2661 Washington, D.C. - This month, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) joins the nation in celebrating Caribbean-American Heritage Month. Congresswoman Lee has led the effort to establish June as Caribbean-American Heritage Month. In June 2005, the House of Representatives unanimously adopted H. Con. Res. 71, authored by Congresswoman Lee, recognizing the significance of Caribbean people and their descendants in the … Continue Reading
June 03, 2009
National Black Leadership Commission on AIDS Honors Barbara Lee with Choose Life Award
For Immediate Release June 3, 2009 Contact: Nicole Y. Williams (202) 225-2661 Washington, D.C. - Tonight, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) will be honored by the National Black Leadership Commission on AIDS (NBLCA) during their 2009 Choose Life Awards Dinner and National Call to Action. "I am truly honored to receive this award," said Congresswoman Lee. "The NBLCA has been vocal in advocating for increased funding for HIV prevention, testing, treatment, and care services … Continue Reading
June 03, 2009
Barbara Lee Applauds Decision to Readmit Cuba to OAS
For Immediate Release June 3, 2009 Contact: Nicole Y. Williams (202) 225-2661 Washington, D.C. - Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) applauded the Organization of American States (OAS) on their decision to revoke a 1962 measure suspending Cuba, reversing a landmark of the Cold War in the hemisphere. While the action was taken without conditions, the agreement requires Cuba to comply with OAS conventions on human rights and other issues. "I am very pleased to see that the … Continue Reading
June 02, 2009
Barbara Lee to Receive Future Progressive Champion Award
For Immediate Release June 2, 2009 Contact Ricci Graham (510) 763-0370 Washington, D.C. - Tonight, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) will receive the Future Progressive Champion Award from the Campaign For America's Future during their annual America's Future Now Awards Dinner. "I am extremely honored and humbled to receive the Future Progressive champion Award," said Congresswoman Barbara Lee. "I look forward to working together with the Campaign for America's Future to build … Continue Reading
June 02, 2009
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Mourns the Passing of Peggy Stinnett
For Immediate Release June 2, 2009 Contact Ricci Graham (510) 763-0370 Washington D.C. - Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) today issued the following statement upon learning of the passing of prominent Oakland columnist Peggy Stinnett: "I am deeply saddened by the passing of my friend Peggy Stinnett," Congresswoman Lee said. "Peggy and I worked closely together over the years, and I always appreciated the dignified manner in which she approached her craft and her ability to capture … Continue Reading
June 02, 2009
UC Berkeley, Children's Hospital and Research Center of Oakland to Receive Funding through Recovery Package
For Immediate Release June 2, 2009 Contact Ricci Graham (510) 763-0370 Washington, D.C. - Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) announced the release of over $3 million in funding to National Institute of Health grantees in the Ninth congressional District of California. The money was made available through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Awardees include: University of California at Berkeley - $182,814: To create a mouse model to enable researchers to compare … Continue Reading
June 01, 2009
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Shocked by the Shooting of Dr. George Tiller
For Immediate Release June 1, 2009 Contact: Ricci Graham (510) 763-037 Washington D.C. - Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-09) issued the following statement today regarding the murder of Dr. George Tiller, who was gunned down while serving as an usher in a Wichita, Kansas, church on Sunday. "I am appalled by this unconscionable act of violence," Congresswoman Lee said. "I offer my deepest and most sincere condolences to the family and many friends of Dr. Tiller. My thoughts … Continue Reading
May 28, 2009
Congresswoman Barbara to Give Merritt College Commencement Address
For Immediate Release May 29, 2009 Contact Ricci Graham (510) 763-0370 Congresswoman Lee's speech is themed "Changing Lives" Oakland - Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) will deliver the commencement speech for Merritt College's graduating class of 2009. Congresswoman Lee will address the graduates on Friday, May 29, 2009 at Paramount Theater, located at 2025 Broadway, Oakland. The commencement ceremony is scheduled to begin at 5:30 p.m. Who: Congresswoman Barbara … Continue Reading
May 26, 2009
Barbara Lee Releases Statement on California Supreme Court Decision to Uphold Proposition 8
For Immediate Release May 26, 2009 Contact: Nicole Y. Williams (202) 225-2661 Washington, D.C. - Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) released this statement following the California Supreme Court's decision to uphold Proposition 8, a voter-approved ban on same-sex marriage while also validating the marriages of the 18,000 couples who wed prior to the its passage: "Today's decision by the California Supreme Court to uphold Proposition 8 is not the outcome that I had hoped for. … Continue Reading
May 20, 2009
Barbara Lee Urges Leadership to Renegotiate Panama Free Trade Agreement
For Immediate Release May 21, 2009 Contact: Nicole Y. Williams (202) 225-2661 Washington, DC - Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-9) joined 53 of her House colleagues in sending a letter to Speaker Nancy Pelosi arguing that the proposed Panama Free Trade Agreement be renegotiated. She released this statement: "The Panama Free Trade Agreement, as it currently stands, is simply a throwback to the Bush Administration's failed trade policy that has left our economy crippled and thousands of … Continue Reading
May 20, 2009
Children Hospital and Research Center to Receive Recovery Funding
For Immediate Release May 20, 2009 Contact Ricci Graham (510) 763-0370 Washington D.C. - Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) announced today that Children's Hospital and Research Center of Oakland will receive funding from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) for a biomedical research project. Children's Hospital and Research Center will receive $240,000 from HHS to fund a proposal to test a new genetically-influenced mechanism that can contribute to inter-individual … Continue Reading
May 20, 2009
Barbara Lee Votes to Send Credit Card Bill of Rights to President Obama's Desk
For Immediate Release May 20, 2009 Contact: Nicole Y. Williams (202) 225-2661 Washington, D.C. - Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) voted to bring common sense reform and consumer protections to the credit card industry. The legislation, passed with an overwhelming bipartisan majority of 361- 64, will now go on to President Obama's desk to be signed into law. The Credit Cardholders' Bill of Rights will end the unfair practices of the credit card industry and protect consumers from the … Continue Reading
May 20, 2009
Congresswoman Barbara Lee to Host American Recovery and Reinvestment Act Panel Discussion
For Immediate Release May 20, 2009 Contact Ricci Graham (510) 763-0370 Economic Recovery event to assist non-profit and faith-based organizations Oakland - Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-09) - in cooperation with the East Bay Community Foundation - will host the third in a series of events designed to ensure that communities throughout the 9th Congressional District gain access to funding being made available through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) - or Stimulus Bill. A … Continue Reading
May 19, 2009
Barbara Lee Supports State Department Authorization
For Immediate Release May 20, 2009 Contact: Nicole Y. Williams (202) 225-2661 Washington, D.C. - Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) released this statement following the House Committee on Foreign Affairs hearing on the authorization appropriations for the Department of State and the Peace Corps for fiscal years 2010 and 2011 (H.R. 2410). Congresswoman Lee was able to have a number of provisions included in the legislation including her bill, the Shirley A. Chisholm United … Continue Reading
May 19, 2009
Barbara Lee Leads Discussion on the Critical Issues Facing Haiti
For Immediate Release May 19, 2009 Contact: Nicole Y. Williams (202) 225-2661 Washington, D.C. - Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) joined a number of her House colleagues and the Pan American Development Foundation (PADF) in a discussion on critical issues facing Haiti. Guest speakers included Jose Miguel Insulza, Secretary General of the Organization of American States, and Jimmy Jean-Louis, actor on the NBC hit series Heroes who serves as a Goodwill Ambassador for Haiti's Children … Continue Reading