Press Releases
Barbara Lee Supports Obama Administration Proposal for Stricter Auto Emissions and Efficiency Standards
For Immediate Release May 19, 2009 Contact: Nicole Y. Williams (202) 225-2661 Washington, DC - Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-9) applauded the Obama Administration's proposal for new fuel economy standards and the first ever greenhouse gas pollution standards for cars. The program will begin in model year 2012. By 2016 the fleet average will be 35.5 miles per gallon, which is four years earlier than the existing CAFE law requires. "The State of California has been fighting … Continue Reading
May 18, 2009
Barbara Lee Announces 111th Congress Surface Transportation Project Requests for California's Ninth Congressional District
For Immediate Release May 18, 2009 Contact: Nicole Y. Williams (202) 225-2661 Washington, D.C. - On behalf of the Ninth Congressional District of California Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-9) submitted the following requests for funding in the Surface Transportation Reauthorization Bill. Alameda-Contra Costa Transit District AC Transit service area Line NL for environmental review, preliminary engineering, and final design for corridor improvements from Oakland to San Francisco … Continue Reading
May 18, 2009
Barbara Lee Commemorates National Small Business Week
For Immediate Release May 18, 2009 Contact: Nicole Y. Williams (202) 225-2661 Washington, D.C. - May 17th -23rd is National Small Business Week. Congresswoman Barbara Lee released the following statement commemorating the week-long event. "Small businesses are the backbone of the American economy. They create 60 to 80 percent of new jobs and employ over 50 percent of the nation's workforce. As we seek to weather the current economic storm, it is important that we continue to … Continue Reading
May 18, 2009
Barbara Lee Honors High School Artists at Annual Congressional Arts Competition
For Immediate Release May 16, 2009 Contact Ricci Graham (510) 763-0370 Oakland, CA - Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) hosted the 29th annual "An Artistic Discovery" reception and awards ceremony on Saturday, May 16 2009 to honor budding high school artists from throughout the Ninth Congressional District of California. "I consider it a privilege to participate in this important ceremony to highlight the wonderful young talent we have here in my Congressional District," … Continue Reading
May 15, 2009
Barbara Lee Applauds Announcement of Rosa
For Immediate Release May 15, 2009 Contact: Nicole Y. Williams (202) 225-2661 Washington, DC - Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee released this statement following the White house announcement of Rosa "Rosie" Gumataotao Rios as the new U.S. Treasurer for the Department of Treasury: "I am so very pleased that my constituent Rosie Gumataotao Rios, who I enthusiastically supported, has been chosen to serve as our new U.S. Treasurer. "Rosie brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to this … Continue Reading
May 14, 2009
Barbara Lee Introduces Caribbean American Heritage Month Resolution
For Immediate Release May 14, 2009 Contact: Nicole Y. Williams (202) 225-2661 Washington, D.C. - Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) introduced a resolution that would recognize June as National Caribbean-American Heritage Month. "Americans of Caribbean ancestry reside in every part of the country," said Congresswoman Barbara Lee. Millions have emigrated from the Caribbean to the United States since before our nation's founding. Throughout our history, Caribbean-Americans have served … Continue Reading
May 14, 2009
Barbara Lee Opposes War Supplemental
For Immediate Release May 14, 2009 Contact: Nicole Y. Williams (202) 225-2661 Washington, D.C. - Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) voted against the Supplemental Appropriations Act to fund the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. She released this statement: "I opposed the 2001 resolution authorizing the use of force because I believed it gave President Bush and any future President an open ended blank check to wage war anywhere on the globe, starting in Afghanistan. Today, nearly eight … Continue Reading
May 12, 2009
Barbara Lee Celebrates Jewish American Heritage Month
For Immediate Release May 12, 2009 Contact: Nicole Y. Williams (202) 225-2661 Washington, D.C. - Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) released the following statement commemorating Jewish American Heritage Month which will be celebrated through the entire month of May: "Jewish American Heritage Month provides us with an opportunity to reflect on all of the diverse ways in which American Jews have enriched our culture and enhanced our way of life over the last 355 … Continue Reading
May 12, 2009
National Coalition on Black Civic Participation Honors Barbara Lee with Chairman's Circle Award
For Immediate Release May 12, 2009 Contact: Nicole Y. Williams (202) 225-2661 Washington, D.C. - Tonight, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) will receive the Chairman's Circle Award from the National Coalition on Black Civic Participation (NCBCP). "I am extremely honored to receive this award from the National Coalition on Black Civic Participation," said Congresswoman Lee. "Their tireless work to increase black civic engagement and voter participation through programs such as Black Youth … Continue Reading
May 08, 2009
Congresswoman Barbara Lee Issues Statement on the Passing of Mother Wright
For Immediate Release May 8, 2009 Contact Ricci Graham (510) 763-0370 Washington D.C. - Saddened by the passing of Mother Mary Wright, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) issued the following statement on Friday: "I am deeply saddened by the passing of my friend and community activist Mother Mary Ann Wright," Congresswoman Lee said. "Mother Wright, as she was known by the many people she has touched, was Oakland's Mother Teresa - a humanitarian who was an advocate for the poor … Continue Reading
May 08, 2009
Congresswoman Lee to Host Annual High School Arts Competition
For Immediate Release May 8, 2009 Contact Ricci Graham (510) 763-0370 Oakland - Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) will host the 29th Annual "An Artistic Discovery 2009" Reception and Awards Ceremony on Saturday, May 16, 2009 from 12 noon to 2 p.m. at the Chiodo Art Development Studio located at 1933 Peralta Street in Oakland. An Artistic Discovery is an annual Congressional art competition that recognizes emerging high school artists throughout the country. High school students from … Continue Reading
May 08, 2009
Barbara Lee Celebrates Asian Pacific American Heritage Month
For Immediate Release May 8, 2009 Contact: Nicole Y. Williams (202) 225-2661 Washington, D.C. - Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) released the following statement commemorating Asian Pacific American Heritage Month which is celebrated during the month of May: "Asian Pacific American Heritage Week was first established in 1978 through a joint congressional resolution. The first 10 days of May were chosen to coincide with two key anniversaries - the arrival in the U.S. of the first … Continue Reading
May 08, 2009
Barbara Lee Supports Mortgage Reform, Anti-Predatory Lending Legislation
For Immediate Release May 8, 2009 Contact: Nicole Y. Williams (202) 225-2661 Washington, D.C. - This week, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) joined a majority of her colleagues in voting for the Mortgage Reform and Anti-Predatory Lending Act. The comprehensive mortgage reform and anti-predatory lending legislation seeks to end the predatory and irresponsible mortgage loan practices that played a major role in the current financial and economic meltdown and prevent borrowers from … Continue Reading
May 06, 2009
Congresswoman Lee Honored by the San Francisco AIDS Foundation
For Immediate Release May 7, 2009 Contact Ricci Graham (510) 763-0370 San Francisco - Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) was honored on Thursday by the San Francisco AIDS Foundation for her tireless work in the fight against HIV/AIDS and her ongoing efforts to ensure that there is adequate care for those living with the virus in the San Francisco Bay Area. Congresswoman Lee was honored during the San Francisco AIDS Foundation's 22nd Annual Leadership Recognition Dinner at the … Continue Reading
May 05, 2009
Barbara Lee Commemorates Cinco de Mayo
For Immediate Release May 5, 2009 Contact: Nicole Y. Williams (202) 225-2661 Washington, D.C. - Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) released the following statement commemorating Cinco de Mayo: "Cinco de Mayo recognizes Mexico's remarkable defense against foreign intervention, a feat marked by great courage, sacrifice, and devotion to the right of self-determination. "The day transcends a single battle at the City of Puebla, where, many years ago, Mexican forces defeated a far more … Continue Reading
May 01, 2009
Lee, Wexler, Conyers Introduce Resolution to Establish Select Committee on National Security and Civil Liberties
For Immediate Release April 30, 2009 Contact: Nicole Y. Williams (202) 225-2661 Washington, D.C. - This week, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) along with original co-sponsors Congressman Robert Wexler (D-FL) and House Judiciary Committee Chairman John Conyers introduced a resolution calling for the establishment of a select House committee to "study and make recommendations about the effectiveness of past and present U.S. law enforcement, national security and intelligence activities and … Continue Reading
April 30, 2009
Barbara Lee Supports Hate Crimes Prevention Act
For Immediate Release April 29, 2009 Contact: Nicole Y. Williams (202) 225-2661 Washington, DC - Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee released the following statement in support of the Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act of 2009. The legislation passed the House by a vote of 249-175. "In the long history of the United States, there is much to admire and celebrate. But regrettably, there have been episodes in our history that are tragic, violent, and shameful. Among the most … Continue Reading
April 30, 2009
Barbara Lee Supports Credit Cardholder's Bill of Rights
For Immediate Release April 30, 2009 Contact: Nicole Y. Williams (202) 225-2661 Pushes for Faster Implementation of Consumer Protections by Banks, Credit Card Companies during Colloquy Washington, D.C. - Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) voted in support of the Credit Cardholder's Bill of Rights. During a discussion on the House Floor, Congresswoman Lee encouraged House Financial Services Committee Chairman Barney Frank to work to ensure that the protections in this bill go into … Continue Reading
April 29, 2009
Barbara Lee Discusses Afghanistan, Iraq at White House Meeting with President Obama and Progressive Caucus Members
For Immediate Release April 29, 2009 Contact: Nicole Y. Williams (202) 225-2661 Washington, D.C. - Yesterday, Congresswoman Barbara Lee and her Congressional Progressive Caucus (CPC) colleagues met with President Obama in a wide ranging discussion at the White House. The meeting was largely focused on discussions regarding healthcare reform and the upcoming supplemental appropriations request for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. "I was pleased to join with my colleagues of the … Continue Reading
April 28, 2009
Barbara Lee Applauds Restoration of Scientific Consultations under the Endangered Species Act
For Immediate Release April 28, 2009 Contact: Nicole Y. Williams (202) 225-2661 Washington, DC - Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee applauded Secretary of Commerce Gary Locke and Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar's announcement that the two departments are revoking an eleventh-hour Bush administration rule that undermined Endangered Species Act (ESA) protections. Their decision requires federal agencies to once again consult with federal wildlife experts at the U.S. Fish and Wildlife … Continue Reading