Alan Clendenin

Good Evening Democrats!

 

Let me start off by saying, Wow what a speech from our President last week. The Party of NO was on full display for all to see. There isn’t much I can ad to this discussion except, do not allow the Republican lies and misrepresentation to go unchallenged. Even the most inaccurate statements if left unchallenged assume an air of truth.

 

The truth is, status quo is not an option!

 

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On July 25, 2009 the Select Committee on Rules and the Rules Committee met in Orlando. The Committee continues to work through proposed procedural and editorial changes to our FDP Charter and By-laws. 99% of the work is painfully boring, however there is one issue that would have a tremendous impact on many of our County Executive Committees, including Hillsborough. There is growing support to standardize DEC office terms to 4 years.

 

After consulting with our DEC Chair I have aggressively opposed this move. Unfortunately the majority of the Select Committee and the full Rules Committee (I sit on both) believe the party should take away local control. This issue now moves on to the Central Committee where we will have another opportunity to speak against it. Our next meeting is Saturday, September 19th in Orlando.

 

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On August 29th the Change Commission met in St. Louis. To refresh your memory, The Democratic Change Commission was established last year at the Convention to recommend changes to the Party’s 2012 presidential nominating process. There are three issues the Commission addressing:

 

1) Changing the window of time during which primaries and caucuses may be held

2) Reducing the number of superdelegates and

3) Improving the caucus system.

 

The Commission must issue its report and recommendations to the DNC Rules and Bylaws Committee no later than January 1, 2010.

 

The FDP Executive Committee met twice prior to the August 29^th meeting to discuss a Florida position. We decided to forgo a verbal presentation but we did submit a written position on one of the three issues germane to the Commission, ‘Changing the window of time during which primaries and caucuses may be held’. There is a lot of energy surrounding reform, but the issues are complex and many are covered by individual state law. The Change Commission has their hands full!

 

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I attended my 2^nd Democratic National Committee meeting this week. Twice a year the DNC meets in general session to conduct business. The first organizational meeting was the day after the Presidential Inauguration in Washington DC. This week we met in Austin Texas. Ok I know a few of you are thinking, “DNC in Austin Texas” I know you are thinking that because when I first received the meeting notice that was my first thought. But Austin it was and for a very good reason.

 

One of the first issues I was asked about after my election to the DNC was Governor Kaine’s commitment to the 50 state strategy. Well I can tell you he is committed to taking striking straight at the heart of Republicans by competing aggressively in Texas. After all Texas is the state of Lyndon B. Johnson, Ann W. Richards, Lloyd Benson and Sam Rayburn. The Texas Democratic Party is better organized than ever. Don’t be surprised to see Democratic attention in the Lone Star State. My opinion and best guess, Dallas would be a great choice for the 2012 convention!

 

Governor Kaine nominated the following individuals for election as DNC at-large, Executive Committee and Standing Committee members. The DNC voted approve his nominations. Florida gained two members to the national committee. Carmen Torres and Stephen Bittel.

 

I met Carmen for the first time in Austin and I am so happy she is going to be a member of our committee. Many of you may already know Carmen from the Presidential primary. She is from the Orlando area and was instrumental in Hispanic and Caribbean outreach for the Obama campaign. She is active in the statewide Hispanic Caucus and is looking to expand Hispanic outreach efforts. In addition to her appointment as an at-large DNC member, Carmen will step right into the highest levels of leadership as a member of the DNC Executive Committee. The Governor only made 11 appointments to the Executive Committee (the other positions are filled by officers and caucus leadership). Carmen’s appointment is good for Florida and our Hispanic community.

 

Florida is well represented on every level of the party hierarchy. Andy Tobias as our National Treasurer, Debbie Wasserman-Schultz on the Credentials Committee, Rhett Bullard on the Resolutions Committee, and Stephen Bittel on the Rules and By-Laws Committee.

 

The DNC Southern Caucus elected our new caucus leadership and our very own Mitch Ceasar (FL) was re-elected to the Executive Committee.

 

AT LARGE MEMBERS

 

— Females —

Virginia Barnes …………………………… MA

Willie Barrow ………………………………….IL

Jan Bauer…………………………………….. IA

Joyce Brayboy………………………………NC

Anna Burger ………………………………… PA

Laphonza Butler ………………………….. MD

Barbra Casbar Siperstein………………. NJ

Brenda Council……………………………..NE

Joanne Dowdell…………………………….NH

Maria Elena Durazo ……………………..CA

Maria Eschaveste………………………….CA

Cecilia Fire Thunder………………………SD

Amanda Green…………………………….. PA

Sharon Gomez-Bonner ………………… CO

Janice Griffin ………………………………. MD

Adelita Grijalva …………………………….. AZ

Alexis Herman……………………………… VA

Denise Johnson …………………………… TX

Grindly Johnson …………………………… VA

Elaine Kamarck ………………………….. MA

Sarah Kovner ……………………………….NY

Sunita Leeds ………………………………..DC

Belkis (Bel) Leong-Hong ………………. MD

Minyon Moore ………………………………DC

Blanca O’Leary……………………………. CO

Carol Pensky………………………………. MD

Gail Rasmussen………………………….. OR

Linda Johnson Rice…………………………IL

Leila Sahar …………………………………. WI

Marianne Spraggins ……………………..NY

Susan Swecker …………………………… VA

Carmen Torres ………………………………FL

Patricia Torres-Ray ……………………… MN

Christine Trujillo …………………………. NM

Lupe Valdez ………………………………… TX

Randi Weingarten …………………………NY

Sheryl Williams-Stapleton …………….. NM

 

—Males —

Dennis Archer ……………………………… MI

Terry Bean ………………………………….OR

Jeff Berman………………………………….DC

Stephen Bittel ……………………………….FL

James Clayborne…………………………… IL

Larry Cohen …………………………………DC

Steven Crane ………………………………. IN

Ralph Dawson……………………………… NY

Jeff Forbes…………………………………..DC

Donald L. Fowler …………………………. SC

Earl Fowlkes ………………………………. PA

John Gage …………………………………. MD

Jay Goyal ……………………………………OH

Dan Halpern ………………………………..GA

Kamil Hasan ……………………………….. CA

William Howard……………………………..NJ

Harold Ickes ………………………………..DC

Lester Jackson …………………………….GA

Matt Johnson ………………………………. CA

Alfonso Lopez …………………………….. VA

Andres Lopez ……………………………… PR

Evan Low ……………………………………. CA

Kerman Maddox ………………………….. CA

Jose Melara ………………………………… CT

Gerald McEntee…………………………… PA

Matt Nugen …………………………………DC

Dave Pollack ………………………………. NY

Steve Powell …………………………………. IL

Andres Ramirez …………………………… NV

James Roosevelt,Jr. …………………….MA

Lee Saunders……………………………….CA

Michael R. Steed ………………………… MD

John Sweeney ……………………………. MD

Ed Turlington………………………………..NC

Dennis Van Roekel ……………………….DC

Rick Wade……………………………………DC

Brian Wahby ……………………………… MO

James J. Zogby ……………………………DC

 

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE AT-LARGE MEMBERS

 

— Females —

Doris Crouse-Mays ………………………. VA

Cecilia Fire Thunder………………………SD

Sunita Leeds ………………………………..DC

Heather Mizeur……………………………. MD

Minyon Moore ………………………………DC

Carmen Torres ………………………………FL

 

—Males —

Ben Jeffers……………………………………LA

Emil Jones ……………………………………. IL

Don Fowler………………………………….. SC

Gilberto Hinojosa …………………………. TX

Dan Halpern…………………………………GA

 

DNC STANDING COMMITTEE MEMBERS

 

DNC Budget and Finance Committee

Luchelle Stevens (Co-Chair) ……………….MN

Linda Johnson Rice …………………………..IL

Marianne Spraggins…………………………..NY

Jane Stetson…………………………………….VT

Meredith Wood Smith ………………………..OR

Kerman Maddox (Co-Chair) ………………. CA

Terry Bean ……………………………………… OR

Tonio Burgos…………………………………… NJ

Matt Johnson…………………………………… CA

Andy Tobias ……………………………………. FL

Dennis Van Roekel ………………………….. DC

 

DNC Credentials Committee

Susan Swecker (Co-Chair) …………………VA

Anna Burger……………………………………..DC

Gilda Cobb-Hunter …………………………….SC

Brenda Council …………………………………NE

Cecilia Fire Thunder…………………………..SD

Billi Gosh………………………………………….VT

Johnnie Patton ………………………………….MS

Adelita Grijalva………………………………….AZ

Rhine McLin ……………………………………..OH

Carol Pensky…………………………………….DC

Marie Prezioso ………………………………….WV

Virgie Rollins …………………………………….MI

Kathy Sullivan …………………………………..NH

Lupe Valdez……………………………………..TX

Debbie Wasserman-Schultz………………..FL

Everett Ward (Co-Chair) …………………… NC

Will Cheek………………………………………. TN

Mike Honda…………………………………….. CA

William Howard ……………………………….. NJ

Lester Jackson………………………………… GA

Frank Leone……………………………………. VA

Sam Lieberman……………………………….. NV

Alfonso Lopez …………………………………. VA

Matt Nugen …………………………………….. DC

Dave Pollack …………………………………… NY

Jason Rae………………………………………. WI

Boyd Ritchie……………………………………. TX

Joseph Smallhoover…………………………. DA

Joe Turnham…………………………………… AL

Brian Wahby …………………………………… MO

 

DNC Resolutions Committee

Maria Eschaveste (Co-Chair)………………CA

Jan Bauer………………………………………… IA

Linda Chavez-Thompson……………………TX

Grace Diaz ……………………………………….RI

Debbie Dingell…………………………………..MI

JoAnne Dowdell ………………………………..NH

Martha Fuller-Clark ……………………………NH

Jane Kidd…………………………………………GA

Sarah Kovner ……………………………………NY

Jadine Nielsen ………………………………….HI

Blanca O’Leary …………………………………CO

Sandy Opstvedt ……………………………….. IA

Christine Pelosi …………………………………CA

Patricia Waak……………………………………CO

Yolanda Wheat …………………………………MO

Jim Zogby (Co-Chair)……………………….. DC

Steven Alari…………………………………….. CA

Gus Bickford …………………………………… MA

Rhett Bullard …………………………………… FL

Earl Fowlkes …………………………………… PA

Jay Goyal ……………………………………….. OH

Anthony Graves ………………………………. CO

Ben Jeffers……………………………………… LA

Evan Low ……………………………………….. CA

Dan Parker……………………………………… IN

Andres Ramirez ………………………………. NV

Chris Redfern………………………………….. OH

Lee Saunders………………………………….. CA

Bakari Sellers ………………………………….. SC

Ed Turlington…………………………………… NC

 

DNC Rules and Bylaws Committee

Alexis Herman (Co-Chair) …………………..VA

Donna Brazile …………………………………..DC

Carol Khare Fowler ……………………………SC

Alexandra Gallardo-Rooker…………………CA

Alice Germond ………………………………….WV

Amanda Green………………………………….PA

Janice Griffin …………………………………….MD

Elaine Kamarck…………………………………MA

Sunita Leeds…………………………………….DC

Iris Martinez ……………………………………..IL

Minyon Moore …………………………………..DC

Mame Reiley …………………………………….VA

Leila Sahar……………………………………….WI

Patricia Torres-Ray ……………………………MN

Randi Weingarten ……………………………..NY

James Roosevelt, Jr. (Co-Chair) ………… MA

Dennis Archer …………………………………. MI

Jeff Berman…………………………………….. DC

Stephen Bittel………………………………….. FL

Ray Buckley ……………………………………. NH

Ralph Dawson…………………………………. NY

Wayne Holland………………………………… UT

Steve Horsford ………………………………… NV

Thomas Hynes………………………………… IL

Michael Kiernan ………………………………. IA

David McDonald………………………………. WA

Rick Stafford …………………………………… MN

Michael Steed …………………………………. MD

Keith Umemoto ……………………………….. CA

Rick Wade………………………………………. DC

 

DNC SOUTHERN CAUCUS LEADERSHIP

 

Chair…………………….Gilda Cobb-Hunter (SC)

First Vice Chair….….Lionell Spruill (VA)

Second Vice Chair…Karla Bradley (AR)

Secretary……………Lenora Soraia Rohlman (TX)

Treasurer……………David Parker (AR)

 

Executive Committee

 

Male

Mitch Ceasar (FL)

Will Cheek (TN)

 

Female

Marie Prezioso (WV)

Yvonne Davis (TX)

 

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DNC At-Large Member Nominations Brief Biographical Information

 

Dennis Archer (MI)

Mr. Archer, Chairman of the Dickinson Wright law firm, served two four-year terms as mayor of the City of Detroit from1994 to 2001 and earned national and international respect for his success in changing Detroit’s image and direction. In2000, Mayor Archer was named Public Official of the Year by Governing magazine. After graduating from Detroit College of Law in 1970, he worked as a trial lawyer and a partner in several Detroit firms, and served as Associate Professor of the Detroit College of Law and Adjunct Professor at Wayne State University Law School. He was appointed Associate Justice of the Michigan Supreme Court in1985 and elected to an eight-year term the following year. In his final year on the bench in 1990, Archer was named the most respected judge in Michigan by Michigan Lawyers Weekly. He was the first person of color elected president of the American Bar Association (2003-2004).

 

Virginia Barnes (MA)

Ms. Barnes is serving her second term as Recording-Secretary of Teamsters Local122 in Metro Boston, Massachusetts. Ms. Barnes is actively involved in the Teamsters Union. A union member for 22years, she also participates in the Teamsters National Black Caucus and she is on the Teamsters Women’s Conference Committee.

 

Willie Barrow (IL)

A life-long political and community activist, Rev. Barrow has served as Youth Director of the Church of God and was the first woman to serve as the Vice President of the Illinois Ministerial Assembly. A long time advisor to the Rev. Jesse Jackson, she has traveled the world on various civil rights missions including leading a 1990delegation to South Africa for the release of Nelson Mandela. Rev. Barrow has served as Co-Chair of the Rainbow Push Coalition and currently serves on their Board of Directors. She served as the National Deputy Campaign Manager for Rev. Jackson’s 1984 presidential campaign. Rev. Barrow was originally nominated to serve as an At-Large member by Chairman Paul Kirk in 1988.

 

Jan Bauer (IA)

Ms. Bauer has served as Chair of the Story County, Iowa, Democratic Central Committee since 1996 and was an early supporter of President Obama. She is a community organizer for Organizing for America and was Co-chair of Iowa presidential caucus organizations of Senator Tom Harkin, President Bill Clinton, Vice President Al Gore, Senator John Kerry and President Barack Obama. She was a delegate for then Sen. Barack Obama to the 2008 Democratic National Convention and for Tom Harkin to the1992 Democratic National Convention. Ms. Bauer has a B.A. and M.P.A. from Iowa State University.

 

Terry Bean (OR)

Mr. Bean is a Portland real estate broker and investor. As a gay activist and philanthropist, Mr. Bean is a founding member of Human Rights Campaign (HRC) and currently serves on their Board of Directors. He has been a long-time advocate for LGBT rights and has been involved in every presidential campaign since 1968. Mr. Bean is a graduate of the University of Oregon.

 

Jeff Berman (DC)

Mr. Berman currently serves as Counsel at Bryan Cave, a Washington, DC law firm. Prior to joining Bryan Cave, Mr. Berman served as the national delegate director for the Obama presidential campaign where he supervised compliance with state laws, petition requirements and tracked all delegates to the Democratic National Convention. Mr. Berman was an advisor to former House of Representatives Democratic Leader Dick Gephardt, serving as a senior political advisor to Leader Gephardt from1987-2004, including formal roles in his1988 and 2004 presidential campaigns. He began his career in politics in former Sen. John Glenn’s presidential campaign, subsequently serving under Chairman Glenn as counsel to the Senate Committee on Governmental Affairs. He serves on the DNC’s Democratic Change Commission. Mr. Berman received his J.D. from Harvard Law School and his B.A. from Brown University.

 

Stephen Bittel (FL)

Mr. Bittel is Chairman and founder of Terranova Corporation in Miami Beach, FL. He is a member of the Florida Bar Association, the Mortgage Banker’s Association, the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC) and the Young Presidents’ Organization. Mr. Bittel has been active in the Greater Miami Jewish Federation and previously led the Southeast U.S. Region of the United Jewish Appeal Young Leadership Cabinet. He has served as a Director of the Miami-Dade Expressway Authority and the Jackson Memorial Hospital Foundation. In addition, he serves as a Director of the Community Partnership for the Homeless and is on the Florida International University School of Business Advisory Board. He graduated from Bowdoin College and received a law degree from the University Of Miami School Of Law.

 

Sharon Gomez-Bonner (CO)

Ms. Gomez-Bonner is President of AFSCME Council 76 and Vice President of AFSCME Local 1335. She is a member of the Pueblo County (CO) Democratic Party Central Committee and is the Precinct Chair for Precinct 106. Ms. Gomez-Bonner is also a member of the Executive Council of the Colorado AFLCIO and a member of the AFSCME International Women’s Advisory Council. She has worked on a number of local, county, state and federal campaigns.

 

Joyce Brayboy (DC)

Ms. Brayboy is a Senior Vice President of the Glover Park Group specializing in government relations and strategic communications. Prior to joining the Glover Park Group, Ms. Brayboy served as Chief of Staff and Chief Legislative and Political Advisor to Cong. Melvin Watt. She graduated from Duke University with a B.A. in public policy studies in 2001 and received an M.B.A. from Johns Hopkins in2003. Ms. Brayboy was originally nominated to serve as an At-Large member by Chairman Howard Dean in2007.

 

Anna Burger (PA)

Ms. Burger is a long-time labor leader, activist, and staff member as well as apolitical strategist and campaign coordinator. She is currently the Chair of Change to Win labor coalition and International Secretary-Treasurer of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU). Prior to her election as International Secretary-Treasurer, Ms. Burger served as Executive Vice President for the Eastern Region of SEIU, assistant to the SEIU International President, and a member of the SEIU International Executive Board. Ms. Burger was originally nominated to serve as an At-Large member by Chairman Steve Grossman in 1997.

 

Laphonza Butler (MD)

Ms. Butler is Secretary-Treasurer of Service Workers United Local 2552, a joint affiliate of UNITE HERE & Service Employees International Union. Ms. Butler has worked for SEIU since her first day out of school. A hard-hitting organizer, Ms. Butler had spearheaded organizing campaigns in cities across the country. She served as organizing director for SEIU Local 1199E-DC in Baltimore. Ms. Butler was originally nominated to serve as an At-Large member by Chairman Howard Dean in 2008.

 

Barbra Casbar Siperstein (NJ)

Ms. Casbar Siperstein, President of the DNC Jersey Stonewall Democrats, first became active in the Monmouth Ocean County Transgender Group (MOTG) in the early 1990’s. When the NJ Stonewall Democratic Club started, she became an active member as well as Vice President for Legislative and Political Affairs. As a founding member of the Gender Rights Advocacy Association of New Jersey in2000, Ms. Casbar quickly became involved in the fight for transgender equality in New Jersey. She also serves as a liaison to numerous state organizations, including a Board member of the New Jersey Lesbian and Gay Coalition, and a critical member of its Domestic Partnership Task Force.

 

James Clayborne (IL)

Mr. Clayborne has served as an Illinois State Senator for the 57th District since1995. He is an attorney with Hinshaw &Culbertson in Bellsville. Before joining Hinshaw & Culbertson in 1990, his extensive public service career included a number of positions from 1988 to 1990with the St. Clair County State’s Attorney’s Office (Assistant State’s Attorney, Child Support, Misdemeanor Supervisor, Juvenile Supervisor, Felony Probation Revocation Supervisor, Felony Prosecutor), an internship with the Dade County State’s Attorney’s Office, and a judicial clerkship with the U.S. District Court, Southern District of Florida. He also served a judicial clerkship with the Legal Service of Eastern Missouri. Mr. Clayborne is the recipient of the Legislative Excellence Award from the Associated Beer Distributors of Illinois. He was awarded the RCGA Statesman Award in 2005, 2006 and again in 2007. He received a B.S. in political science from Tennessee State University and a J.D. from the University of Miami.

 

Larry Cohen (DC)

Mr. Cohen was elected President of the Communications Workers of America (CWA) in 2005. Prior to this he had served as Executive Vice President of CWA since 1998. Mr. Cohen began his union activism while an unrepresented state worker in New Jersey, where he led the successful organizing drive which eventually brought 36,000 state workers into the union. During his more than 29years with CWA, Mr. Cohen has helped lead organizing campaigns that have added more than 160,000 CWA members. Mr. Cohen was originally nominated to serve as an At-Large member by Chairman Howard Dean in 2005.

 

Brenda Council (NE)

Ms. Council was elected to the Nebraska Legislature in 2008. Ms. Council is an attorney who served as a judge with the Nebraska Commission of Industrial Relations from 2001-2005. She is a member of the boards of directors of the Boys and Girls Club of Omaha, the Charles Drew Health Center Foundation and the Latino Center of the Midlands. Ms. Council received her B.S. in secondary education form the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and her J.D. from Creighton University.

 

Steven Crane (IN)

Mr. Crane is a private venture capital investor in Indianapolis. He is a lifelong Democrat who has devoted time and resources to ensuring that Indiana Democrats are positioned to win. Mr. Crane received his B.A degree from Hanover College and his J.D. from Northwestern University School of Law.

 

Ralph Dawson (NY)

Mr. Dawson is an attorney with The International Law Firm of Fulbright and Jaworski, where he is engaged in the practice of labor and employment law and civil litigation in the firm’s New York office. Mr. Dawson in a member of the American Bar Association, the New York State Bar Association, the Association of the Bar of New York City and the Metropolitan Black Bar Association of New York. Mr. Dawson serves on the DNC’s Rules and Bylaws Committee. He received a B.A. from Yale University and a J.D. from Columbia University Law School. Mr. Dawson was originally named as an At-Large member by Chairman Howard Dean in 2005.

 

Joanne Dowdell (NH)

Ms. Dowdell is Senior Vice President, Director of Corporate Responsibility for Sentinel Investments. She directs the firm’s sustainable investing effort, focusing on corporate, social and environmental research, as well as strategy development implementation of the firm’s shareholder activism initiatives. Before joining Sentinel as a result of the acquisition of the Citizens Funds, she spent five years at Citizens where she held a similar role. Ms. Dowdell serves on the advisory committee of the Seacoast African American Cultural Center and is on the Board of Directors for the Portsmouth Black Heritage Trail and is a graduate of Howard University.

 

María Elena Durazo (CA)

Ms. Durazo is the Executive Secretary of the Los Angeles County Federation of Labor. Before leading the Federation, she served as President of UNITE-HERE, Local 11, and built the hotel workers union into one of the most active unions in Los Angeles County. Her hard work led her to become the first Latina elected to the Executive Board of HERE International Union in 1996 and in 2004 she became Executive Vice President of UNITE-HERE International. In 2003, Ms. Durazo became National Director of the Immigrant Workers’ Freedom Ride, a national mobilization campaign initiated by HERE International to address the nations immigration laws. During that time (2000-2004) she also served on the national AFL-CIO’s Immigration Committee. Ms.Durazo is a graduate of St. Mary’s College in Moraga and earned a law degree from the People’s College of Law in 1985.

 

Maria Echaveste (CA)

Ms. Echaveste is a co-founder of Nueva Vista Group, a Washington, DC-based consulting firm. She was the highest ranking Latina in the Clinton White House, where she served as Assistant to the President and Deputy Chief of Staff. She was an advisor to President Clinton on issues from education to immigration to race. In addition to her White House experience, Ms. Echaveste led the U.S. Labor Department’s anti-sweatshop campaign, which exposed the child labor practices of several U.S. corporations. Ms. Echaveste is a Hispanic Jewish woman and a former corporate lawyer. She serves as Co-Chair of the DNC Resolutions Committee. She was originally nominated to serve as an At-Large member in 2001by Chairman Terry McAuliffe.

 

Cecilia Fire Thunder (SD)

Ms. Fire Thunder has worked as a nurse, and served as tribal president of the Oglala Sioux Tribe of South Dakota from2004 until June 2006. She has been active in efforts to recover and revive use of the Lakota language. She was one of the original founders of the National Organization on Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (NOFAS). She formerly worked for Cangleska, Inc., a domestic violence shelter. Ms. Fire Thunder has been a strong fighter for women’s health and reproductive issues.

 

Jeff Forbes (DC)

Mr. Forbes, a partner at Cauthen Forbes& Williams, is a 20-year veteran of political campaigns at every level. He began his involvement in politics in 1987 in Al Gore’s1988 presidential campaign. He has worked with and coordinated more than nine different campaigns, ranging from municipal candidates to candidates for President of the United States. He was the national delegate coordinator for President Clinton’s 1996 re-election campaign. Mr. Forbes also served as Chief of Staff to Senator Max Baucus (D-MT) and has held staff positions at the Democratic National Committee, including Chief of Strategy in1999. He is a member of the DNC’s Democratic Change Commission.

 

Donald L. Fowler (SC)

Mr. Fowler currently serves as the Chairman of Fowler Communications in Columbia, SC, and as an adjunct professor of Political Science at the University of South Carolina. Mr. Fowler’s political career spans more than three decades leading to his election as Chairman of the Democratic National Committee from 1995 to 1997. Prior to that, he served as the Chief Executive Officer of the 1988 Democratic National Convention and as Chairman of the South Carolina Democratic Party from 1971 to 1980. He is a past President of the ASDC. He also co-chaired the DNC Rules and Bylaws Committee from 1985 to 1995, and still serves as a committee member. A state-elected DNC member since 1971, he was elected to continue serving on the DNC as an At-Large member when he was nominated by Chairman Joe Andrew in 2000.

 

Earl Fowlkes (PA)

Mr. Fowlkes is President and CEO of the International Federation of Black Pride, a nonprofit organization that provides support and guidance to the twenty-seven Black LGBT Prides in the United States. He also serves as Executive Director of the DC Comprehensive AIDS Resources and Education Consortium (DC Care Consortium), which provides emergency assistance to persons living with HIV/AIDS in Washington, DC. Mr. Fowlkes is a licensed social worker and has worked on HIV/AIDS and LGBT issues for over 20 years.

 

John Gage (MD)

Mr. Gage was elected National President of the American Federation of Government Employees in 2003. Mr. Gage began working for the federal government as a disability examiner for the Social Security Administration in 1974.He became involved with AFGE and served as 2nd vice president and editor of Local 1923’s newsletter. He went on to serve as Executive Vice President and President of Local 1923 and National Vice President of AFGE’s 4th District. Mr. Gage is a Trustee of the National Labor College, an accredited four-year college for union members and their families. He was originally nominated to serve as an At-Large member by Chairman Terry McAuliffe in 2003.

 

Jay Goyal (OH)

In 2006, Rep. Goyal made history when be became the first Asian-American elected to serve in the Ohio Legislature, where here presents the 73rd District and currently serves as Majority Whip. In 2005, at the age of 25, he was named the Richland County Democrat of the Year. He has served on the Board of Directors for the United Way of Richland County, the Rehabilitation Center of North Central Ohio, the North Central State University Foundation and the University and College Access Network. Rep. Goyal graduated from Northwestern University with a bachelor’s degree in industrial engineering.

 

Amanda Green (PA)

Ms. Green is Assistant General Counsel for the United Steelworkers Union. She was appointed to Allegheny County Council for District 13 on March 18, 2008.During her first nine months on County Council, she introduced legislation to audit the voting machines used in elections, and she introduced legislation to form a county-wide Human Relations Commission to enforce an ordinance to prohibit discrimination against people in employment, housing and public accommodations. Ms. Green served as a voter-protection attorney for the Democratic Party and the Obama-Biden Campaign’s Counsel for Change in 2008.She is Vice-chair of the Board of Directors for Venture Outdoors, a mentor for Strong Women Strong Girls, and a member of the Advisory Board for Friends of the Pittsburgh High School for the Creative and Performing Arts (CAPA). She is an alumnus of Duke University in Durham, NC and Northeastern Univ. School of Law in Boston, MA.

 

Janice Griffin (MD)

Ms. Griffin is President and CEO of Griffin& Associates, a government relations and political consulting firm. A veteran Democratic strategist, Ms. Griffin headed Vice President Al Gore’s political action committee. Leadership ’02, in 2001 and served as Chair of the DNC’s Women’s Leadership Forum from 1999-2000. She is a founding member of the DNC’s Women’s Vote Center and was Director of African American Outreach for the Gore/Lieberman Campaign in 2000. Ms. Griffin is a founding member and secretary of the Congressional Black Caucus Institute. She was first nominated to serve as an At-Large member by Chairman Steve Grossman in 1997, and serves on the DNC Rules and Bylaws Committee.

 

Adelita Grijalva (AZ)

Ms. Grijalva is the program manager for Pima County Teen Court, an organization that strives to empower youth and families to make effective decisions through law related education, positive peer opinion and personal and civic responsibility. She serves as the Clerk of the Governing Board of Tucson Unified School District, and is a graduate of the University of Arizona. During the 2008 Convention, Ms. Grijalva served on the Convention Credentials Committee. She serves on the DNC’s Democratic Change Commission.

 

Daniel Halpern (GA)

Mr. Halpern is President/Chief Executive Officer and founding partner of Jackmont Hospitality. Prior to his tenure with Jackmont, Mr. Halpern was a financial analyst for Holiday Inn Worldwide where he managed corporate financial projections for acquisitions, divestitures and major renovations for all company owned hotels. Mr. Halpern previously served on the board of the Tuskegee University School of Hospitality Management. He is a graduate of the School of Hotel Administration at Cornell University.

 

Kamil Hasan (CA)

Dr. Hasan is active in community and charitable activities in the Indo-American community. In the 2004 presidential election, he was instrumental in organizing the Indo-American community in support of John Kerry. Dr. Hasan worked as a Professor at Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi and at Stanford University before he founded his first software company. Dr. Hasan has been a successful entrepreneur in the high technology industry in Silicon Valley, and is now a venture capitalist. He is the founding General Partner of Hitek Venture Partners. He is also a Charter member of TiE (the most influential Indo-American high technology organization in the world), a Trustee of American-India Foundation, a trustee of the University of California, SC, and a Trustee of the India Community Center. Mr. Hasan was appointed as an At-Large member by Chairman Howard Dean in 2005.

 

Alexis Herman (VA)

Ms. Herman’s extensive political experience began during the Carter Administration when she served as the Director of the Women’s Bureau. She served as President Clinton’s Secretary of Labor from 1997 to 2001. Her accomplishments as Labor Secretary include negotiating between UPS management and Teamsters Union leaders, ultimately ending a ten-day strike. In 1980 she left government to become an entrepreneur and labor relations expert. She served as Chief of Staff for Chairman Ron Brown and was later CEO of the 1992 Democratic National Convention. In 1993 she was appointed assistant to the President and Director of the White House Public Liaison Office. Ms. Herman is Co-Chair of the DNC Rules and Bylaws Committee and serves on the DNC’s Democratic Change Commission. She was originally nominated to serve as an At-Large member by Chairman Terry McAuliffe in 2001.

 

William Howard (NJ)

Dr. Howard, pastor pf Bethany Baptist Church in Newark, NJ., has sought to apply his faith toward transforming the human condition. Dr. Howard has served on the boards of the National Urban League, The Independent Sector, and The Children’s Defense Fund. He chaired the NJ Death Penalty Study Commission, which led to the State of NJ becoming the first state to abolish the death penalty since it was reauthorized by the US Supreme Court in 1976. He is a founding member of the Newark Community Foundation and serves as Chair of the Rutgers University Board of Governors. As the elected youth leader of the Sumter County (GA) Voters League in 1961, he was engaged in the first massive voter education and registration drive in Southwest Georgia. Dr. Howard is an ordained minister in the American Baptist Churches, USA, a graduate of Morehouse and Princeton Theological Seminary.

 

Harold Ickes (DC)

Mr. Ickes is a long-time Democratic political strategist and presidential advisor. Prior to forming The Ickes & Enright Group in 1997, Mr. Ickes was Assistant to the President and Deputy White House Chief of Staff from 1994-1997. As Deputy Chief of Staff, he was responsible for managing a number of President Clinton’s substantive and policy initiatives, including the 1997 Denver Summit of the Eight, the meeting of the heads of state of eight of the world’s leading economic nations. He oversaw the President’s 1996 re-election campaign and the 1996 Democratic National Convention. Prior to serving in the White House, Mr. Ickes specialized in election and labor law. He also served acre. Jackson’s Convention Manager for the 1988 Democratic National Convention. He was also a senior advisor to the 1989Dinkins for Mayor campaign, in which he played a pivotal role in electing the first African American mayor of New York City. Mr. Ickes was first nominated to serve as a DNC At-Large member by Chairman Paul Kirk in 1988, and serves on the DNC Rules and Bylaws Committee.

 

Lester Jackson (GA)

Sen. Jackson is serving his first term in the Georgia Senate where he represents much of Savannah and northern Chatham County. Prior to his election to the state Senate, Sen. Jackson served in the Georgia House of Representations. He was selected by the Georgia Legislative Black Caucus as Legislator of the Year because of his ongoing effort to improve access to health care, support public schools and improve public safety. Sen. Jackson, a family dentist, is a U.S. Navy veteran and a life member of the NAACP.

 

Denise Johnson (TX)

Ms. Johnson has been a member of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (I.B.E.W.) and an ally of labor for15 years. Through the I.B.E.W and Local Union 716 she has held various positions in Committees and Organizations, such as Recording Secretary to the Houston Electrical Workers Minority Caucus (HEWMC), A. Philip Randolph Institute (A.P.R.I), delegate to the AFL-CIO and Job Stewart. She has also held officers positions within Local Union 716 as Chairman of the Examining Board and has assisted her Local and the AFL-CIO in assisting the Democratic Party through phone banks, construction and distribution of campaign literature and materials. Ms. Johnson was appointed as an At-Large member by Chairman Howard Dean in 2005.

 

Grindly Johnson (VA)

Ms. Johnson was appointed as the Virginia Department of Transportation’s (VDOT) Chief of Business and Employee Opportunity in 2006. Ms. Johnson’s primary responsibility is leading the agency’s Civil Rights Division. Since joining VDOT, Ms. Johnson has helped launch the Wounded Veterans Internship Program, a first-of-its-kind program giving military veterans wounded in the line of duty an opportunity to gain experience and new skills in a hands-on work environment. Most recently, Ms. Johnson initiated the agency’s first Diversity Council to expand the agency’s understanding, acceptance and value placed on diversity among its employees, programs and external partners. Ms. Johnson earned her bachelor’s degree in accounting from Norfolk State University.

 

Matthew Johnson (CA)

Mr. Johnson is a partner at Ziffren, Brittenham, Branca Fischer, Gilbert-Lurie Stiffelman, Cook, Stiffelman, Cook, Johnson Lande & Wolf LLP, which is considered to be the country’s premier entertainment law firm. Mr. Johnson is a member of the board of the MLA Partner Schools, a member of the board of Challenger’s Boys and Girls Club and a member of the Next Generation Council Board of Directors of The Motion Picture and Television Fund. Mr. Johnson is a graduate of Rutgers and the New York University School of Law.

 

Elaine C. Kamarck (MA)

Ms. Kamarck is a lecturer in Public Policy at Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government. Prior to working at Harvard, Ms. Kamarck was the Senior Policy Advisor to Vice President Al Gore. With the Vice President, she helped create the National Performance Review (NPR),a White House policy council charged with reinventing government. Before joining the Clinton Administration, she was a founder of and senior fellow at the Progressive Policy Institute, the think tank for the Democratic Leadership Council. Earlier in her career, she was a staff member at the DNC and worked on the presidential campaigns of President Carter, Vice President Mondale and later served as Bruce Babbitt’s campaign manager. Ms. Kamarck was originally nominated to serve as an At-Large member by DNC Chairman Steve Grossman in 1997, and serves on theDNC Rules and Bylaws Committee.

 

Sarah Kovner (NY)

Ms. Kovner has been actively advising nonprofit organizations and political candidates since the 1970s. Between1971 and 1975, Ms Kovner served as a founding board member of the Coalition for Free Choice, the National Women’s Political Caucus and the First Women’s Bank of New York. During the Clinton Administration, Ms. Kovner served as Special Assistant to the Secretary of Health and Human Services. She was the representative to the UN Commission on the State of Women from 1993 until 2000.

 

Sunita Leeds (DC)

Ms. Leeds was born in India and immigrated to the US at the age of 7. She and her husband Dan co-chair The Enfranchisement Foundation, that focuses on breaking the cycles of poverty and intolerance in the United States as well as on women’s issues. Ms. Leeds is on the Boards of the Maret School, NY EdPAC, the League of Education Voters of America and a member of the Executive Committee of the National Jewish Democratic Council. She served as Co-Chair of the 2008 Democratic National Convention Rules Committee. Before moving to Washington, Ms. Leeds lived in Paris where she was president of the Parent Faculty Association at Marymount School and treasurer of Kehilat Gesher the Anglo-French Jewish Congregation, which she helped found. Prior to moving to France, Ms. Leeds lead a software development team at Bell Labs. She earned a master’s degree in computer science from the University of Southern California and a bachelor of arts from Cornell University in Math.

 

Belkis (Bel) Leong-Hong (MD)

Ms. Leong-Hong is President and CEO of Knowledge Advantage, a woman-owned company that consults on all aspects of management for both corporate and government clients. Prior to her work in the private sector, Ms. Leong-Hong served as Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for C31 Planning and Resources. In June 2000, President Clinton appointed Ms. Leong-Hong to the Presidential Advisory Committee on Expanding Trade Opportunities. She is co-founder and a member of the Executive Committee of the Asian American Government Executives Network. Ms. Leong-Hong was originally nominated to serve as an At-Large member by Chairman Terry McAuliffe in 2001.

 

Alfonso Lopez (VA)

Mr. Lopez currently serves as Director of the Virginia Liaison Office in Washington, DC. In this cabinet-level position, Mr. Lopez is in charge of all federal and congressional relations for the Commonwealth of Virginia. Mr. Lopez is the highest ranking official of Latino descent in Gov. Tim Kaine’s Administration. Prior to working for Gov. Kaine, Mr. Lopez was a senior associate at Alcade & Fay, a government and public affairs consulting firm. Mr. Lopez earned his B.A. from Vassar College and graduated from Tulane University Law School. He has also done graduate level work at the University of Virginia and was a fellow of the Sorensen Institute for Political Leadership’s Political Leaders Program.

 

Andres Lopez (PR)

Mr. Lopez held high-level positions on both the finance and political arms of the Obama Presidential campaign. Mr. Lopez was a member of the OFA National Finance Committee and was also active in the political front, serving as Co-Director of President Obama’s campaign in Puerto Rico and later traveling to Florida’s I-4Corridor to campaign for Obama. In January 2009, he was a Trustee to the Presidential Inaugural Committee. Mr. Lopez is a trial lawyer with a complex litigation practice in San Juan. He graduated from Harvard College and Harvard Law School.

 

Evan Low (CA)

Mr. Low is a fifth-generation Californian and currently serves as Vice Mayor for the City of Campbell, which is located in the heart of Silicon Valley. He was elected at the age of 23 and is the first openly gay and first Asian American to hold the position. In addition to serving his community, Mr. Low works as a Senior District Representative for Assemblyman Paul Fong and has co-instructed a college leadership program focused on youth empowerment and identity. He has served as President of the Silicon Valley LGBT Democratic Club and was appointed by Gov. Howard Dean to the DNC Convention Rules Committee in 2008. Mr. Low earned his B.A. in Political Science from San Jose State University and is a graduate of the Senior Executives in Local and State Government program from Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government where he was a Bohnett Leadership Fellow.

 

Kerman Maddox (CA)

Mr. Maddox is Managing Partner for Dakota Communications, where he develops strategic planning, media and public outreach programs for corporations, academic institutions, governmental agencies, community organizations, religious institutions, political candidates, and small businesses. He has worked on numerous outreach programs to increase minority participation in enrollment, employment and contracting opportunities with governmental agencies and private businesses. Mr. Maddox formerly served as the Chairperson of the Open Access Alliance, an organization dedicated to making sure the Internet and the information highway was available, affordable and accessible to all consumers. He is a graduate of the University of Southern California’s Intergovernmental Masters Program and the Coro Foundation Public Affairs Institute.

 

Gerald McEntee (PA)

Mr. McEntee is the International President of the 1.3 million-member American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME). He has served as the union’s President since 1981 and was re-elected to a four-year term in 2004. A native of Philadelphia, he began his union career in 1958 when he organized more than 75,000 state Pennsylvania employees. He rose through the ranks and was elected as International Vice President in 1974. For his efforts to improve the lives of working families, the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights presented Mr. McEntee with its Hubert H. Humphrey Award in 2004. He was originally nominated to serve as an At-Large member by DNC Chairman ChuckManatt in 1981.

 

Jose Melara

In 1993, Mr. Melara and a co-worker at ABC Chrysler, an auto dealership in New York City, decided to organize their workplace with the UAW and after a one year struggle they became members of UAW Local 259. In 1996, Mr. Melara became a trustee on the Executive Board of Local 259 and also became a volunteer organizer for the local. Jose then became a temporary organizer for the UAW where he helped organize many workers including scores of Hispanic workers. Mr. Melara has been a member of The Labor Council for Latin American Advancement (LCLAA) since March 27, 2002. In 2006,Mr. Melara was elected to serve on the LCLAA National Executive Board Youth Task Force where he is a representative of UAW and LCLAA today. Mr. Melara is also a member of the Hartford Central Labor Council Executive Board representing Labor Council Latin American Advancement and United Auto Workers Union.

 

Minyon Moore (DC)

Ms. Moore currently heads the Dewey Square Group’s state and local affairs practice. Ms. Moore, a long-time political operative, served as Chief Operating Officer of the DNC in 2001-2002. During the Clinton Administration, she was Assistant to the President and Director of White House Political Affairs. She also has been a political advisor to President Bill Clinton, Vice President Al Gore and First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton. She was originally nominated to serve as a DNC At-Large member by Chairman Terry McAuliffe in 2002. Ms. Moore serves on the DNC’s Democratic Change Commission.

 

Matthew Nugen (DC)

Mr. Nugen is a Senior Vice President with Ogilvy Government Relations. During the Presidential primary campaign, Mr. Nugenwas the National Political Director for Obama for America. At the conclusion of the primary campaign, he was appointed by the Obama campaign to oversee all aspects of the 2008 Democratic National Convention. After the convention, Mr.Nugen became a senior political advisor to the Vice Presidential team and traveled extensively with Sen. Biden for the remainder of the campaign. Before joining OFA, Mr. Nugen served as Deputy Executive Director of the Democratic National Committee and as Director of the Office of the Chairman. Mr. Nugen is a graduate of the University of Missouri (Columbia).

 

Blanca O’Leary (CO)

Ms. O’Leary is an attorney in Aspen. She was Vice Chair of the Pitkin County(CO) Democratic Party from 2004-2008.Ms. O’Leary was President of Alpine Legal Services from 2002-2007 and currently serves on their Board. Ms. O’Leary began working for and supporting Barack Obama in 2007 and hasn’t stopped. She was an active volunteer during the campaign knocking on doors, making calls, and getting others involved. She was also a national delegate for Obama to the Democratic National Convention. With OFA she is a community organizer; who’s team has been working tirelessly for health insurance reform. She received her B.A. from the University of Texas and her J.D. from the University of Texas School of Law.

 

Carol Pensky (MD)

Ms. Pensky is a founder of the DNC’s Women’s Leadership Forum and served as its first National Chair. She was elected Treasurer of the DNC in January 1997 and served until March 1999. Following her service as Treasurer she served as one of three DNC Finance Chairs for the 2000election year. She is the recipient of the1995 Lawrence O’Brien Democratic Party Achievement Award in recognition of her tireless volunteer efforts to the Party. Ms. Pensky was originally nominated to serve as an At-Large member by Chairman Terry McAuliffe in 2001.

 

Dave Pollack (NY)

Mr. Pollack is a medical malpractice attorney in Port Washington, NY, who has represented victims of physician and hospital negligence since 1981. He is a former Co-Chair of the New York State Democratic Committee. Mr. Pollack, who received his B.A. degree from Boston University and his J.D. degree from New York Law School, has been listed in the Best Lawyers in America since 2005. He is a member of the Nassau County and Suffolk County Bar Associations, the New York State Trial Lawyers Association and the American Association for Justice. Mr. Pollack was originally nominated to serve as an At-Large member by Chairman Howard Dean in 2005.

 

Steve Powell (IL)

Mr. Powell serves an International Vice President of the United Food and Commercial Workers Union (UFCW) and Secretary-Treasurer of Local 881 of the UFCW. In 2004, he was appointed by the UFCW International President to further serve the UFCW as the special assistant for legislative and political affairs. Mr. Powell began his career in the labor movement in 1985 as a Union Representative for Local 881. In 1991, he was asked to serve the UFCW International Union in Washington as the Director of Political Affairs. He returned to Local 881 in 1995 to serve as Executive Vice President and was elected Secretary-Treasurer in 1999. Mr. Powell was originally nominated to serve as an At-Large member by Chairman Howard Dean in 2005.

 

Andres Ramirez (NV)

Mr. Ramirez is the Vice President of Hispanic Programs for NDN where he is tasked with overseeing all of NDN’s program activities concerning Hispanics, including advocacy of comprehensive immigration reform, Latin America policies, Demographics and Research, and Hispanic Electoral participation. He established himself as an experienced political organizer during Senator Harry Reid’s 1998 re-election campaign where he spearheaded a successful field program to mobilize Latino voters. Since then, he has worked in various capacities on numerous campaigns across the country. Mr. Andres also has a substantial background in legislative affairs and public policy. Throughout his political and legislative career, Mr. Andres has been consulted for his expertise on Latino issues. From working with grassroots organizations promoting public policy to working on political empowerment of Latinos, he has successfully helped improve the quality of life for Latinos across the country.

 

Gail Rasmussen (OR)

Ms. Gail Rasmussen, coordinator of the Occupational Internship Program at Eagle Point High School in southern Oregon, was elected Vice President of the Oregon Education Association in April 2005. She is the first African American to hold this position. Prior to being elected OEA Vice President, Ms. Rasmussen served as one of three OEA regional vice presidents. She formerly served as president of the Southern Oregon Uniserv Council, an organization representing teachers and education support staff in southern Oregon. She was originally nominated to serve as an At-Large member by Chairman Terry McAuliffe in 2001.

 

Linda Johnson Rice (IL)

Ms. Johnson Rice is chairman and chief executive officer of Johnson Publishing Company, Inc., the publisher of Ebony and Jet and the number one African American publishing company in the world. Ms. Johnson Rice serves on the boards of the United Negro College Fund, Kimberly-Clark Corporation, Omnicom Group, Inc, Magazine Publishers Association, and Northwestern Memorial Corporation. She is a member of The Economic Club of Chicago, the Commercial Club of Chicago and the Executive Club of Chicago.

 

James Roosevelt, Jr. (MA)

Mr. Roosevelt is President and Chief Executive Officer of Tufts Health Plan, a Massachusetts based HMO. Prior to joining Tufts Health Plan, he was Associate Commissioner for Retirement Policy of the Social Security Administration and a partner in Choate, Hall & Stewart, specializing in health care law. Mr. Roosevelt is the chief legal counsel for the Massachusetts Democratic Party. He served as a Massachusetts DNC member from 1980 to 1996. He was originally nominated to serve as a DNC At-Large member by Chairman Don Fowler in1996. Since 1995, he has Co-Chaired the DNC Rules and Bylaws Committee. He also serves on the DNC’s Democratic Change Commission.

 

Leila Sahar (WI)

Ms. Sahar is a graduate of Lawrence University in Appleton, WI, where she served on the Mock Trial team, Judicial Review Board, and Residence Life Committee. While in college, Ms. Sahar spent two summers working at the Democratic National Committee, first as an intern in the Political Department and then as an assistant to the Deputy Director of the Voting Rights Institute. She is also active in her local community volunteering for groups such as Habitat for Humanity and the Salvation Army. Ms. Sahar was a member of the Credentials Committee of the 2008 Democratic National Convention. She is currently a student at Georgetown University Law Center.

 

Lee Saunders (OH)

Mr. Saunders currently serves as the Executive Assistant to the President of AFSCME. Through his involvement with AFSCME, Mr. Saunders has overseen125,000 public employees as Administrator of AFSCME District Council37 in New York and countless other initiatives. He currently serves on the board of Progressive States Network and the Executive Committee of the Congressional Black Caucus Institute’s21st Century Committee.

 

Marianne C. Spraggins (NY)

Ms. Spraggins is President of Buy Hold America, a consulting company devoted to introducing AIC, Ltd., a minority-owned money management firm, into the U.S. institutional money management market. Prior to joining Buy Hold America, she was President and CEO of ALICIA, an asset management company. ALICIA is one of the first and oldest African American stock owned insurance companies. With over 20years of Wall Street experience, she is a frequent speaker and expert on minority entrepreneurship, domestic emerging markets, and small business capital accessibility. She was appointed by President Clinton as a Director of The Securities Investment Protection Corporation, which insures brokerage accounts against broker dealer failure. She serves on a variety of boards including Ft. Valley State College in Ft. Valley, GA, and Count-Me-In.org, the only online micro-lending organization for women. Ms. Spraggins was first nominated to serve as an At-Large member by Chairman David Wilhelm in1993.

 

Michael R. Steed (MD)

Mr. Steed is Managing Director of Paladin Capital Group, a firm that provides equity capital to small and medium sized companies. Prior to joining Paladin, he held a variety of positions with Pacific Capital Group and the Union Labor Life Insurance Group. Mr. Steed served as Executive Director of the DNC under Chairman Chuck Manatt from 1981 to1985. He currently serves on the Board of the National Democratic Institute. Mr. Steed was originally nominated to serve as an At-Large member by Chairman Terry McAuliffe in 2001and serves on the DNC Rules and Bylaws Committee.

 

Susan Swecker (VA)

Ms. Swecker has more than 25 years of experience in government relations, public relations, grassroots consulting and issues/campaign management. She is a Senior Vice President of McGuire Woods Consulting and a veteran of Democratic campaigns. Gov. Tim Kaine appointed Ms. Swecker Commissioner of the Virginia Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) in March 2006. Ms. Swecker is a graduate of Mary Baldwin College and Washington and Lee University School of Law. She has been a member of the Virginia Bar Association since 1991.

 

John J. Sweeney (MD)

In October 1995, Mr. Sweeney was elected President of the American Federation of Labor-Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO), a voluntary federation of national and international labor unions representing millions of working men and women. At the time he was elected AFL-CIO President, he was serving his fourth four-year term as president of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU), which grew from 625,000 to 1.1 million members under his leadership. An AFL-CIO Vice President since 1980, his trade union career began as a research assistant with the Ladies Garment Workers. In 1960, he joined SEIU as a contract director for New York City Local 32B. He went on to become union president and lead two citywide strikes of apartment maintenance workers. Mr. Sweeney was first nominated to serve as an At-Large member by Chairman Paul Kirk in 1988

 

Carmen Torres (FL)Ms. Torres is the secretary of the Democratic Hispanic Caucus of the Florida Democratic Party. She was a grassroots coordinator for President Obama’s campaign in central Florida and was a 2008 delegate to the Democratic National Convention.

 

Patricia Torres-Ray (MN)

Ms. Torres-Ray represents the 62ndDistrict in the Minnesota State Senate, where she serves as Majority Whip. Ms. Torres-Ray was born in Colombia and lived in Pasto where she met her husband, Jack, a student from the University of Minnesota, who had traveled to Colombia to study abroad. They were married in1987 and moved to Minnesota where she learned English, worked various jobs, and completed her education. Ms. Torres-Ray earned two degrees from the University of Minnesota: a Bachelor’s Degree in Urban Studies and a Master’s Degree in Public Affairs from the Humphrey Institute. Ms. Torres-Ray has volunteered for many nonprofit organizations that provide social services to children and families.

 

Christine Trujillo (NM)

Ms. Trujillo is President of New Mexico AFL-CIO. Ms. Trujillo previously served as Political Action and Legislative Issues Vice President of the AFT affiliate in New Mexico and led AFT’s 2000 general elections campaign. Ms. Trujillo was originally nominated to serve as an At-Large member by Chairman Howard Dean in 2005.

 

Ed Turlington (NC)

Mr. Turlington is a veteran of many campaigns. He most recently served as an adviser to Senator John Edwards and former Senator Bill Bradley’s residential campaigns. Prior to joining Senator Bradley’s campaign, Mr, Turlington served as Campaign Manager for North Carolina Governor Jim Hunt’s successful reelection campaign in 1996 and as Governor Hunt’s Chief of Staff from 1993 to 1996. Mr. Turlington also served as Chief of Staff to Lt. Governor Bob Jordan from 1987 to1989, Special Assistant/Counsel to U.S. Senator Terry Sanford from 1986-87 and Executive Director of the North Carolina Democratic Party from 1985 to 1986.

 

Lupe Valdez (TX)

Ms. Valdez was elected Sheriff of Dallas County, Texas in 2004 and is the only female Sheriff in the State of Texas. Sheriff Valdez has been in law enforcement for over 30 years at both the Federal and State levels. Sheriff Valdezput herself through college to earn a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration from what today is Southern Nazarene University. While working in law enforcement, she demonstrated her commitment to constant improvement and education by earning a Master of Arts in Criminology and Criminal Justice from the University of Texas at Arlington. Prior to entering law enforcement, Sheriff Valdez served in the United States Army, attaining the rank of captain and the position of tank commander.

 

Dennis Van Roekel (IA)

Mr. Van Roekel is the President of the National Education Association, the largest labor union in the country. He is a23-year education veteran, starting out asa high school math teacher. Mr. Van Roekel has held leadership positions at all levels of NEA. Born in LeMars, Iowa, Mr. Van Roekel got his Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Iowa before attaining a master’s degree in math education from Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff.

 

Rick Wade (DC)

Mr. Wade currently serves as the Senior Advisor to the Secretary of Commerce. Mr. Wade served as National Senior Advisor and Director for the African American Vote during the Obama for America campaign. Prior to the campaign, he served as a former executive at Palmetto GBA, a subsidiary of Blue Cross Blue Shield of South Carolina, and served on Governor Jim Hodges’ cabinet as state director of the SC Department of Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Services. A South Carolina native, Mr. Wade received a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of South Carolina as well as a Masters of Public Administration from Harvard University where he was a Kennedy Fellow.

 

Brian Wahby (MO)

As the Chairman of the St. Louis City Democratic Central Committee, Mr. Wahby has worked to increase the relevance of the party structure in St Louis primarily for federal and state elections. His efforts have lead to significant increases in both voter turn-out and Democratic performance in 2004, 2006 and the recent 2008 General Election, where turn-out was increased by15% from ‘04 and Democratic performance increased by nearly 4%. Mr. Wahby is chief operating officer of Rothschild Companies, a mid-sized real estate development and management company specializing in developing and managing unique residential and commercial property. He received his B.S. degree in public administration from the University of Missouri in St. Louis and his M.B.A. from Washington University in St. Louis.

 

Randi Weingarten (NY)

Ms. Weingarten is the President of the American Federation of Teachers. She also serves as co-chair of the NYC Municipal Labor Committee, which represents some 100 city employee unions and 300,000 workers. A lawyer by training, her career with the labor movement began in 1986 when she was Counsel to then UFT President Sandra Feldman. She was served as the union’s Assistant Secretary in 1995 and Treasurer two years later. She was elected President by the UFT Executive Board in 1998. In addition to holding her union posts, Ms. Weingarten also taught social studies and American History at a Brooklyn high school from 1991 to 1997. She was originally nominated to serve as an At-Large member by Chairman Terry McAuliffe in 2001.

 

Sheryl Williams-Stapleton (NM)Ms. Williams-Stapleton is a member of the New Mexico House of Representatives where she represents District 19. She is currently the Majority Whip in the House of Representatives. Ms. Williams-Stapleton serves on the Education, Labor and Human Resources, Printing and Supplies and Rules and Order of Business Committees.

 

James J. Zogby (DC)

Dr. Zogby is founder and president of the Arab American Institute (AAI), a Washington, DC-based organization that serves as a political and policy research arm of the Arab American community. For the past two decades, Dr. Zogby has been involved in a full range of Arab American issues, and appears frequently on television and radio. Following the signing of the Israeli-Palestinian peace accord in1993, Vice President Gore asked him to lead Builders for Peace, a private sector committee to promote U.S. business investment in the West Bank and Gaza. He has also been personally active in U.S. politics for many years and in 1995 he co-convened the National Democratic Ethnic Coordinating Committee, an umbrella organization of Party leaders of European and Mediterranean descent. Dr. Zogby was first nominated to serve as an At-Large member by Chairman David Wilhelm in 1993, and is co-chair of the DNC Resolutions Committee.

——————-

 

 

Fourteen Resolutions were presented to the full Committee for action. There was one Resolution that was both timely and moving. The following Resolution was presented after they replayed the Senator Kennedy tribute video shown at the 2008 Convention in Denver.

 

Resolution Celebrating the Life of Senator Edward M. Kennedy

WHEREAS, for the last 46 years Edward Moore Kennedy of Massachusetts has served the United States as one of the finest, most accomplished Senators in the history of our country; and

WHEREAS, Senator Kennedy devoted his entire heart and soul- in the great tradition of the Kennedy family - to public service; and

 

WHEREAS, Senator Kennedy leaves a legacy of dedication to improving the plight of ordinary Americans, the determination to empower the powerless and to end the scourge of discrimination based on race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, age, disability or economic background; and

 

WHEREAS, Senator Kennedy was elected to his first full term in 1964 and seven times since as U.S. Senator by the voters of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts; and

 

WHEREAS, Senator Kennedy and his staff left his indelible mark on the future of millions of Americans by writing more than 300 pieces of legislation made into law; and

 

WHEREAS, his work on legislation led to the creation of Head Start – ensuring pre-school children from low income families have access to nutritional meals and early education; and

 

WHEREAS, his work on legislation led to the passage of the Hart-Cellar Act – creating a more democratic immigration policy by abolishing quotas and lifting a ban on emigration from Asia; and

 

WHEREAS, his work on legislation lowered the voting age to 18 – ensuring all Americans have a voice in our Democracy; and 1

 

WHEREAS, his work on the Federal Cancer Research Program quadrupled the amount of money the federal government spent on cancer research; and

 

WHEREAS, his work strengthened the Meals on Wheels program – ensuring homebound seniors are receiving nutritional meals; and

 

WHEREAS, his work on legislation led to the creation of the Women, Infants and Children Nutrition Program (WIC) – ensuring low-income mothers are able to care for themselves and their children by offering food, nutrition counseling and health services; and

 

WHEREAS, his work on legislation led to the passage of Title IX – taking another step towards women’s equality by ensuring men’s and women’s athletics get equal funding on college campuses; and

 

WHEREAS, his work on campaign finance legislation helped empower the American voter by creating limits on contributions to political candidates and developing a public financing option; and

 

WHEREAS, his work on legislation led to the creation of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) – ensuring children with disabilities are guaranteed free and appropriate public education; and

 

WHEREAS, his work on expanding the jurisdiction of the Civil Rights Commission helped protect Americans from discrimination on the basis of disability; and

 

WHEREAS, his work on legislation to deregulate airlines reduced costs for consumers by allowing airlines to choose their own fares; and

 

WHEREAS, his work on the Refugee Act helped those most in need throughout the world by developing a U.S. policy on humanitarian assistance; and

 

WHEREAS, his work on fuel assistance protects low-income and working poor families by providing home heating fuel; and

 

WHEREAS, his work on legislation established Martin Luther King Day as a national holiday – bestowing an important honor to one of our country’s greatest civil rights leaders; and

 

WHEREAS, his work on legislation led to the creation of COBRA – ensuring workers who loose their jobs can temporarily continue their health insurance coverage while in-between jobs; and

 

WHEREAS, his work on legislation which imposed sanctions on South Africa by banning the purchase of gold, coal, iron and other commodities in protest of apartheid; and

 

WHEREAS, his work on legislation led to the creation of the Americans with Disabilities Act – protecting qualified disabled Americans against employment discrimination; and

 

WHEREAS, his work on legislation led to the adoption of the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty – halving the global nuclear arsenal; and

 

WHEREAS, his work on legislation led to the creation of the National and Community Service Trust Act – serving communities across the country by creating AmeriCorps and the Corporation for National and Community Service; and

 

WHEREAS, his work on student loan legislation helped millions of Americans obtain a higher education by allowing them to get student loans directly from the federal government; and

 

WHEREAS, his work on legislation led to the adoption of the Family and Medical Leave Act – ensuring people can take care of their families in case of emergencies or after a new birth by providing twelve weeks of unpaid leave; and

 

WHEREAS, his work on legislation led to the adoption of the Crime Act – putting 100,000 new police officers on the streets and cracking down on gang violence; and

 

WHEREAS, his work on legislation led to an increase in minimum wage in 1996 and 2007; and

 

WHEREAS, he worked to support the State Children’s Health Insurance Program which works at the state level to ensure children from low-income families have health insurance; and

 

WHEREAS, through his work to empower minorities, women and the disabled, Senator Kennedy was a champion of civil rights and equality; and

 

WHEREAS, for providing health care to millions of our nation’s children and fighting for the cause and rights of workers and organized labor, Senator Kennedy was a hero, and

 

WHEREAS, for working to improve education and educational opportunities for children and college students to fighting for the security and dignity of older Americans, Senator Kennedy was an icon; and

 

WHEREAS, for his career-long pursuit of quality, affordable health care for every American Senator Kennedy was an inspiration to millions of Americans who continue his fight; and

 

WHEREAS, by his colleagues and opponents alike, he was and will continue to be a giant; and

 

WHEREAS, to the American people, he will be remembered as one of the greatest and most accomplished legislators in American history; and to his family he will be remembered as a father, a husband, an uncle, a brother, a grandfather and a friend; and

 

WHEREAS, Senator Kennedy was adored by millions of Americans and was respected by colleagues on both sides of the aisle for his energy, his passion, his humor, his compassion, his friendship and above all his commitment to serve his country in pursuit of a more common good for every American; and

 

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED , that the Democratic National Committee recognizes the accomplishments of United States Senator Edward Moore Kennedy and mourns the loss of such an extraordinary American; and hereby resolves to honor his legacy of lifetime service to the citizens of his beloved Commonwealth of Massachusetts, the United States of America and the world.

 

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The 2009 Florida Democratic Party State Conference will be October 8-11, 2009 at the Disney Yacht & Beach Club Resort. This is great chance to get your friends, relatives or co-workers involved and the best opportunity for them to see our Florida Democratic Party and what we stand for. This will be a signature event for our candidate for Governor, Alex Sink. And since Alex is from Hillsborough County we will be seated FRONT AND CENTER at the conference!

 

Guest registrations are still available. Contact me for additional information.

 

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We are still actively recruiting Democratic candidates. The strength of our party tomorrow is dependent upon the success of our local candidates today. Look for these qualities in a potential candidate:

 

1) Community ties and involvement

 

2) Commitment to Democratic Party principles

 

3) Track record of individual accomplishments and success. Leaders in business, community organizations, or organized labor make great candidates.

 

4) The need to live in the right district that will support the election of a Democratic Candidate. The reality is some districts are just gerrymandered to make it improbable for a candidate to win.

 

5) The ability to raise money. A candidate has to have the ability to personally raise money. A potential candidate has to have a contact list that will financially assist in their election.

 

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Speaking of gerrymandering. Many of you are aware of the Fair Districts efforts in Florida (www.fairdistrictsflorida.org) and the impact this will have on our Congressional and Florida House and Senate districts. There are other redistricting issues you need to pay attention to.

 

The early battle to reclaim our city, county and state doesn’t happen on the campaign trail or voting place. Redistricting greatly impacts our ability to represent the majority. From the School Board and City Council to the County Commission and the State House and Senate we need to be familiar with the process, rules and laws. I challenge everyone to spend a little time over the next few months to familiarize or re-familiarize yourself with these terms/concepts:

 

- Reapportionment

- Redistricting

- Gerrymandering

- Contiguous territory

- Geographical division of territory

- Equal Protection

- One-person, one-vote

- Equal in population

- Identifiable group

- Fair representation

- Packing

- Fracturing

- Nearly as possible

 

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Thanks to my son www.alanclendenin.com will receive a major overhaul in the coming weeks. It should be a great tool to communicate updates and receive information.

 

In Solidarity,

 

Alan Clendenin

 

PS. Did you know you could contribute to the FDP online? Go to https://secure.fladems.com/page/contribute

Support your party!