Sacramento Awaits Assembly Rookie Perea

On Christmas day my daughter came over for a visit. As she was looking at Christmas cards I placed on the mantle of my fireplace, she started laughing because one of the cards was a family picture card sent to me from my newly elected assemblyman Henry T. Perea (31st District).

She asked why I would display a card from a politician? I told her because I voted for him and felt his service on the Fresno City Council the past 8 years were exemplary. I also pointed out that I thought the photo was nice because it showed a young Hispanic family. I think she might have felt a little envy because in a way the picture reflected the youth and size of her own family.

I got to thinking about the Christmas card. Was it sent to me at taxpayer's expense? I couldn't find any official State of California seal on it. Did he pay to send out my card and the cards for his other constituents? No. In the bottom right hand corner is a very tiny logo of what looks like the Stationary Union.

Henry T Perea was first elected to the Fresno City Council in 2002 becoming the youngest councilman and filling the office held by his father Henry R. He was reelected in 2006. Henry T Perea catapulted himself to the state assembly this year after losing a close bid in 2009 to become Fresno's youngest and first Hispanic mayor.

Henry is part of a growing cadre of Hispanic leaders being elected to office throughout the nation. As a Mexican American, Henry is a Chicano trailblazer and role model for others to follow. Could he one day be the first Hispanic Governor since Pio Pico Rivera?

On 12/29/2010 I sent an email to Henry and talked with a staff member by phone requesting an interview to see how he feels about embarking on his next political journey. I also wanted some insight into how he is going to deliver jobs to the double digit unemployment region that is Fresno and the Central San Joaquin Valley. I was told he starts his term on 1/3/2011.

As of late New Years Day I have not gotten a reply back. I guess I will have to wait till it's election time again?