3435 Wilshire Boulevard
Suite 320
Los Angeles, CA 90010-1904


ANGELES CHAPTER
(213) 387-4287 phone
(213) 387-5383 fax
angeles.sierraclub.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Susana M. Reyes
(818) 254-5427

HUIZAR GAINS SIERRA CLUB ENDORSEMENT
IN CITY COUNCIL RACE

Citing Jose Huizar's strong environmental record as president of the board of the Los Angeles Unified School District, the Sierra Club today threw its support behind Huizar in the race for Los Angeles City Council District 14.

"Mr. Huizar will be a strong and energetic councilmember. We are eager to work with him on environmental issues in his district and in the city, as a whole. We need environmental leaders on the City Council, and Jose Huizar has demonstrated that he can work with diverse groups, including environmental groups like the Sierra Club," said Susana Reyes, chair of Sierra Club's local political committee.

The Sierra Club is one of the most highly coveted environmental endorsements in local elections. Its Angeles Chapter has 58,000 members spanning the Los Angeles and Orange counties, making it the largest chapter in the nation. Members of the grassroots organization provide strong volunteer support to endorsed candidates' campaigns.

"With Antonio Villaraigosa now in the Mayor's office, the new 14th district councilmember will have big shoes to fill," said Martin Schlageter, a Sierra Club activist and resident of Eagle Rock. "Jose Huizar can do it. He has impressed us with his understanding of the connection between neighborhood needs and larger environmental challenges."

The Sierra Club vigorously supported Antonio Villaraigosa in his 2001 bid for Mayor, his 2002 election to the Council, and then in his election as mayor.

While on the school board, Jose Huizar's actions in support of the environment included:

  • calling for sustainability criteria to be applied in the construction of schools;
  • working to increase green space on school grounds and to allow after-hours access to the community to help address the dire need for park space in his district;
  • supporting the purchase of cleaner, alternative-fuel school buses to protect children from the hazards of diesel exhaust.

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