Meeting August 27, 2015 Congressman Mark DeSaulnier

Congressman Mark DeSaulnier

Congressman Mark DeSaulnier

Being a Legislator in Congress
Thursday, August 27, 2015
Speaker: Congressman Mark DeSaulnier
6:15 Networking
6:45 Dinner ($26)
7:15 Program
Crow Canyon Country Club
711 Silver Lake Drive, Danville
Please RSVP btilford@pacbell.net


The San Ramon Valley Democratic Club is pleased to welcome Congressman Mark DeSaulnier who will speak about his eight months in Congress. Mark will give his viewpoint as Freshman in Congress, and talk about the bills he has supported for small businesses, and his next steps in Congress. What is it like to be a legislator in the House? What are the hardest things? What kind of things can be accomplished? Is nonpartisan compromise possible?

Congressman Mark DeSaulnier represents California’s 11th Congressional District in the San Francisco East Bay, including a majority of Contra Costa County. In January 2015, he was sworn in as a member of the 114th Congress. He was appointed to the serve on the (1) Committee on Education and the Workforce, and on its two subcommittee: (a) Subcommittee on Higher Education and Workforce Training and (b) Subcommittee on Workforce Protection. He was also appointed to the (2) Committee on Oversight and Government Reform with its Subcommittees (c) Subcommittee on Healthcare, Benefits, and Administrative Rules and (d) Subcommittee on Transportation and Public Assets.

Mark is a former small business owner who has been in public service for the last 25 years. During that time, DeSaulnier passed 61 bills into California law as both a California State Senator and Assembly member. Included in that portfolio is a first-in-the-nation menu labeling bill to address growing obesity. Other landmark legislation he co-authored created a new regional planning approach to solve environmental challenges that no single city can fix on its own.

In the California State Senate, DeSaulnier was Chair of the Transportation and Housing Committee where he spearheaded an investigation on issues plaguing the Bay Bridge. In the State Assembly, he received the distinction of being the first freshman in history to chair the Assembly Transportation Committee. He has experience as a Concord City Councilmember, Mayor and as a member of the County Board of Supervisors. On the Board of Supervisors Mark sponsored the Industrial Safety Ordinance and the Refinery Flare Rule for local refineries and chemical facilities, and supported women’s health program and clinics, the children and families budget, children’s report card and performance based budgeting.

Further, Mark served as a representative on the California Air and Resources Board and as a board member for the Metropolitan Transportation Commission.

Mark was born in Lowell, Massachusetts where he attended Holy Cross. He worked for the Boston juvenile court, as a warehouse worker, and as a hotel services employee. Mark has been a small business owner most of his career. Congressman DeSaulnier lives in Concord where he raised his two sons.

Please join us at 6:15 pm to talk about the latest political news or to just socialize and have fun.

Members & Invited Guests: $26
Non-members: $30 ($26 for dinner and $4 requested donation to help offset program costs)
‘Presentation only” is available if we meet our required 25 person minimum: Free ($5 requested donation)

Please email Brodie Hilp that you are coming by Monday, August 24 (we need a ‘head count’ for the dinner). Thank you for your help.

RSVP: To make certain you have a dinner, please RSVP.
Please make checks payable to Brodie Hilp, to 130 Bridgeside Circle, Danville, CA 94506