By California Black Media

Sacramento-based attorney, businessman and activist James Sweeney, who was an avuncular and towering African American figure in California political and social circles, has passed. He served as the regional Vice President of the Sacramento Black American Political Action Committee (BAPAC).

Politicians, businesspeople, media leaders, activists and others up and down the state remember him with fondness for his influential and inspirational presence in their lives. Consistently offering sound advice, they say, always giving them his unconditional support, kind words of encouragement and occasionally sharing dry “uncle” jokes.

James W. Sweeney was born in Fresno, California on July 28, 1948 to the union of Lonnie Lee Sweeney and Evelyn Randle. He is the younger of two sons born to this union. Sweeney’s parents, and his brother Sherman Sr., preceded him in death.

“James Sweeney’s leadership and wisdom will be missed,” said Betty Williams, President of the Sacramento Chapter of the NAACP.

James W. Sweeney was the Founder and Managing General Partner of James W. Sweeney and Associates, an advocacy and small business consulting firm located adjacent to the State Capitol. James worked with major companies and clients and was involved in deals exceeding 3.5 billion dollars. James was founding stockholder of Revere Bank. Starting with twenty million in assets, the bank now exceeds one billion in assets. James was co-owner of First Federal Financial Services, a credit card processing firm that has successfully processed over 500 million in transactions.

“He will truly be missed,” said Rory Kaufman, President of BAPAC, the largest African political fundraising organization in the state. “A Black man of vision, courage and insight. He stood for us and he fought with us.”

Throughout his career, Sweeney has been involved in a number of business investments across the state, and has worked in several political capacities, including the Berkeley City Council and the state Council on Mentally Ill Offenders (COMIO). He has served COMIO under four governors: Newsom, Brown, Schwarzenegger and Davis.

Sweeney attended San Bernardino high school in the Inland Empire, east of Los Angeles, where he was a basketball star.

He later graduated with a bachelor’s degree in three majors (Political Science, Black Studies and Sociology) from the University of California Riverside. He earned his law degree at the Humphreys School of Law in Stockton.

“This is sad news for our community,” said Kendra Lewis, vice chair of the California Democratic Party African American Caucus (CDPAAC).

Sweeney was a quiet force in California politics. Often working behind the scenes, he was instrumental in setting up a minimum-security juvenile detention facility for children in California named after him (Camp Sweeney). He also worked on California divesting from the African nation of Sudan because of war crimes the Arab government committed against Black citizens in the country’s Darfur region.

“In true Sweeney fashion,” Lewis said the last time she saw her “mentor,” he told her, “You have our support. Let us know what you need.”

James W. Sweeney was called home on February 27, 2020. His memories will always be cherished by his loving wife, Renee; his devoted adopted siblings, Jerry King and Toni Turner; his children, Wayne Sweeney, Jr. (Angela); Samantha Stonework- Hand (Eric); and Brett Sweeney; his grandchildren, Shayne Sweeney, Ronan Sweeney, Xavier Hand, and Roosevelt Hand; and a host of other family and friends.

No funeral arrangements, as of yet, have been made.

By John Coleman, Community Photographer

Two outstanding Black History Month exhibits were featured at the San Bernardino County Museum on the eve of Wednesday, February 26, but the largely Black population filling the museum reception area were there instead to attend the 2nd Annual Membership Meeting of the recently state registered Cooperative Economic Empowerment Movement-IE  (CEEM-IE); or ‘CEEM’, but clearly and seriously intended to grow into a MOVEMENT following  the model of the “Civil Rights Movement” we celebrate, but we lack progress toward  the goal of economic empowerment.

Reggie Webb, Founder of Webb Family Enterprises and former official in the McDonald Franchise system, is leading an organizational effort to improve Black economic health;  work cooperatively with and within our communities; buy and sell within our communities; and earn and share the benefits of and by participating actively within this nation’s trillion dollar economy. The CEEM membership meeting is partially a public report to its membership and a welcome to interested others. Visit www.ceem.coop/membership for more information or to sign up.

FONTANA, CA— The morning before the parade, the phenomenal, honored guest were appropriately invited to the Jessie Turner community center for a breakfast reception, at which time they took part in a sash presentation, awarded by Diane Hall presenter for the Rialto/Fontana branch of the NAACP. Each lady received certificates from California State Treasurer Fiona Ma, City of Fontana and Assemblywoman Reyes office.

San Bernardino County Sheriffs phenomenal female mounted posse color guard, 1926 fire truck engine #1 led the grand procession with our phenomenal California State Treasurer Fiona Ma Grand Marshal riding in one of the original Jeep commissioned in the Korean War, where thousands of African Americans served during a time when President Truman ordered the Armed Forces to be desegregated. 

Other honorable women of the event included: San Bernardino County Honorary Phenomenal Grand Marshals, People’s Choice Dr. Margaret Hill;  PAL center founder Humanitarian Dr. Henry, San Bernardino county’s first Charter School in San Bernardino;  Dr. Yolanda Friday Dean Chaffey college Fontana campus.  Riding in Cruising Brothers car club red mustang, cowgirl, trailblazer, and Bill Pickett rodeo title holder in barrel racing, Miss Sharon Braxton.  Miss Fifi Locke NAACP National life membership representative.  Pacesetter Riverside Superior Court Commissioner Belinda Handy.  Daphne Hawkins representing non-profits that are making a difference in our community.  Pioneers of North Fontana Phenomenal Living Legacy Grand Honorary Marshals, who are both over the age of 90, Mrs. Margie Pullen Fontana unified School district retired teacher; and Mrs. Christine White director of the North Fontana neighborhood employment center. 

The parade would not be a parade without, Dorothy Grant elementary School, all-female equestrian riders from the Bill Pickett rodeo participating, San Bernardino pacesetters drill teams, dance teams, elementary schools, and various car clubs.

At the expo it was exciting to have present Rosa Parks niece who will be releasing a children’s book soon about her aunt. There was also food, unique vendors, a kid zone, and live entertainers.

Ellen Turner, President for the Concerned Citizens for the Development of North Fontana, stated, “Each year when planning the parade it has more significance then the year before.  It is important to us that we continue to bring awareness to our CommUNITY of the accomplishments African Americans have made and still contribute to the Americas.”

She continues, “Mayor Warren is living example. Having an African American mayor in a city that was influenced by Ku Klux Klan is a sign of the times. I am so happy that the Mayor makes every effort to participate in this parade. People who have lived Southern California knew North Fontana as Fontucky, the KKK, and our racial struggles North of Baseline.  This parade each year is so important for the County of San Bernardino as a whole, it symbolizes our progress.”

By Arthur Davis

This is a story that I am very proud to tell about my granddaughter, Tayler Davis, born to our son LaMond Ray Davis and daughter-in-law Patrice Townsend, and of course her proud grandparents Arthur L. and Fredda Davis. 

My wife and I grew up in San Bernardino and attended the local schools, as well as our oldest son LaMond Ray, who lives in San Jose with his wife and family where he currently works as a Sergeant with the Santa Clara Sheriff’s Department.

Tayler Davis was born on September 27, 1991.  She had early influences in her life that made her the compassionate young woman that she is today. When one hears the saying, “It takes a village to raise a child”, it was clearly the case with Tayler.

She spent her early childhood with her maternal great grandparents, both paternal and maternal grandparents, she was also surrounded by many aunts and uncles who helped shaped her morals and values. She started her schooling at Apostles Lutheran School in San Jose where she attended from Kindergarten to eighth grade. It was very structured and taught her discipline and respect along with developing faith and trust in God. 

During elementary school years she developed her passion for tennis at the tender age of 7.  She was blessed with an African American coach, Don Johnson.  He picked up Tayler and her younger sister from school during the week to help develop their tennis skills. 

From the very beginning when she first picked up a racquet, one could tell how gifted she was. She was very athletic, has excellent hand/eye coordination, was competitive, and was yearning to learn the sport and soak up all the strategies and techniques involved to become a top player. 

Tayler was also very tall for her age due to the Davis’ gene.  She quickly emerged as a top junior player in the United States Tennis Association (USTA) in a very competitive sport that requires much time and travel in order to become a top junior player in the U.S.  She was able to obtain a sponsorship for her racquets, clothes, lessons, travel, and tournaments due to her high ranking and was able to secure an African American scholarship to help offset some of the costs involved. She ended up being top 10 in the nation by the end of her junior year. She was offered scholarships to various academies early on, but would have to be home-schooled and live in dorms at the academy. She chose not to pursue the academy road, but rather focus more on school as she wanted to go to college and secure a college scholarship to play tennis.

Tayler decided to attend a private Catholic school Archbishop Mitty High School in San Jose.  The school is well known for top academics with elite athletic teams; admission is very difficult to get into. Tayler entered her freshman year and wanted to play on the tennis team. 

The tennis team was very competitive and was in a very tough conference which was the WCAL (West Catholic Athletic League).  Tayler played on the varsity tennis team in the #1 singles position. It is very rare for any freshman to play in that spot due to mostly senior veteran players who has experience and can win at the important position. Tayler ended up playing all 4 years for Archbishop Mitty and compiled a 101-3 record.

She was selected team MVP for 4 years, Mercury News Athlete of the Year 4 years, team captain 4 years, WCAL MVP for 4 years and ultimately selected for the highest honor at the school which was induction into the Hall of Fame for Mitty High School in 2015. There were notable other athletes such as Drew Gordon, UCLA basketball player, Aron Gordon, 1^{st round} draft pick, Orlando Magic basketball, Keilani Ricketts, softball player at Oklahoma and USA Olympic team. Tayler was also selected to Hall of Fame for leading the tennis team championship in 2017 for winning league and state with a record of 31-1. 

During her high school studies and tennis, Tayler missed 32 days of school per year as she traveled to various US cities in order to compete at a much higher level and continue her high ranking. At this time she developed her discipline, organization and sacrifices to be the best student and athlete in order to continue on with her dreams. She missed various, dances, proms, parties and other social functions that interfered with what she was aspiring to do in her life. She did always find a balance to incorporate fun in her life to attend football games, hanging out with friends, school sporting events and dates.  She was featured in various newspapers, cover of ESPN sports, cover of Mercury News many times, community newspaper and of course the USTA media outlet.

Tayler ended up with a 3.8 GPA and was offered many scholarships to all the top schools in the nation for tennis. She committed to CAL Berkeley with a full tennis scholarship her junior year basing her decision on staying close to home, CAL academics, top 5 NCAA tennis team and the diversity of the school.  She had a very successful college career, playing at the number 3 or 4 spot in the singles line up and playing number 2 spot for doubles. Her highest ranking was #30 in the NCAA. She was voted co-captain her sophomore year thru her senior year. She was a strong leader and a role model for her teammates. She continued on with her discipline to focus and persevere with her mind set on graduating in Legal Studies in 2016. It is very difficult to play college tennis at such a high-level school that also excels in top academics due to the length of the tennis season which is August until May. The student athlete misses many lectures, classes and notes.  Tayler stayed on track and graduated in 4.5 years which is the standard due to their tennis schedule.

After graduation, Tayler was undecided on what she wanted to pursue after college, so she traveled all over as a hitting partner for a young top player in the world 15-year-old Cici Bellis. Tayler spent 1.5 years practicing every day with her when they were not traveling, they were playing WTA (women’s tennis association) tournaments with all the pros in the world.  She gained knowledge, experience and dedicated her time and effort to help this young girl reach her aspirations.

From her work she was able to save $70,000 and then decided to take the LSAT (Law School Admission Test) to attend law school.  She continued to teach and share her knowledge of the game to younger students while studying and preparing to take the test. She passed the test and was offered another scholarship to Santa Clara University Law School. 

In order to maintain the African American Scholarship, she needed to end the school year in the top 3% of the class each year. Once again, she dedicated her life to pursuing her dream to become a lawyer. She sacrificed much of her three years to study tirelessly to pass the bar in 2019.

She continued giving tennis lessons early in the morning or in between classes to keep up with her financial responsibilities and even traveled with young students in the summer to take them to out of state national tournaments just as she did when she was a junior player.

During her law studies, she became involved in the Innocence Project for 2 years and was instrumental in helping 2 different clients get exonerated. It was truly her passion to help others who were wrongfully accused of a crime and not having strong representation due to financial or poverty issues. Tayler continued as an intern for Santa Clara County in the public defender’s office learning and gaining experience for her next journey after law school.

Tayler graduated from Santa Clara in May 2019 with her JD degree (Juris Doctor). She was able to maintain her scholarship for 3 years and is proud to have paid the remaining balance with the money she saved, entering her career debt free, a truly amazing feat!

She took the bar after studying for 3 months in May 2019 and was getting the results in November. Needless to say, with her dedication and hard work, she passed it the first time. The California Bar is said to be one of the toughest to pass in the US.

She was already working as an intern for Santa Clara County however there was only 1 opening for the public defender position. There were 4 colleagues in the department that also passed the bar. They all needed to interview with a panel of 5 judges. Tayler received all 5 unanimous votes and was selected to begin her career in December 2019 as Santa Clara County Public Defender, Attorney Davis!  

She was sworn in December 2019 by a judge who Tayler worked for during her internship who shared she had nothing but praise for her work ethic and was not surprised she was offered the opportunity, and this is only the beginning for her.  When reflecting back on all her success and accomplishments in both academics and athletics, it is beyond amazing the characteristics she possesses and the hard work she puts in day after day without ever losing sight on what she sets her mind and heart to do!

We are most proud of the woman who wants to stand up and provide legal aid for those who are poor and needy, being able to provide representation for those who cannot afford an attorney to represent them. 

She has become one of the most well educated, well trained and a very dedicated person to advocate for others that there is no limit on what she can attain.

She plans to move up within the Public Defender’s office and possibly pursue politics as her next move. We are beyond proud of the amazing young woman she  become!  My Granddaughter thank God every day for all the gifts she has been given.

Nationally Recognized Firm Will Support a Better, More Efficient Work Environment for Workers and Ratepayers

RIALTO, CA— On February 20, 2020, West Valley Water District Board (WVWD) President Channing Hawkins announced at a public board meeting that the Water District selected a firm to rewrite the Human Resources: Policies and Procedures Manual, which is a critical step towards increase accountability, improving hiring procedures and ensuring the Water District maintains a healthy working environment and efficient operations for ratepayers.

President Channing Hawkins stated, “It is inexcusable that we’ve been operating on an outdated policies and procedures for the Water District. I am confident the new policies and procedures will help end dysfunction and address ongoing personnel issues that need to be corrected. With these changes, employees can expect a better organization and ratepayers can expect a better, more efficient public resource.”

Beyond written company culture, values and mission statement, the new manual will contain human resource and legal information as well as rights and obligations to employment. It will also contain organization expectations for employees and employee expectations for the company. Other items may include job descriptions, compensation, vacation time, sick days and other medical and family leave information. The new manual will help to fill knowledge gaps for employees on the correct policies and procedures needed to navigate the Water District.  

The WVWD will enter into an agreement with Liebert Cassidy Whitmore (LCW), a nationally-recognized firm that serves many jurisdictions throughout California. WVWD’s new Interim Human Resources and Risk Manager Martin Piñon selected the firm in accordance with Water District purchasing policies and requested bids from 3 firms and received 2 proposals. Piñon selected LCW due to their extensive experience in representing public agencies in developing related policies. The WVWD hired Piñon earlier this month to address best practices and other human resource issues such as resolving personnel issues. Piñon is a seasoned human resources professional, trained as a lawyer with management-level experience

The firm is a pioneer in the training field through its Employment Relations Consortiums, which are comprised of nearly 800 cities, counties, special districts and schools as well as other public-sector agencies in the State of California. The firm provides annual training to thousands city managers, county executives, general managers, city attorneys and heads of schools. For the Water District, the firm will focus on preparing and presenting new human resources policies and procedures for the Board to consider.

Vice President Kyle Crowther stated, “Some of our policies and procedures are outdated and need to be rewritten. This is an opportune time to perform a complete review and ensure we have a solid document to stand on as we move forward with additional improvements.”

This action follows a major effort by the Board of Directors to make the Water District more transparent and accountable. Some of the most recent actions include approving a temporary hiring freeze, prohibiting the general manager from entering into professional service agreements without board approval, conducting public meetings to scrutinize all professional services contracts, appointing an interim human resources manager and creating a live stream for board meetings via social media.

By Tanu Henry | California Black Media

The California Legislative Black Caucus (CLBC) announced March 10 that it has introduced legislation to repeal proposition 209.

The bill is called ACA 5 or the California Act for Economic Prosperity.

“Since becoming law in 1996, Proposition 209 has cost women-and-minority-owned businesses $1.1 billion each year,” said Assemblymember Shirley Weber (D-San Diego), who is chair of the CLBC.

“It has perpetuated a wage gap where women make 80 cents on every dollar made by men and has allowed discriminatory hiring and contracting processes to continue unhindered,” Weber continued.

Weber announced the bill at the California state Capitol flanked by members of the CLBC, the  California Legislative Women’s Caucus, other progressive lawmakers, as well as  supporters like Asian Americans Advancing Justice.

In 1996, after a heated public debate divided Californians who supported Proposition 209 and those who opposed it, voters passed the ballot initiative.

Also known as the California Civil Rights Initiative, Prop 209 outlawed the consideration of race and gender in hiring, awarding state contracts, college admissions, policymaking, and even in most forms of official state documentation.

The entire CLBC co-authored ACA 5. And supporters range from churches and civil rights organizations to community based organizations, labor unions and legal aid providers.

Besides Weber, other members of the CLBC are: Senators Steven Bradford (D-Los Angeles) and Holly J. Mitchell (D-Los Angeles); and Assemblymembers Autumn Burke (D-South Bay, Los Angeles), Jim Cooper (D-Sacramento), Mike Gipson (D-Carson), Chris R. Holden (D-Pasadena), Reginald Jones-Sawyer (D-Los Angeles), Sydney Kamlager (D-Los Angeles), and Kevin McCarty (D-Sacramento). 

By Lou Yeboah

Why are you surprise about the disasters, famines, pestilences [Coronavirus Disease], and the increasing earthquakes? Why are you surprise? Didn’t I tell you; “Before I winked at ignorance, BUT NOW I command all men to repent.” What part of that did you not understand?  You have provoked my anger! Yes, I’ve had enough of your blatantly disregard for Me. I’m fed up and if you don’t repent, I tell you, you ain’t seen nothing yet! [Amos 7:1-9]. “I will utterly sweep away everything from the face of the earth. I will sweep away man and beast; I will sweep away the birds of the heavens and the fish of the sea, and the rubble with the wicked. Yes, I will cut off mankind from the face of the earth, make no mistake about it,” declares the Lord. [Zephaniah 1:2-3].

The Warnings has been issued. The Alarm has been sounded! [Hebrews 10:26-31]. If we deliberately keep on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no sacrifice for sins is left, but only a fearful expectation of judgment and of raging fire. Listen, anyone who rejected the law of Moses died without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. How much more severely do you think someone deserves to be punished who has trampled the Son of God underfoot, who has treated as an unholy thing the blood of the covenant that sanctified them, and who has insulted the Spirit of grace?

Hear what the Lord says; This I have against you, that you have left your First Love. Repent and return unto Me. If you do not, I will come to you and remove your lamp stand from its place. [Revelation 2: 4-5]. What a solemn warning. I want you to know that God did not try to reform the descendants of Cain that had no time for Him. He rejected them and ultimately destroyed them in the flood. His complaint of His people was that they failed to give Him the honor and the respect He deserved. They treated Him with contempt and no longer held Him in awe. In their eyes He was no different than they were; and because of that, they were destroyed. God says, “A son honors his father, and a servant his master. Then if I am a Father, where is My honor? And if I am a Master, where is My respect?” [Malachi 1:6].  “I have had enough of disobedience and hard hearts. I am ready to render my verdict, sentence and punish. [Read the Book of the Prophet Ezekiel].

Listen, God has conveyed the same message over, and over, and, over again, that He is more than fit to be tied of disobedience and harden hearts and that He’s ready to render His verdict, sentence, people for their rebellious spirit and actions. Don’t take God’s grace for granted. Don’t let the Devil rob you out of the riches of the Lord because of a lack of knowledge. What is the “knowledge” that Israel lacked that led to their oft destruction? It was the fear of the Lord. Whoever is wise, let him understand these things; whoever is discerning, let him know them, for the ways of the Lord is right. [Hosea 14:9].

“When I shut up the heavens that there is no rain, or command the locust to devour the land, or send pestilence among my people, if my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.” [2 Chronicles 7:13-14]

“But if you do not obey Me, and do not observe all these commandments, and if you despise My statutes, or if your soul abhors My judgments, so that you do not perform all My commandments, but break My covenant, I also will do this to you: I will even appoint terror over you, wasting disease and fever which shall consume the eyes and cause sorrow of heart. And you shall sow your seed [a]in vain, for your enemies shall eat it. I will beset My face against you, and you shall be defeated by your enemies. Those who hate you shall reign over you, and you shall flee when no one pursues you.  ‘And after all this, if you do not obey Me, then I will punish you seven times more for your sins. I will break the pride of your power; I will make your heavens like iron and your earth like bronze. And your strength shall be spent in vain; for your land shall not yield its produce, nor shall the trees of the land yield their fruit. Then, if you walk contrary to Me, and are not willing to obey Me, I will bring on you seven times more plagues, according to your sins. I will also send wild beasts among you, which shall rob you of your children, destroy your livestock, and make you few in number; and your highways shall be desolate. And if by these things you are not reformed by Me, but walk contrary to Me, then I also will walk contrary to you, and I will punish you yet seven times for your sins. And I will bring a sword against you that will execute the vengeance of the covenant; when you are gathered together within your cities I will send pestilence among you; and you shall be delivered into the hand of the enemy. When I have cut off your supply of bread, ten women shall bake your bread in one oven, and they shall bring back your bread by weight, and you shall eat and not be satisfied. And after all this, if you do not obey Me, but walk contrary to Me, then I also will walk contrary to you in fury; and I, even I, will chastise you seven times for your sins. You shall eat the flesh of your sons, and you shall eat the flesh of your daughters. I will destroy your high places, cut down your incense altars, and cast your carcasses on the lifeless forms of your idols; and My soul shall abhor you.” [Leviticus 26].

But these things have I told you, that when the time shall come, ye may remember that I told you of them. [John 16:4]

SAN BERNARDINO, CA— Grounded Self Care Studio hosted its “GROUNDED” Social Experience Fundraiser on Saturday, February 29 at The Enterprise Building in Downtown San Bernardino to raise funds needed to open for business in June 2020. 

Grounded Self Care Studio will provide artistic alternatives that promote positive mental health and self-exploration in the heart of San Bernardino.  San Bernardino is often overlooked and lacks innovative resources that appeal to the members of the community and Grounded offers a proactive solution, that takes the mental health stigma into consideration, and creates a pressure free zone for healing and self-discovery.

At the GROUNDED Social Experience Fundraiser, Co-Founders Destiny Frye and Clarece Creighton featured powerful workshops and an interactive social hour that was geared towards getting grounded, refocusing, re-centering self, and connecting with others. 

Follow Grounded on Facebook and Instagram @groundedselfcare.

By Mark Hedin

In a February 12 Capitol Hill hearing that stretched more than three hours, Census Bureau Director Steven Dillingham updated the 2020 effort and fielded questions from the House of Representatives’ Oversight and Reform Committee.

His long-scheduled appearance coincided with the nonpartisan Government Accounting Office releasing its latest report on census preparations and what needed action according to its recommendations previously agreed upon by the Census Bureau. Overall, it said, deemed Census Bureau readiness for 2020 operations is “mixed.”

Topping the concerns at the hearing was the finding that the Census Bureau is behind on its hiring goals. About a half-million people will be needed to help get a full count, and for each position, Dillingham said, he would like to have six applicants. But 202 of the bureau’s 248 regional offices are still understaffed, with the first of five mailings targeting 95 percent of U.S. households due to be sent out in less than a month.

Dillingham said he believes concerns about the rate of hiring are premature. He expects to be fully staffed by April when the people knocking on doors to get questionnaire responses from households that haven’t responded either online or by telephone will be needed.

Citing the low unemployment rate as a challenge, he promised, “We will continue to recruit all through the census.” Besides, he said, “20 million college students are out there with student loans and needing money.”

Also of concern to committee members was the report’s description of the Census Bureau falling behind on forming partnerships with the community organizations, businesses and nonprofits that will be crucial in educating the public and maximizing survey response rates, particularly among hard-to-count populations.

Fraud and cybersecurity form the other key concern in the GAO report.

California Rep. Katie Porter entered into the hearing record a fund-raising mailing from the Republican National Committee that gives every appearance of being the census questionnaire.

Porter said the RNC sent a similar mailing in 2010, that led to legislation outlawing such misrepresentations.

Committee Chair Carolyn Maloney, of New York, called the RNC mailing “outrageous” and vowed to revisit that legislation and add enforcement mechanisms to it.

“Clearly, people are violating that,” Maloney said, looking at the mailing both Porter and California Rep. Jimmy Gomez had brought to the hearing. “The census is one of the sacred things in our Constitution.”

The adequacy of the Census Bureau’s preparations for prioritizing online responses also came up. Echoing his reassurances about the pace of hiring, Dillingham said that other targets the Census Bureau hasn’t met had been set higher than he expected would be necessary.

Although the Census Bureau decided on Feb. 7 to change the computer system it will use for online responses, Dillingham said it’s being set up to accommodate up to 600,000 users at once. But realistically, said his deputy, Al Fontenot, traffic at any one time is likely to be perhaps only a third of that.

Many committee members worried that their constituents lack adequate access to computers to ensure they’ll be counted. Dillingham and Fontenot described various plans, such as working with community libraries, but Michigan Rep. Brenda Lawrence pointed out that some libraries in her district have limited hours.

Missouri Rep. Lacy Clay noted historic census undercounts of African Americans — 718,000 people in 2010, he said — and noted the Census Bureau itself estimates that 60% plan to wait until someone visits their home before they’ll respond to the census.

Clay asked what outreach the bureau is planning, and specifically if it includes weekly newspapers and radio. Fontenot said a black advertising agency has partnered with the census’ primary advertising firm, Young & Rubicam, to help in communication efforts.

Michigan Rep. Rashida Tlaib complained about the reversal of the Census Bureau’s decision after 2010 to add “Middle Eastern/North African” as an option for the final question on the census questionnaire, about ethnicity. If, instead, people of that ethnicity have to identify themselves as white, she said, it will affect health research, language assistance, civil rights, minority businesses’ ability to get loans and more.

Writing in an identity, “doesn’t have the same impact and you know that. You’re making us invisible. You’re erasing us,” Tlaib said.

California Rep. Harley Rouda, whose Orange County district includes “Little Saigon,” home to the country’s largest Vietnamese population, including many refugees, asked how the census will enumerate those with limited or no English language skills.

Besides the census questionnaire being printed in English and Spanish, online forms are in 12 languages and, Fontenot said, materials including instructional videos total almost 60. But, he said, the primary way the census plans to meet people’s language challenges is by hiring partnership specialists with language fluency.

“We do count on our partners for language assistance,” Dillingham said.

New Mexico Rep. Deb Haaland shared an estimate that for every 1% of New Mexico’s population not counted in the census, the state loses $600 million of federal funding per decade. That’s money badly needed for “schools, health care programs, roads, so many other services,” particularly for Hispanic, Native and other communities of people of color, she said.

Unemployment is relatively high among the Spanish- and Navajo-speaking people Haaland represents, yet job applicants from her district have waited weeks to hear back from the census, she said.

“I know what it means for people to open the door and see someone who looks like them,” she said.

Dillingham said the bureau has boosted pay rates in response to unemployment and cost-of-living considerations in different communities. Fontenot cited the approval just last week of a $2 million budget for local advertising in “low-count areas.”

“If there’s more recruitment needed, we will make those efforts,” Dillingham said.

SAN BERNARDINO, CA— – LaToya Scott may have been a late bloomer, but once she started on her academic journey at San Bernardino Valley College, she didn’t look back and gave it her all to succeed. As a single mom, Scott was facing many stressful personal obstacles. She reached out for help at the campus CalWORKs office.

“All the ladies in the office were very supportive with helping me navigate Valley College,” she said. “They’re amazing, they’re awesome.”

Through a variety of programs, mentors, and office guidance, she landed a job and was able to get financial aid, plus keep all of her TANF allowance benefits. It helped her stay focused on the most important part of her life – taking care of her then-infant daughter.

Last spring, Scott graduated with full honors, having earned an AA in Human Services Case Management in the Public Sector, an AA in Liberal Arts Behavioral and Social Sciences, along with a certificate for Human Services Case Management.

She admits it was all a bit scary at first. She wondered if she would be the oldest person in class. She worried whether she could retain the information. She hadn’t been in a classroom in 16 years, having dropped out in her senior high school year to help care for her grandparents, who raised her. But when she was 32, both grandparents died two months apart. She knew she had to work hard and fast.

“Life became real for me. I felt like I didn’t have anything to fall back on,” she said. “I didn’t want to fail my daughter.”

Undaunted, she completed her GED in seven weeks. Soon after, she started at SBVC and began working at the San Bernardino Community College District in fiscal and business services. Through the CalWORKs department, which she describes as a lifesaver, she received all the tools she needed to move ahead, including childcare. At one point, she was chosen to head up a workshop to educate other parents at her daughter’s learning center about how they could also access educational tools and flourish.

The CalWORKs campus office was accessible, and a truly judgment-free zone, she added. It helped her realize that there was life after public assistance. She said their doors were always open and guidance there for the asking.

“[It’s like] you’re on the county, but we’re going to help you stop this generational poverty. We’re going to help you get off the system to show your child and show your family that there is life after the system,” she said.

Scott also served an 18-month internship at the award-winning nonprofit Time for Change Foundation.

Most of all, her overall experience helped her to achieve all of her personal goals for her daughter, now four years old, who attended her graduation last spring. Today, Scott is no longer on county assistance. Valley College programming gave her the confidence to move ahead through their workshops and classes. Going forward, she is also considering pursuing her bachelor’s degree. This month, she starts as an eligibility worker with the County of San Bernardino.

“I’m really excited that I did all of this,” she said. “I have a child to provide for.”

To learn more about San Bernardino Valley College, visit www.valleycollege.edu.