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Thursday, Aug 27, 2009
Councilwoman Hahn's Office Leads Watts Fishing Trip
Yesterday my staff led a fishing trip with kids from Watts. The kids went out from Marina del Rey and spent the day out on a boat, looking for the freshest catch. Many kids caught a fish for the first time in their lives! A great time was had by all (except maybe some of the fish)!
Posted at 12:00 AM
Wednesday, Aug 26, 2009
Councilwoman Hahn Remarks on the Passing of Senator Ted Kennedy
August 26, 2009
Ted Kennedy was a true champion for those that needed it most, especially the working men and women throughout the nation.
The Kennedys are, without a doubt, this country’s greatest public servants; and Ted Kennedy served with great compassion and courage for fifty years.
His legacy will live on as we continue his lifelong goal of working to ensure that every American has access to quality, affordable health care.
Posted at 12:00 AM
Monday, Aug 17, 2009
Councilwoman Hahn Celebrates Korean Liberation Day
August 17, 2009
This weekend, I celebrated the 64th Anniversary of Korean Liberation Day with the community, at the Korean Friendship Bell in San Pedro.
The Korean Bell, besides being beautiful and majestic, is a wonderful symbol of the friendship that exists between the United States and Korea. It is also a symbol of respect between the San Pedro community and Los Angeles Korean community.
The island of Korea has been divided since the Korean War in 1953. And though some progress has been made in trying to reunite the island, North and South Korea continues to be divided.
This year’s Independence Day comes at a particularly appropriate time, on the heels of the March 17th capture of American journalists Laura Ling and Euna Lee, who were detained at the North Korean border, arrested, and sentenced to 12 years of hard labor. Finally, during the first week of August, former President Clinton met with Kim Jong IL and was able to arrange for their release on August 5th.
The family and friends of the journalists, along with every American, are so grateful for their liberation. We can only hope that this act of good will on the part of North Korea will lead to liberation for all of its countrymen.
Most Koreans long for unification, and the people of the North yearn for the freedoms currently enjoyed only in the South.
I am confident that the relationship between South Korea and the United States will continue to be one of prosperity and progress, as our mutual commitment to friendship endures. I hope we can work together to ensure that every Korean will one day be able to enjoy freedom.
Posted at 12:00 AM
Sunday, Aug 16, 2009
Councilwoman Hahn Participates in Deputy Chief Kenny Garner Dedication
August 16, 2009
It is hard to find meaning in the untimely passing of such a unique, and wonderful individual as Deputy Chief Kenny Garner.
But Kenny certainly filled his short 53 years in the world with a great deal of meaning. What I liked most about Kenny, other than the fact that he was a local boy that attended San Pedro High School, was his ability to become a part of the community.
Even after attaining the high rank of Deputy Chief, he always took the time to travel to community meetings just to make sure that he stayed connected. I’ve often said, he was a deputy chief who behaved like a senior lead officer. He regularly attended community meetings in Harbor City, Harbor Gateway and Watts - in fact, he attended the Watts Gang Task Force meeting just a week before he died—and his death has been very hard on our entire group.
Kenny served as a great example and role model to younger officers. Not only was he straight-forward and honest, he was also understanding and compassionate. He volunteered to coach and mentor young people and received the Trailblazer Award in recognition of his outstanding contribution to the progress of African Americans in the City of Los Angeles.
Kenny’s passing was a huge loss for the entire City of Los Angeles and for everyone who knew him. The LAPD truly lost one of its very finest. Any officer in the LAPD would do well to model themselves after Kenny Garner. He was one of the great ones, and we will continue to miss him dearly. In dedicating the terrace at the 77th Street Community Police Station to him, we have ensured that he will never be forgotten.
Posted at 12:00 AM
Saturday, Aug 15, 2009
Councilwoman Hahn Honors Father Peter Banks for Years of Service to Watts
August 15, 2009
Last Friday in City Council, I had the pleasure of honoring Father Peter Banks, who is preparing to depart Los Angeles for a new chapter in his career and in his life.
Everyone who has ever known Father Peter would agree that he is a very special man, a man of God and a highly unique individual with an infectious spirit; a man who has done more for the people of Watts than words could ever express.
With his brown robe, sneakers, and Irish accent, Father Peter has always been a stand out in the Watts community – but his appearance is only a small fraction of what sets him apart in Watts.
Father Peter hails from the town of Callooney, Ireland, where in July of 1973, he was ordained a Capuchin Franciscan priest. A few short months later, he was assigned as an Associate Pastor at Saint Lawrence of Brindisi Church in Watts. He was a man from rural Ireland who would soon become a well-loved and indispensable fixture in the mostly African-American Watts community.
Initially, he spent nine years in Watts before being assigned as director of the San Lorenzo Seminary in the Santa Ynez Valley. As he left for Santa Ynez, one of his parishioners, an elderly African American woman, approached him and said, “Never forget, Father Peter, we made you the priest that you are.” He knew just how true that statement was.
During his subsequent nine years of service in Santa Ynez, he was elected as the director of the Western American Province for the Capuchin Franciscans.
In 1998, he returned to Saint Lawrence in Watts, as Pastor. During this time, Father Peter faced new challenges in Watts. The community had since become more of a mix of African-American and Latino cultures, and there has been a lot of division between the communities. Father Peter has worked diligently to bridge that gap and bring people together. He has established a mass in Spanish and a multicultural mass which encourages the entire community to come together, regardless of race or culture.
Since my founding of the Watts Gang Task Force three and a half years ago, Father Peter has been a dedicated member, attending the meeting every week and working diligently to improve communication between the police and the community, and to give children positive alternatives to getting involved in gangs.
Father Peter says of his second run in Watts, “I have spent 11 glorious years in the place closest to my heart. Forever Watts will be a part of my soul. I thank God for giving me the opportunity to serve the greatest people on earth.”
Father Peter, we, in turn, thank God for giving us the opportunity to have you be such a vital part of our community.
Posted at 12:00 AM
Saturday, Aug 08, 2009
Councilwoman Hahn Says "No" to Proposed Fee Hike for Restaurants
This week in City Council, my colleagues and I voted "no" on a proposal to charge restaurants to renew their outdoor dining permits every two years. The restaurants already pay a one-time fee to set up outdoor dining, and the last thing these businesses need right now is to another impediment to survival.
Read more about what I had to say here.
Posted at 12:00 AM
Saturday, Aug 08, 2009
Councilwoman Hahn Cuts Ribbon on Casa Nayarit
Councilwoman Hahn and Jose Meza
August 8, 2009
Last Friday, I joined the Nayarit Federation of the United States, including its President, Mr. Jose Meza, in cutting the ribbon on a new community room in Wilmington, called Casa Nayarit. Dignitaries from the Mexican state of Nayarit were also on hand for the festivities.
I know that the Wilmington community will be able to put this new community resource to good use!
Posted at 12:00 AM
Wednesday, Aug 05, 2009
Councilwoman Hahn Fights to Keep Fire Stations Fully Operational
August 5, 2009
This week, I asked City staff to find a way to stave off the Los Angeles Fire Department’s service cuts, with an eye toward keeping Los Angeles fire stations fully operational through the month of August.
Faced with a $52 million dollar deficit, the Fire Department will begin to implement cuts that will eliminate up to 38 engines, trucks, and ambulances, reduce the number of daily on duty employees by 125, and increase response times.
The United Firefighters of Los Angeles City have made a good faith proposal to defer their excess sick payout and uniform allowance for the fiscal year 2009-2010. This would result in savings of approximately $4.2 million dollars, which would enable Los Angeles City fire stations to operate at full capacity for the remainder of August.
If any of us calls 911, we expect the Fire Department to respond immediately. These cuts will result in people waiting longer for help, which could end tragically. So while the union’s plan will only allow us to delay the cuts by a month, that buys us more time to find a way to maintain services long term.
The proposal will be considered in the Executive Employee Relations Committee's (EERC) August 6th meeting, in hopes that it could be enacted immediately.
Posted at 12:00 AM
Wednesday, Aug 05, 2009
A Statement On Chief Bratton's Resignation
August 05, 2009
My brother, Mayor Hahn, hired Chief Bratton almost seven years ago, and he immediately rolled up his sleeves and got to work; improving morale, reforming the department, reducing crime, and bringing back community policing. He’s truly put the shine back on the badge. Mission accomplished.
I would like to see someone from within command staff appointed to the post, to carry on the extraordinary work that's been done by Chief Bratton.
Hear my discussion on "Which Way LA" (begins 28 minutes into the program)
Posted at 12:00 AM
Monday, Aug 03, 2009
Councilwoman Hahn Salutes the Military at Taste in San Pedro
August 3, 2009
Last weekend, I enjoyed attending year's Taste in San Pedro. I want to thank the Chamber for making it a success. I am always proud to partner with the Chamber to make the event possible.
I was glad to see a military program at this year’s event. It was a great opportunity to recognize the military and what they are doing for our country, particularly in San Pedro, where we have a strong military community—with the airforce base being located right down the street.
The City truly appreciates and recognizes the sacrifices and valor of the military:
In fact, the City Council declared November 14-21st Air Force week in the city of Los Angeles.
Taste in San Pedro is always a great way to share the best of San Pedro with visitors and locals alike. It just makes sense for the military to be a part of the event.
Taste is also a great way to support our San Pedro businesses. But let’s not just support them now, let’s get the word out, invite friends to San Pedro, and visit our restaurants regularly. During these tough economic times, it is more important than ever that we support local businesses!
Posted at 12:00 AM
Saturday, Aug 01, 2009
Councilwoman Hahn Attends Firefighter Tech Graduation
August 1, 2009
I want to congratulate all of the Banning High School Students who graduated from the Firefighter Tech program last Friday. This program is a fantastic opportunity for students to explore fire fighting as a possible career.
Firefighting is a noble profession full of heroes, but of course, it requires a lot of commitment, sacrifice, and courage.
Chief Douglas Barry, who will retire next month, is a perfect example of how a local kid has moved up the ranks of the Los Angeles Fire Department. He grew up right down the street from here, near Kaiser hospital, and he was able to rise up through the ranks--and after years of hard work--become chief of one the largest fire departments in the nation.
Again, congratulations to all of the program graduates, and remember, you can be anything you set your mind to, and that if being a firefighter is what you want to do, I am confident that you will achieve that dream!
Posted at 12:00 AM