Debra A. Cole, 50, of Long Beach, has served in multiple positions in the Los Angeles County Alternative Public Defender’s Office since 1994, including head deputy, deputy in charge and trial deputy. Cole was a trial deputy in the Los Angeles County Public Defender’s Office from 1988 to 1994. She earned a Juris Doctorate degree from Loyola Law School Los Angeles and a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of California, Los Angeles. She fills the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Andrew C. Kauffman. Cole is a Democrat.

Halim Dhanidina, 39, of Los Angeles, has served as a deputy district attorney in the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office since 1998. He earned a Juris Doctorate degree from the University of California, Los Angeles School of Law and a Bachelor of Arts degree from Pomona College. He fills the vacancy created by the conversion of a court commissioner position. Dhanidina is a Democrat. According to the Muslim Public Affairs Council, Dhanidina will be the first American-Muslim judge ever appointed in California.

Peter A. Hernandez, 42, of Alhambra, has served as an assistant U.S. Attorney for the Central District of California since 1999. He was a litigation associate at Brobeck, Phleger and Harrison LLP from 1998 to 1999. Previously, Hernandez was a trial attorney in the Civil Rights Division of the U.S. Department of Justice from 1995 to 1998. He earned a Juris Doctorate degree from the University of California, Los Angeles School of Law and a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of California, Berkeley. He fills the vacancy created by the conversion of a court commissioner position. Hernandez is a Democrat.

Bruce G. Iwasaki, 61, of Los Angeles, has been a partner at Lim Ruger and Kim LLP since 2006. He was executive director of the Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles from 1997 to 2006 and was an associate at O’Melveny and Myers LLP from 1988 to 1997. From 1980 to 1988, he served in muliple positions at the Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles, including senior counsel and staff attorney. He was a staff attorney at San Fernando Valley Neighborhood Legal Services from 1976 to 1980. Iwasaki earned a Juris Doctorate degree from the University of California, Los Angeles School of Law and a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of California, Los Angeles. He fills the vacancy created by the conversion of a court commissioner position. Iwasaki is a Democrat.

H. Clay Jacke II, 53, of Los Angeles, has been a sole criminal defense practitioner since 1983. He earned a Juris Doctorate degree from Southwestern Law School and a Bachelor of Science degree from Drake University. He fills the vacancy created by the conversion of a court commissioner position. Jacke is a Democrat.

Virginia Keeny, 50, of Los Angeles, has been a partner at Hadsell Stormer Keeny Richardson and Renick LLP since 2008. She was a partner at Hadsell and Stormer Inc. from 1993 to 2007 and a senior trial attorney in the Los Angeles District Office of the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission from 1991 to 1993. Keeny was a public interest fellow at Litt and Stormer from 1989 to 1991. From 1988 to 1989, she served as a law clerk for Judge William A. Norris in the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. Keeny earned a Juris Doctorate degree from Stanford Law School and a Bachelor of Arts degree from Harvard University. She fills the vacancy created by the conversion of a court commissioner position. Keeny is a Democrat.

David B. Walgren, 43, of Calabasas, has served as a deputy district attorney in the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office since 1996. He earned a Juris Doctorate degree from the University of California, Davis School of Law and a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of California, Los Angeles. He fills the vacancy created by the conversion of a court commissioner position. Walgren is a Democrat.

Jeffrey K. Winikow, 47, of Los Angeles, has been a sole practitioner since 1992. Previously, he was an associate attorney at Mitchell Silberberg and Knupp LLP from 1989 to 1992. Winikow earned a Juris Doctorate degree from the University of Chicago Law School and a Bachelor of Science degree from Cornell University. He fills the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge William J. Birney Jr. Winikow is a Democrat.

The compensation for each position is $178,789.

In total, 791 handguns, 527 rifles, 302 shotguns, and 53 assault weapons were collected this weekend from the six Gun Buyback locations citywide.

An initiative of the Mayor’s Gang Reduction and Youth Development (GRYD) Office, the Gun Buyback rewards the voluntary surrender of firearms while engaging the community towards a common goal of reducing gun violence.

The Gun Buyback includes a grassroots outreach campaign that works with gang prevention and intervention agencies, community and religious leaders, and the Los Angeles Police Department. The comprehensive outreach effort serves not only to encourage participation in neighborhoods suffering from high levels of gun violence, but also to educate communities about the risks and dangers of gun and gang violence.

In exchange for surrendering weapons, participants received a Ralphs or VISA pre-paid card. The LAPD Gun Unit determined the type and classification of the firearm surrendered. The cost per firearm is dependent on its type, up to $200 for assault weapons as specified by the State of California and up to $100 for handguns, rifles, and shotguns.

The Gun Buyback is the beginning of the Summer Violence Reduction strategy which leads into the Summer Night Lights (SNL) program.

“Only a day after the disheartening passage of Amendment 1 in North Carolina, the supporters of marriage equality now have a reason to celebrate. With his inspired declaration of support for same-sex marriage, President Obama has significantly advanced the cause of human rights and equality in the United States.

“We look forward to the day when all Americans – gay and straight – are free to follow their hearts and marry the person they love. If we truly believe in family values, we should value all families.”

FAME and the AMC Cinema chain will sponsor several "Bully Movie Events" across the country, with selected theaters offering free admission to a one-night "Bully" awareness event – with the continued goal of involving parents, students, educators, and advocates in the movement to ending bullying.

In addition, with every "Bully" ticket purchased through www.MovieTickets.com FAME will provide a free download of its book "Kid2Kid, Keepin' it Safe Online" (ISBN: 978-0-675-50025-6) made available for the NOOK and Kindle eBook formats. "Kid2Kid" includes great advice for young people about staying safe online, and includes a chapter about preventing bullying in cyberspace and in everyday life.

"We are happy to join The Weinstein Company's 'Bully' campaign to help raise awareness about the serious effects of bullying. We hope to help inspire kids from around the world to stand up to bullying," said Zachary Swauger, age 13, FAME co-founder.

"This has always been a mission of the Jackie Fame network," added Joshua Swauger 11, FAME co-founder. "In 2011, we launched 'We Have the Power' at www.WeHaveThePower.net – a grass roots awareness movement about the terrible effects of bullying on school-aged kids. We recorded an original song, produced by DJ Boom and Hip-Hop recording artist G-Money. We wrote the lyrics to express how deeply concerned we are about bullying and its effect on our peers."

The FAME co-founders hope all school-aged kids and their parents will see "Bully" and join together in the fight to stop all forms of bullying.

About "Bully":

Directed by Sundance and Emmy-award winning filmmaker, Lee Hirsch, "Bully" is a beautifully cinematic, character-driven documentary. At its heart are those with huge stakes in this issue whose stories each represent a different facet of America's bullying crisis. "Bully" follows five kids and families over the course of a school year. Stories include two families who have lost children to suicide and a mother awaiting the fate of her 14-year-old daughter who has been incarcerated after bringing a gun on her school bus.

With an intimate glimpse into homes, classrooms, cafeterias and principals' offices, the film offers insight into the often cruel world of the lives of bullied children. As teachers, administrators, kids and parents struggle to find answers, "Bully" examines the dire consequences of bullying through the testimony of strong and courageous youth. Through the power of their stories, the film aims to be a catalyst for change in the way we deal with bullying as parents, teachers, children and society as a whole.

About The Weinstein Company:

The Weinstein Company (TWC) is a multimedia production and distribution company launched in October 2005 by Bob and Harvey Weinstein, the brothers who founded Miramax Films in 1979. TWC also encompasses Dimension Films, the genre label founded in 1993 by Bob Weinstein, which has released such popular franchises as "Scream," "Spy Kids" and "Scary Movie." Together TWC and Dimension Films have released a broad range of mainstream, genre and specialty films that have been commercial and critical successes.

TWC releases took home eight 2012 Academy Awards(R), the most wins in the studio's history. The tally included Best Picture for Michel Hazanavicius's "The Artist" and Best Documentary Feature for TJ Martin and Dan Lindsay's "Undefeated." "The Artist" brought TWC its second consecutive Best Picture statuette following the 2011 win for Tom Hooper's "The King's Speech."

Since 2005, TWC and Dimension Films have released such films as "Grindhouse," "I'm Not There," "The Great Debaters," "Vicky Cristina Barcelona," "The Reader," "The Road," "Halloween," "The Pat Tillman Story," "Piranha 3D," "Inglourious Basterds," "A Single Man," "Blue Valentine," "The Company Men," "Miral," "Scre4m," "Submarine," "Dirty Girl," "Apollo 18," "Our Idiot Brother," "I Don't Know How She Does It," "Sarah's Key," and "Spy Kids: All The Time In The World In 4D." Currently in release are "My Week With Marilyn," "The Artist," "The Iron Lady," "Coriolanus," "W.E." and "Undefeated." Upcoming releases include "Bully" and "The Intouchables." Recently wrapped was "Silver Linings Playbook," and currently in production is "Django Unchained."

TWC is also active in television production, led by former Miramax Films President of Production and current President of Television Meryl Poster, with credits including the Emmy(R) nominated and Peabody Award winning reality series "Project Runway," spin-off series "Project Accessory" and "Project Runway All Stars," the VH1 reality series "Mob Wives," and the critically acclaimed HBO comedy/crime series "The No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency" which also received a Peabody Award. The company is currently in pre-production on the martial-arts epic "Marco Polo" for Starz as well as production on the second season of "Mob Wives" and the newest installment in the series' franchise "Mob Wives Chicago." TWC additionally has 17 series in different stages of development, including "The Nanny Diaries," being adapted for ABC by Amy Sherman Palladino ("Gilmore Girls").

About MovieTickets.com:

MovieTickets.com (www.movietickets.com), the worldwide leader in advance movie ticketing, offers moviegoers a quick and convenient way to purchase tickets, while serving as a top destination for movie news, reviews and trailers. The Company currently enables consumers across 17 countries/territories, including the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Ireland, Spain, Argentina, Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic and the Caribbean to buy movie tickets online, from any mobile device or by phone at 877-789-MOVIE.

Formed in 2000, MovieTickets.com is a joint venture between AMC Entertainment, Hollywood Media Corp. (NASDAQ: HOLL), National Amusements, Cineplex Entertainment, Marcus Theatres (NYSE: MCS), Viacom (NYSE: VIA) and Time Warner. Its elite collection of partner theaters consistently represents more than 50 percent of the top 100 grossing theaters in North America on any given weekend. The MovieTickets.com theater chain group includes 254 theaters chains, which is about 10 times the number of chains of its nearest competitor.

About Jackie Fame:

Jackie Fame (www.JFame.com) continues to expand its Jackie Fame(R) brand with the national retail launch of the FAMEbody personal care and cosmetic lines, BrandFAME apparel lines, FAME50.com merchant platform; and Face-the-Fame, FAME America!, the online music and talent contest. In 2013, FAME is launching its FAMEgirl salon in selected cities.

The mission of the Jackie Fame Network is to be the leading teen social networking destination with the largest, most engaged audience and community. The network will be supported by its unique position as one of the strongest, most valued brands focusing in the highly coveted kid-teen audience.

Jackie Fame is a privately held company and is headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina with offices in Los Angeles, Calif.

Jackie Fame(R), FAME50(R), JFame(R), FAMEbody(R), Face-The-Fame(R) and FAMEVision(R) are registered trademarks of Jackie Fame Inc. All other trademarks acknowledged.

To learn more about Jackie Fame network, please visit www.JFame.com .

Copyright © 2012 CaliforniaNewswire® and Neotrope®. California Newswire is a publication of the Neotrope News Network and a U.S. reg. TM of Neotrope.

“By signing the Multiple Approvals Ordinance today, we are making progress on reforming the zoning code and moving towards a more stable, predictable and transparent land-use regulation system in L.A.,” Mayor Villaraigosa said.

The ordinance was unanimously approved by the City Council on March 30 after extensive outreach involving business groups, development leaders, neighborhood councils, and community stakeholders. It maintains all current land use protections while cutting procedural red tape, simplifying development review and approval utilization, and clarifying local implementation of recent State-mandated extensions of time for approved projects.

Along with clarifying project approval processes, the new regulations will provide assurance and certainty after projects have been approved. Currently, one part of a project approval may expire before others, resulting in duplicate case filings and redundant staff review. The new ordinance simplifies the process by grouping individual approvals into a single project.

“The Multiple Approvals Ordinance will be a huge benefit to infill development projects that often require several approvals in order to be sensitive to the complex needs of existing communities” said Percy Vaz, CEO of AMCAL Multi-Housing. AMCAL has developed market-rate and affordable housing projects throughout Los Angeles.

The new ordinance will also clarify the implementation of three recent State laws – SB 1185 (2008), AB 333 (2009), and AB 208 (2011) – that have extended project approvals during the ongoing economic recovery. The State extensions apply only to some approval types, threatening numerous approved development proposals now seeking financing and securing building permits.

“Approving this ordinance will help our city weather this recovery period and emerge even stronger on the other side,” Mayor Villaraigosa said. “Giving already approved projects the ability to become realized after years of recessionary pressure will stimulate our local economy and drive new investment into Los Angeles.”

The ordinance represents a major step toward realizing the Mayor’s Development Reform Strategic Plan, which includes reforms to the development process that will make Los Angeles a better place to live, work and visit.

In late 2010, the Department of City Planning issued a new blueprint for the department and began a structural reorganization that has allowed them to do more with less.

“The Multiple Approvals Ordinance will help the Department of City Planning to fully implement the blueprint’s ‘one project, one planner’ approach to case processing, allowing interested parties easier, more direct access for customer service,” said City Planning Director Michael LoGrande.

The proposal for the ordinance was approved with broad community support in public hearings at the City Planning Commission in June 2011 and the Planning and Land Use Management Committee in July 2011.

“The Multiple Approvals Ordinance represents a huge step toward realizing the City’s Development Reform Strategic Plan,” said Gary Toebben, President and CEO of the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce. “It will simultaneously make the review process simpler and more transparent for business and the community alike.”

Today’s signing ceremony was attended by Councilman and Chair of the City’s Planning and Land Use Management Committee Ed Reyes, Deputy Planning Director Alan Bell, Executive Vice President of Regent Properties Daniel Gryczman, Central Hollywood Neighborhood Council Board Member Laurie Goldman, Percy Vaz and Gary Toebben, among others.

The ordinance will go into effect on May 10, 2012.

For further information visit LosAngelesWorks.org.

“The Los Angeles County Young Democrats are proud to announce our endorsement of Tom Calderon for State Assembly,” said LACYD President David Graham-Caso. “Tom understands the unique communities that encompass the 58th Assembly district and he knows what it’s going to take to get our economy back on track and get California working again.”

Founded nearly 50 years ago, the Los Angeles County Young Democrats is the largest organization in California focused on giving young people a voice and a vehicle for activism in local, state, and federal political issues. With more than 1,400 members and supporters and dozens of local, state, and federal candidates either members or helped into office by the Club, LACYD remains at the forefront of keeping Young Democrats engaged, informed, and heard on issues of importance to young people.

Calderon is running in California’s 58th Assembly District, which includes the cities of Artesia, Bell Gardens, Bellflower, Cerritos, Commerce, Downey, Montebello, Pico Rivera and portions of Norwalk. He represented the 58th State Assembly District from 1998-2002 and previously served on the Montebello Unified School District.

Tom comes from a family of local public servants that have represented the Gateway Cities and San Gabriel Valley in some capacity for most of the last 30 years. His older brother, Charles Calderon, has served in the State Legislature for over twenty years and is the first person to serve as Majority Leader of both the State Senate and State Assembly. He is a former Montebello Unified School District Board Member and State Senator, and he currently serves as Assembly Majority Leader. Tom’s younger brother, Ron Calderon, succeeded him in the State Assembly and currently represents the 30th State Senate District. Tom’s late wife, Marcella Calderon, served as a member of the Montebello Unified School District Board of Trustees from 1999-2012.

DanceMotion USA sends American dance companies overseas to engage with audiences and communities, especially underserved youth, through dance and a variety of other means. DanceMotion USA builds on Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton’s vision of “smart power” diplomacy. It embraces the full use of diplomatic tools, in this case dance, to engage people and create opportunities for greater understanding.

Jazz Tap Ensemble, under the artistic direction of dancer-choreographer Lynn Dally, blends two great American traditions: rhythm tap dance and jazz music. The group, comprised of both dancers and musicians, will perform and participate in outreach and educational activities including workshops, master classes, stage and arts management sessions, media interviews, and discussions with foreign and local audiences in a wide variety of venues and settings.

The company will travel to Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo; Maputo, Mozambique; Bulawayo and Harare, Zimbabwe.

DanceMotion USA is a public-private partnership with the Brooklyn Academy of Music. Additional sponsors include J.P. Morgan, Pfizer, and the Robert Sterling Clark Foundation.

For more information, please visit www.dancemotionusa.org/ .

“CicLAvia represents a sea change in our city,” said Mayor Villaraigosa. “We’re getting off our addiction to the single passenger automobile by creating infrastructure for bikes, increasing public transit options, and making it easier for Angelenos to get from point A to point B—with or without their cars. CicLAvia is an amazing example of what happens we get out of our cars.”

On Sunday, April 15, 2012, over 100,000 Angelenos are expected to participate in the City’s fourth CicLAvia event. From 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM, a 10-mile stretch of City streets will be closed to motor vehicles. Streets will be open to all residents to rediscover their city on alternative modes of mobility.

“People love CicLAvia because it is incredibly fun, and there is a sense of camaraderie and community that is rare for a city as large and diverse as ours,” said Aaron Paley, CicLAvia’s co-founder and producer. “Los Angeles is undergoing a transformation, and CicLAvia gives people a chance to enjoy the benefits of the city’s improved walkability, public transit, and vibrant street life while also changing how we use our streets on a daily basis.”

Members of the community feeling the lasting impact of CicLAvia’s temporary change joined the Mayor at the press conference today. After experiencing CicLAvia, many Angelenos changed their day-to-day habits by beginning to ride their bikes to work, using more public transportation, charting a healthier lifestyle, or shopping locally.

“CicLAvia showed me that I could bike and take transit more in my daily life,” said Angeleno Steven Nancarrow. ”I started by simply biking to friends that lived nearby. Now I bike or take the Gold Line to work, and I have convinced more people to do the same.”

Local businesses also feel the lasting effects of CicLAvia’s temporary change. Some call it the “CicLAvia Bump.” Read and watch more about it HERE.

“Having just 100 people go by your shop on a bike or by foot is significantly better than 1,000 speeding by in their cars,” said Bolt Barbers founder Matt Berman, “The exposure we get from events like CicLAvia is crucially important.”

The Mayor today announced that this CicLAvia the City is partnering with the bike share company Bike Nation to provide 100 free bikes for the April 15th CicLAvia. Bikes can be reserved online HERE on a first come, first served basis with suggested donations going to CicLAvia. The confirmed renters will be able to pick up their bikes at the MacArthur Park Hub or at the El Pueblo Hub.

“There’s nothing like experiencing Los Angeles on a bicycle,” said Councilman Tom LaBonge. “You see more and it’s healthy. CicLAvia gives us the safe opportunity to get a two-wheeled view of this great city.”

The Mayor also announced a new Spanish language public safety campaign for cyclists in Los Angeles. The LA Department of Transportation and LA County Bicycle Coalition City of Lights program partnered with workers utilizing the Bici Libre bicycle repair shop to create a slogan and design for the public safety posters. The winning design will is on display at CBS bus shelters and a video PSA can be found online HERE.

“Besides being an incredibly successful community gathering event, promoting healthy living and a cleaner environment, CicLAvia has become the single most important tool we have to encourage more bicycling and pedestrian use in the City of Los Angeles,” said Councilmember José Huizar. “From its inception, CicLAvia has helped everybody from lawmakers to residents see for themselves the benefits of increased bicycle use throughout our City, and I am happy to join the Mayor and Council in support of this worthwhile event.”

CicLAvia is a part of the City’s efforts to promote a more sustainable Los Angeles by creating the infrastructure for the mobility of people—not just cars. The City is improving bike infrastructure, diversifying our public transit options, and making it easier for Angelenos to get where they’re going.

On March 1, 2011, the City adopted a long-term Bike Plan to build 1,680 miles of bikeways throughout the city. The city hit its first goal of 40 miles of bikeways installed for the fiscal year 2011/2012. While the City is installing more bikeways than ever, it is also adding the infrastructure needed to support more bike use. Since Villaraigosa took office, LA has increased the number of bike racks in the City from 2,456 to 4,400, a nearly 80% jump.

With Measure R’s help, the City is expanding its regional rail network to give Angelenos more public transit options. The first phase of the Exposition line, connecting downtown to Culver City, will open on April 28th. Last fall, Metro broke ground on Exposition Phase Phase II and by 2015 we will have the first rail connection between the Westside and Downtown in 50 years. Work will also soon begin on the Crenshaw Line, the Westside Subway and the Regional Connector. All of these improvements will make it easier for Angelenos to do their day-to-day business or attend special events like CicLAvia.

Inspired by Bogotá’s weekly Ciclovia created over 35 years ago as a response to the congestion and pollution of city streets, CicLAvia is a collaboration between the City of Los Angeles, the non-profit organization CicLAvia, and the cycling community to encourage healthy, active transportation and connect communities across the city.

“CicLAvia brings together people of all stripes to work together for a healthier city,” said CicLAvia Board Member Miguel Luna, “As a Colombian native, the origin of ciclovias, I’m honored to be part of this movement here in my LA.”

This year’s route will stretch through South LA, Boyle Heights, Little Tokyo, Downtown, Westlake and MacArthur Park, Koreatown, and into East Hollywood at the Bicycle District. Click HERE for a map of the route.

CicLAvia is one part of the Mayor’s “all-of-the-above” strategy to build a more sustainable City. Los Angeles is: 1) increasing energy efficiency and the use of renewable energy, 2) building a 21st century public transit system, 3) expanding green space, 3) recycling and conserving water, and 4) helping to grow a green economy. A quick fact sheet about Mayor’s environmental issues is attached. Click HERE to watch the video.

About CicLAvia
CicLAvia is a 501 (c) 3 nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting public health, green transportation, open space, economic development, and community building through car-free public events. With the full support of Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, the Los Angeles City Council, Police Department, Fire Department, Department of Transportation, the Department of Public Works, the Department of Water and Power, the Department of Parks and Recreation, and the Los Angeles County of Public Health, CicLAvia is an innovative model for creating new public space and enriching civic life.

CicLAvia is free of charge and open to all. No reservations are required. For more information, or to download maps, please visit www.ciclavia.org.

Support for CicLAvia:
CicLAvia is made possible through the generosity of its supporting partners, including RENEW (Renew Environments for Nutrition, Exercise and Wellness), an initiative of the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health; Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro); the U.S. Department of Energy; the Los Angeles County Bicycle Coalition; and REI.

Generous support for CicLAvia is provided by the Annenberg Foundation/Metabolic Studio, the Rosenthal Family Foundation, the Wasserman Foundation, the California Endowment, the Goldhirsh Foundation, the David Bohnett Foundation, the Nathan Cummings Foundation, the Roth Family Foundation, Wells Fargo, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Kaiser Permanente, and Occidental College. Sponsors include Metrolink, Intelligentsia Coffee, LA Weekly, L.A. Downtown News, Indie Printing, Laemmle Theatres, iZip Stores, and Tern Bicycles.

“Former Assemblymember Calderon has demonstrated his commitment to public safety and local firefighters, and I know he will be a champion for us in the Legislature,” said Montebello Firefighters Local 3821 President Craig Barker. “We look forward to working with Tom to keep Motebello safe and plan on playing an active role in his campaign.”

Calderon’s public safety endorsements also include the Association for Los Angeles Deputy Sheriffs (ALADS), the California Association of Highway Patrolmen (CAHP) and the Police Officers Research Association of California (PORAC).

Calderon is running in California’s 58th Assembly District, which includes the cities of Artesia, Bell Gardens, Bellflower, Cerritos, Commerce, Downey, Montebello, Pico Rivera and portions of Norwalk. He represented the 58th State Assembly District from 1998-2002 and previously served on the Montebello Unified School District.

Tom comes from a family of local public servants that have represented the Gateway Cities and San Gabriel Valley in some capacity for most of the last 30 years. His older brother, Charles Calderon, has served in the State Legislature for over twenty years and is the first person to serve as Majority Leader of both the State Senate and State Assembly. He is a former Montebello Unified School District Board Member and State Senator, and he currently serves as Assembly Majority Leader. Tom’s younger brother, Ron Calderon, succeeded him in the State Assembly and currently represents the 30th State Senate District. Tom’s late wife, Marcella Calderon, served as a member of the Montebello Unified School District Board of Trustees from 1999-2012.

The Los Angeles Regional Export Plan, developed in cooperation with the Metropolitan Program at the Brookings Institution and the Rockefeller Foundation, is an outline of how Los Angeles can double its exports by 2015. It is the first plan to be released through Brookings’ Metropolitan Export Initiative.

“We are not waiting for Washington to create jobs,” Mayor Villaraigosa said. “This is why Los Angeles partnered with Brookings as the first region to implement an export plan of this magnitude to help local companies reach into international markets so we can create new jobs here in Los Angeles.”

Los Angeles was chosen as the first city for GCI due to its business base, infrastructure, global connections and the creation of LARExC. With $79.8 billion worth of exports in 2010, the Los Angeles region is already the nation’s largest metropolitan export market. The region’s export sector directly supports over 312,000 jobs and indirectly supports another 227,000.

The City is making major investments in LAX and the Port of Los Angeles to ensure that we maintain our edge as a hub of international trade and regional exporters have the best infrastructure to work with. In December 2011, the Mayor went on a trade mission where Port and Airport executives displayed Los Angeles’ expanded capacity and dozens of LA-based companies showcased their goods and services to potential Asian investors and customers.

The Global Cities Initiative combines Brookings’ expertise in metro-focused research and JPMorgan Chase’s commitment to investing in cities. The aim of the initiative is to equip metropolitan leaders with tools to expand the global reach of their local economies by leveraging their assets and focusing on key indicators such as advanced manufacturing, exports, foreign direct investment, and immigration.

“The Global Cities Initiative will accelerate metro efforts to grow jobs and retool economies,” said Bruce Katz, Vice President and Co-Director of the Metropolitan Policy Program and Global Cities Initiative Director. “The civic, business, political, university and philanthropy leaders in many cities and metro areas are working collaboratively to make global competition, production and innovation the drivers of their economies – not debt and excessive consumption. These efforts are beginning to take hold across the country.”

The Global Cities Initiative is built on the concept that the global economy is a network of metropolitan economies, which are home to most of the world’s population, production, finance, and sources of innovation.

“Cities and metropolitan regions are the drivers of the U.S. economy, and if our nation is to succeed, cities need to be better-positioned for innovation and growth,” said GCI Chair Richard M. Daley. “Greater Los Angeles is an example of a region already working to improve its economy by expanding its global reach. The Global Cities Initiative will give local and regional leaders across the U.S. the tools to maximize the opportunities offered by the new global economy.”

To bring the Los Angeles export economy to the next level, Los Angeles must coordinate the export services and programs that exist and develop new ones to meet the evolving needs of the region’s businesses. To that end, Mayor Villaraigosa launched the Los Angeles Regional Export Council (LARExC) in October of 2011, streamlining export services in the LA region and helping companies find the services they need to grow their business and create new jobs.

Since the launch, LARExC has reached significant milestones including a first private sector investment from JPMorgan Chase and a funding commitment from the Port of Los Angeles.

“We recognize that the growth of the U.S. economy is directly tied to the success of U.S. cities and their surrounding metropolitan areas,” said Peter Barker, Chairman of California for JPMorgan Chase. “Los Angeles has been a great example of a city that is acting boldly to take advantage of new opportunities in the global marketplace. We’re proud to be the first private sector partner to invest in the Los Angeles Regional Export Council, which will be instrumental in helping our region’s employers realize their export potential and create jobs.”

To support this important economic engine in Los Angeles, LARExC is also developing a “manufacturing academy” in partnership with Valley College. This is the first workforce training program that will train workers for the precise and technical work required for manufacturing. A Manufacturing Apprenticeship Program is expected to begin this fall.

Today the Mayor also announced the first company, Luminit Co, an innovative lighting company, to participate in LARExC’s “Export Champions.” The program matches MBA students from the USC and UCLA business schools with local export ready businesses and helps to fill a critical gap by providing these businesses with market research, market entry strategies and the development of export business plans.

The LA Regional Export Council and the LA Regional Export Plan are core components of Mayor Villaraigosa’s “partnering for economic growth” strategy.

Partnering for economic growth is one of the five steps that Mayor Villaraigosa is taking to put people to work. The five steps are: (1) reforming LA’s business tax; (2) reducing red tape; (3) partnering for economic growth; (4) modernizing LAX and the Port of Los Angeles; and (5) building a 21stcentury rail network.