Findings

Congress finds the following: (1)Jenny Oropeza was born on September 27, 1957, in Montebello, California. (2)Jenny Oropeza’s career in public service began with her election to the first of two successful terms as president of the student body of California State University, Long Beach, from which she graduated in 1979 with a degree in business administration. (3)Jenny Oropeza was a pioneer and trailblazer as evidenced by her early service, subsequent election in 1994 to the Long Beach City Council, and thereby bringing new priorities and focus in the community by becoming the first Latina member of that Council. (4)In 2000, Jenny Oropeza was elected to the California State Assembly, where she chaired the powerful Committee on Transportation. (5)As Chair of the Committee on Transportation, Jenny Oropeza, who had served 5 years on the Board of the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority, was a strong and effective champion of policies to improve highway construction, safety, maintenance and secure adequate transit funding. (6)In 2006, Jenny Oropeza was named a recipient of the prestigious Smith-Weiss Environmental Champion Award by the Los Angeles League of Conservation Voters for her efforts to reduce air pollution, prevent cancer, and protect the environment. (7)In light of State Senator Jenny Oropeza's personal battle, California Senator Oropeza bravely used those experiences to effect landmark legislation to improve the health and well-being of all Americans. (8)The American Cancer Society recognized Jenny Oropeza as a leading advocate of efforts against smoking, including through her legislation imposing the strictest ban in the United States on smoking in cars with children.