Candidate for
United States Representative; District 12

I have devoted my life to public service, first as a university professor and then as an active member of Congress engaged in a broad range of issues. My passion and commitment to public service are stronger than ever, and my years on Capitol Hill have earned me the rank and leverage needed to get things done. It has been my great honor to represent the interests of the Peninsula and San Francisco in Washington.

Here's a brief summary of some of my recent activities:

• Funding for BART Extension to the San Francisco Airport. We have secured $570 million for construction costs, and we are on track for an additional $180 million in the next two years.

• Placing More Lands Under Protection of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area (GGNRA). My legislation has added thousands of acres of fragile and scenic areas in Pacifica and Woodside to the GGNRA. This year, my bill to add almost 5,000 acres along the San Mateo County coast has already been approved by the appropriate Senate and House subcommittees.

• Improving Education. I am a leading advocate for California's schools. Recently we secured more than $4 million in additional Department of Education grants on top of the $15 million in federal funds our local schools received last year. These additional funds are to purchase needed textbooks and reduce class size.

• Clean Water, Clean Air, and an Environmentally Friendly Energy Policy. I have vigorously opposed the Bush Administration's efforts to weaken our nation's environmental laws, and I have been a consistent foe of offshore drilling along the California coast.

• Legislation to Protect Young Workers. I introduced a landmark bill to strengthen safety requirements for young workers and to limit the hours teens can work during the school year.

• Helping Seniors. I took a stand for seniors and voted against the 2003 Medicare Reform Bill because it will result in lost benefits for millions and will close the door to lower prescription drug prices for all. And I have strongly opposed all plans to privatize Social Security.

• Veterans affairs. During the recent negotiations over the Disabled Veterans Tax, I successfully argued for benefits that will save the region's veterans an average $5,610 per year. This was an important first step, and I will continue to work for additional benefits for military retirees who are disabled.

• Human Rights / Civil Rights. I am the Democratic founder and co-chairman for 20 years of the Congressional Human Rights Caucus, the leading voice for the protection of democratic values and civil liberties around the world.

• LGBT issues. I have long championed the rights of the local homosexual community, and have just introduced bipartisan legislation to prevent human rights abuses worldwide due to real or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity.

• Backing the National Guard and Reservists. I have introduced a bill to close the salary gap for many members of the National Guard and Reserves who are activated for more than 30 days. The National Guard Association and the Reserve Officers Association have strongly endorsed this bill.

• Support for the United Nations and Responsible International Involvement. My work on a variety of international issues in 2003, from civil rights in Burma to stopping the global spread of HIV/AIDS, has produced legislation changing the course of U.S. foreign policy. Just this fall, I led the effort to bring the United States back to full participation in UNESCO, the United Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural Organization. And I support U.S. participation in multi-national endeavors, such as the continuing effort to bring stability to Iraq and to Afghanistan.