Everything Long Beach ~ November 28th, 2016
http://www.everythinglongbeach.com/local-elementary-school-renamed-late-sen-jenny-oropeza-today/
In honor of a distinguished 22-year public-service career, the late Sen. Jenny Oropeza of Long Beach will have a local elementary school formally renamed after her today, Monday, Nov. 28 beginning at 10 a.m.
The open-to-the public ceremony at 700 Locust St. will celebrate the naming of Jenny Oropeza Elementary School, known previously as the International Elementary School, and will include numerous local and state leaders in education and policy.
Those confirmed to attend include: Rep. Alan Lowenthal; state Sen. Tony Mendoza; Asm. Patrick O’Donnell; Long Beach Mayor Robert Garcia; Long Beach City Council members Lena Gonzales and Roberto Uranga; members of the Long Beach Unified School District Board of Education; community leaders and family members and friends of Oropeza.
Oropeza, a former member of the Long Beach School Board and City Council, served almost 10 years in the California Assembly and Senate. Among her many achievements were improved statewide safeguards from cigarette smoke, better protections from breast cancer and saving taxpayers about $500 million annually by resolving a years-long insurance dispute. She also pushed for numerous transportation improvements, fair elections and environmental protections. Her efforts won her the American Cancer Society’s first-ever Leadership Award, and a nationwide business magazine named her one of the 100 most influential Latinos in the United States.
Oropeza died in October of 2010 at age 53. She was survived by her husband, Tom Mullins, also of Long Beach; her mother; two siblings and other extended family members.
