Long Beach Press Telegram ~ November 28, 2016
A Long Beach elementary school was formally renamed Monday for the late state Sen. Jenny Oropeza, who began her political career on the city’s school board.
Jenny Oropeza’s sister, Lynne Oropeza, smiles as she sits with other family members during a ceremony naming a school after Jenny in Long Beach on Monday, Nov. 28, 2016. International Elementary School in downtown Long Beach was renamed in honor of Jenny Oropeza. Oropeza, who died in 2010, served Long Beach residents as a member of the city council, LBUSD Board of Education, State Senate and State Assembly.Photo by Scott Varley, Long Beach Press-Telegram/SCNG
Long Beach Mayor Robert Garcia and Rep. Alan Lowenthal, D-Long Beach, were among the dignitaries to attend the morning ceremony at the former International Elementary School, along with Oropeza’s relatives and friends.
Robert Garcia speaks to students and guests attending the Jenny Oropeza Elementary School naming ceremony in Long Beach on Monday, Nov. 28, 2016. International Elementary School in downtown Long Beach was renamed in honor of Jenny Oropeza. Oropeza, who died in 2010, served Long Beach residents as a member of the city council, LBUSD Board of Education, State Senate and State Assembly.Photo by Scott Varley, Long Beach Press-Telegram/SCNG
Oropeza began her political career in 1988 after being elected to the Long Beach Unified School District Board of Education. In 1994, she became the first Latina elected to the Long Beach City Council, which she served on until being elected to the Assembly in 2000.
Oropeza, a Democrat, was elected to the state Senate in 2006, representing portions of the South Bay and Westside. She died Oct. 20, 2010, from a blood clot in her abdomen at the age of 53, but was re-elected less than two weeks later.
Oropeza’s accomplishments in the Legislature include laws improving statewide safeguards from cigarette smoke, better protections from breast cancer, resolving a longtime insurance dispute, saving about $500 million annually. She also supported numerous transportation improvements and environmental protections.
