Diane Watson

Ms. WATSON of California

Ms. WATSON of California. Mr. Speaker, distinguished Members of Congress, I stand today in the well of this most distinguished Chamber with both pride and humility as the newly elected representative of the 32nd Congressional District of California. First, I wish to thank the constituents of my district for entrusting me with the responsibility of serving as their representative in this august body. I would like to thank my family and friends for their dedication and support, and I am delighted you are here with me today to share in this auspicious occasion. I would also like to thank my mother, who is 91 years young. With her valuable guidance and love, I stand here before you today. To my remaining family and friends and colleagues, I thank you from the bottom of my heart. To my political mentors and spiritual counselors, I too thank you. As I begin this new chapter of my life, I cannot help but recall the days of my youth where, as a young student at Foshay Junior High School, I envisioned a career as a professional woman carrying a briefcase. But I never dreamed I would be the first African American woman elected to the Los Angeles School Board and the first African American woman elected to the California State Senate, where I served for 20 years. I was further privileged to serve as a United States Ambassador to the Federated States of Micronesia under President William Clinton. But through all these incredible endeavors, I never dreamed that this walk would direct me in the footsteps of my dear friend, the late esteemed Julian Dixon. As my Congressman, Julian was both admired and respected. He was respected by his constituents, by his colleagues, and mostly by myself. As public servants for our communities, we worked together to bring resources back to the people of the 32nd Congressional District. We both approached our duties with the zealousness and dedication expected of us today by those who we so diligently served. Now, I have been given the supreme honor to carry on and add to Julian's legacy, and address those issues deemed important to our community: solvency of the Social Security Trust Fund, affordable prescription drugs, significant meaningful education reform for our children. These are the issues on which I ran, and these are the issues that my constituents asked me to champion as their representative in Congress. I am sure today that Julian smiles upon all of us because his legacy indeed will live on. I thank him for his distinguished years of service, and thank him, too, for his dedication as a champion of the people. I thank him most of all for his lifetime friendship. I commit myself today to reach the highest standards of public service. I will strive to be a Representative who will serve her district by engaging in relevant policy debates and providing strong constituent services. To Mr. Dixon and to the constituents of the 32nd Congressional District I pledge my commitment and my dedication to the greater good. Finally, I shall take my place with honor in this most prestigious body in the gentleman's memory, and I would like to rise to the level of respect that he carried with him. The great State of California stands as a shining example of the diversity that makes this Nation so great. In light of the recent consensus results, California is now a minority majority State. Our Democratic delegation reflects the parity that is synonymous with diversity. Upon this, my swearing in, as was mentioned, I became the 16th woman, along with 16 men, that make up our delegation. We have finally reached parity, and act as a model for the rest of this country. Despite the many obstructions that face California, including our current energy crisis, we possess the ability to be creative and apply practical solutions that work to benefit our State, our Nation, and today's global economy. I look forward to joining all of my colleagues as we tackle these problems. I stand today with the Democrats and the Republicans and the Independents. I stand with my colleagues in the California delegation. I stand with the Congressional Black Caucus, the Congressional Women's Caucus, the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, and challenge all of us to work together towards the greater good of this country, and particularly, our State. Let history judge us not by laws that we pass in these great Chambers, but by the civility with which we pass them. Our best days are yet to come. Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleagues, my friends, and supporters for being here with me to have this great honor bestowed upon me. I cannot ever repay them for their support, their commitment, and their dedication.