A Message from Mike
Dear Friend,
Welcome to my campaign website!
America stands at a defining moment – in our local communities, in California, and all across our great nation. Unemployment, underemployment, foreclosures, stagnated wages, and skyrocketing health care costs are decimating our nation’s great majority – the 99 percent – and stifling business growth and innovation.
We must be bold and ground-breaking in forging solutions to the economic challenges facing America. Inspired by the imagination and industry of Silicon Valley, I rise to the challenge of this defining moment in our history. That is why I seek the honor of representing the hardworking and diverse constituency of California’s 17th District in Congress.
Right now, there’s an unemployed line worker in Newark striving to get back to work. His skill and energy are the keys to putting America back on top. I am running for Congress to fight for him – to continue my fight for legislation that rebuilds and expands American manufacturing to restore the American Dream for the middle class.
Right now, there’s a freshman at Fremont High School in Sunnyvale whose imagination is fueled by a love for math and science. She dreams of being the next Sally Ride or Steve Jobs. I am running for Congress to ensure she has the chance to turn that dream into reality – to ensure our schools are the finest in the world and each child in America is equipped and empowered to succeed.
Years ago, as a teacher and principal, I tried to meet with every parent and child in my care before the start of every school year. My career as an educator was guided by the needs of each child. Over the past decade in Congress, I have been guided by the needs of each constituent. As a senior Representative on the House Budget and Appropriations Committees, I have been proud to fight for the resources needed to tackle our region's needs, like BART, transportation, healthcare, high-tech research and innovation, the environment and education.
As Chair Emeritus of the Congressional Asian Pacific Caucus, I have fought for the civil rights of all and for reform of a dysfunctional immigration system. As Budget Task Force Chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, I have fought to lift up the 99 percent by authoring The People's Budget – a ground-breaking plan that eliminates the deficit, rescues working families, saves Medicare and Medicaid, and eradicates income inequality. As Vice Chair of the LGBT Equity Caucus, I have been on the frontline in the fight for civil rights for all through employment non-discrimination and marriage equality.
With my record of service and dedication to Silicon Valley as a guide, I am humbled and ready to continue to bring real life to Congress by tirelessly serving the people of California’s new 17th Congressional District. Right now, families in all our communities of Milpitas, Cupertino, Santa Clara, Sunnyvale, San Jose, Fremont and Newark need to know they will be heard and represented by a forceful and effective advocate in Washington. I offer to you my lifetime of experience as an educator of over 30 years; as a father and grandfather; as a Peace Corps Volunteer in El Salvador; as an elected official who has served at all levels of local, state and federal government; and as an internee in World War II – one who knows that government can make mistakes.
To those who will have new representation in Congress in January 2013, I must say how proud I am to serve with my dear friends Anna Eshoo, Zoe Lofgren, and Pete Stark. Together, we have fought for the values and vision needed to keep America exceptional in the 21st century, and I look forward to standing shoulder to shoulder with them in Congress for years to come. I would be honored to serve you with the same passion and commitment shown to you by my colleagues Pete, Zoe and Anna.
Please follow my campaign online -- via my website, Facebook and Twitter -- and at various events throughout the new 17th District in the near future. Your endorsement, volunteer efforts and contributions are vital to sustaining our effort. I thank you for your support in 2012 and beyond!
Mike
Congressman Mike Honda
