Staff
Last Sunday, February 26, Congresswoman Kamlager-Dove (CA-37) held her community swearing-in ceremony at the Beehive in South Los Angeles. Community members, local elected officials, friends, and loved ones gathered together to watch Kamlager-Dove take her oath of office and give her inaugural address.
Guests were welcomed by the Mistress of Ceremonies, Wendy Raquel-Robinson and then enjoyed a performance of “Lift Every Voice and Sing” by USC student, Joshua Gordon. Local faith leaders, Rabbi Sharon Brous, Pastor Geremy Dixon, and Mohamed Akbar Khan, led invocations and were followed by community leaders, Tommy Newman of the United Way, Yvonne Wheeler of the LA Federation of Labor, Sue Dunlap of Planned Parenthood, and Supervisor Holly Mitchell, who gave special remarks on the Congresswoman’s behalf. Los Angeles Mayor and former representative of CA-37, Karen Bass, administered the oath of office.
“It was a beautiful day to celebrate my new role as Congresswoman to CA-37 with the constituents that I serve” Rep. Kamlager-Dove said. “All of us felt a sense of joy and excitement for the occasion, and it was an honor to be surrounded by so many community members and friends as I took this next step in my life. I can’t wait to deliver for the people of California’s 37th.”
After taking her oath of office, Rep. Kamlager-Dove issued her inaugural address, laying out her hopes for Congress and her mission for CA-37 as their new representative, building on Mayor Bass’s legacy and her own legislative priorities.
The Inaugural Address highlighted the work already in motion by the newly elected Congresswoman, such as authoring the One Stop Shop Act and the Pregnant Women in Custody Act. The One Stop Shop Act would provide comprehensive resources to reduce recidivism and ease community re-entry, while the Pregnant Women in Custody Act would address health disparities that impact incarcerated women who are pregnant or in postpartum recovery. These are just two of the many pieces of legislation that Kamlager-Dove is authoring that build on Mayor Bass’s legacy and her own legislative priorities. Others include co-sponsoring legislation that addresses drilling on federal land, standing up against police violence, protecting social security, and a nationwide abortion ban.
Kamlager-Dove was motivated to author the One Stop Shop Act and the Pregnant Women in Custody Act because the criminal justice system disproportionately impacts people of color. In her own words: “As a Black woman, I know firsthand the impact that the criminal justice system can have on communities of color. Too often, our neighbors are incarcerated for minor offenses, or for simply being in the wrong place at the wrong time. This does nothing to make our communities safer, and instead destroys families and creates generations of trauma.”
She continued, “I am committed to working with my colleagues in Congress to create a more just and equitable criminal justice system. The One Stop Shop Act and the Pregnant Women in Custody Act are two important steps in that direction, and I will continue to fight for reform until every American has equal justice under the law.”
As a member of Congress, Kamlager-Dove will work to pass legislation that creates jobs, invests in infrastructure, and makes Los Angeles a more livable and equitable city for all residents. She is committed to fighting for policies that improve the lives of Angelenos and make our city a better place to live.
In Congress, Kamlager-Dove will focus on her desire to LEAD — pursuing issues around land, economics, art, and democracy. During the event, guests were invited to attend the community resource fair where they could meet district office staff and look into local services and agencies. The event concluded with the over 500 member audience reciting a community pledge.
Kamlager-Dove’s district includes some of the most diverse neighborhoods in Los Angeles. She is committed to fighting for policies that benefit all Angelenos, regardless of race, ethnicity, or socioeconomic status.