About Sara Amir
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Sara Amir was the Green Party candidate for
Lieutenant Governor in 1998, receiving a quarter of a million
votes. This was the best showing by an alternative party candidate
running for the lieutenant governor's race in California since
1939.
Born and educated in Iran, Sara earned a Master's Degree
in Environmental Engineering from the University of Southern
California in 1976. Returning to Teheran after graduation, she
worked to promote democracy and women's rights under the newly
formed Islamic Republic of Iran. Her refusal to wear the hejab,
a restrictive covering for women, made her a leader among her
female coworkers.
When friends and colleagues were arrested, tortured
and killed by the regime, Sara returned to California to start
a new life as a US citizen. Her background as an immigrant from
a repressive regime fuels her appreciation of freedom and democracy
and links her sympathies to emerging constituencies.
Sara is currently a Supervising Scientist at Cal/EPA's
Department of Toxic Substances Control, Site Mitigation Program.
Her job is to ensure that toxic site cleanups meet state and
federal standards for soil and groundwater. As an environmental
scientist, she is aware of the need for factual data and careful
analysis before making policy decisions. Her 15 years of working
for the California Environmental Protection Agency have given
her experience in understanding legislation, administration and
negotiation.
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In 1993, Sara was appointed to the state Affirmative
Action and Equal Employment Opportunity Committee. Following
the LA uprising in 1992, she helped to establish the Business
Revitalization Center to help fast-track permits for businesses
affected by the civil unrest. As a director of the California
Association of Professional Scientists, she represented her coworkers
in state negotiations from 1992 to 1994.
A registered Green since 1994, Sara subscribes to the
four basic principles of the Green Party: non-violence,
social
justice, grassroots
democracy, and ecological
wisdom. As the first Iranian-American to run for statewide
office in California, she inspired thousands of immigrants to
register and vote.
Quality and accountability drive Sara to run for office.
She believes that carefully considered policy and law -- with
no hidden agendas or escape clauses for special interests --
are vital to improving life for all Californians. Sensible planning
will insure both a strong economy and protection of the environment.
These same standards will help solve such problems as traffic
congestion, poor education, and inadequate health care.
Sara is married and has lived in the 42nd District
since 1986.
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