HAHN FOR MAYOR
18553 Ventura Blvd.
Tarzana, CA 91356

MAXINE WATERS ENDORSES HAHN FOR MAYOR

Los Angeles - At a press conference at Los Angeles’s African-American Museum, Congresswoman Maxine Waters today announced her endorsement of Los Angeles City Attorney Jim Hahn’s candidacy for mayor. The endorsement by Waters -- one of the most powerful women in politics, and a respected and influential leader both in Los Angeles and nationally -- represents another major boost to Hahn’s campaign.

Recently, a Los Angeles Times poll showed Hahn leading all other candidates in the campaign for next year’s election.

Numerous other African-American civic leaders joined Waters today in endorsing Hahn’s candidacy including State Senator Teresa Hughes, City Councilman Nate Holden, City Commissioner Valerie Lynne Shaw, Minister Frederick Murph of Brookins Community AME Church, banker Paul C. Hudson, and Watts community leader Tim Watkins among others.

“The support from Congresswoman Waters means a great deal to me, because she is someone in politics who I genuinely look up to and admire. Too few of our elected officials today have the courage to speak their mind and truly lead -- Maxine is one of those few. Her fearless style has earned her the well-deserved and overwhelming support of the people she represents, and the people of Los Angeles should feel lucky that they have someone the caliber of Maxine representing their interests in Washington,” Hahn said.

“Her ability to reach across barriers and represent the interests of all people, particularly the weakest among us like children and the poor, is the type of leader I will be as Mayor. I am honored to have her support, and know that her advice and friendship will be a major asset to this campaign,” Hahn added.

Elected in November 1998 to her fifth term in the House of Representatives with an overwhelming 89 percent of the votes in the 35th District of California, Congresswoman Maxine Waters represents a large part of South Central Los Angeles and the diverse cities of Gardena, Hawthorne and Inglewood. She previously served for 14 years as a Member of the California State Assembly.

In 1997-98, Rep. Waters served a two-year term as the Chair of the 39-member Congressional Black Caucus (CBC). She formulated the comprehensive Agenda for Black America–an agenda for justice, equality and fairness–which outlined CBC’s legislative and programmatic priorities. Those initiatives included a commitment to drug-free, safe and healthy communities; educational and technological opportunities; and job creation and economic development. The priorities also encompassed voting and civil rights; environmental justice; the protection of the most vulnerable Americans; and the promotion of opportunities for all Americans.

For the 106th Congress, Rep. Waters has been appointed to the influential leadership position of Chief Deputy Whip of the Democratic Party. She continues to be a member of the House Committee on Banking and Financial Services and the Ranking Member of the Domestic and International Monetary Policy Subcommittee. She is also on banking subcommittees on General Oversight and Investigations and on Housing and Community Opportunity, and the Committee on the Judiciary and its Subcommittee on the Constitution.

She is married to Sidney Williams, the former U.S. Ambassador to the Commonwealth of the Bahamas. She is the mother of two adult children, Edward and Karen, and has two grandchildren.

In addition to those attending today’s press conference Hahn has received numerous other endorsements of key organizations and leaders in the African-American community including Los Angeles City Councilman Nate Holden; Rev. Cecil Murray of First AME; Bishop Charles E. Blake of West Angeles Church of God in Christ; Rev. William Epps of Second Baptist Church; Rev. E.V. Hill of Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church; Mayor Bradley advisor Bill Elkins; the Southern California Baptist Ministers Conference; and the Baptist Fellowship Convention.