FIXING OUR AGING INFRASTRUCTURE
The Chamber joined U.S. Sen. Barbara Boxer and L.A. Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa at a press conference on Thursday to call on Congress to pass legislation to improve safety and create 170,000 jobs in California. "Investing in safer and more efficient infrastructure will not only jumpstart the local economy now, but also it will pay dividends well into the future by making the region more competitive," said Sen. Boxer, chair of the Environment and Public Works Committee, during the press event. "I have been working across the aisle on a bipartisan proposal, Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century (MAP-21), which will modernize and reform our current transportation systems to help create jobs here in California and across the country." The MAP-21 bill is scheduled for a committee vote on Nov. 9. Above from left: CalTrans District 7 Director Michael Miles; L.A. City Engineer Gary Lee Moore; Sen. Boxer; Robbie Hunter, Los Angeles/Orange Counties Building & Construction Trades Council; Mayor Villaraigosa; and Chamber President & CEO Gary Toebben. Contact P. Anthony Thomas, 213.580.7568.

Chamber meets with African Union Ambassador to the United States
On Wednesday, Chamber members and community leaders met with Hon. Amina Salum Ali, African Union Ambassador to the United States. Ambassador Ali discussed the trade and investment possibilities in the Union's 54 member states and provided an update on Africa’s improved economic situation as the countries embrace international trade. "China and India have tripled their investments in the last 10 years," she said. "Clearly there is something there, and the United States needs to participate at the risk of falling behind." From left: Ambassador Ali; and Dwayne Gathers, Gathers Strategies, Inc.; and Chamber EVP & COO David Eads. View photo gallery. Contact Carlos Valderrama, 213.580.7570.

Chamber and California Community Colleges host town hall on student success
Members of the community convened Thursday at the Chamber for a town hall hosted by the Chamber and the California Community Colleges Board of Governors' Student Success Task Force. Pursuant to Senate Bill 1143, a Chamber-sponsored bill authored by State Sen.Carol Liu, the California Community Colleges Board of Governors convened a 20-member task force, including Chamber Senior Vice President of Education David Rattray, to embark on a strategic planning process to improve student success. The task force recently issued a report of 22 draft recommendations. "We are building on a history and commitment of success," said Marlene Garcia, above, vice chancellor of government relations for the California Community Colleges Chancellor's Office. "We need to focus on those students who have not been successful." The task force is now seeking input as it moves towards finalizing its recommendations to the Board of Governors and Legislature. Contact Alma Salazar, 213.580.7566.

SCLN launches Leadership Southern California Class of 2012
More than 30 Leadership Southern California 2012 Fellows embarked upon a two-day orientation at the United Way of Greater Los Angeles last week. The seminars were moderated by Southern California Leadership Network's experts: Jodi Walker, Jeremy Hunter and Kevin Groves. The trio covered topics ranging from civic entrepreneurship to mastering emotional reactions in the work environment. "Civic entrepreneurship is looking at the connections of collaborations between organizations," said Walker, Success Alliances. Fellows had the chance to socialize, challenge each other in team building exercises and discover their own leadership goals. Contact Alexander Pampalone, 213.580.7547.

Siemens pledges to hire vets In April, Siemens Corporation publicly pledged to fill 10 percent of the company's 3,000 open positions with veterans. In August, it reached that goal, and then some — with reportedly more than 450 veterans having new jobs with Siemens by the end of the year. Although it has far exceeded its goal, the company plans to further increase its commitment to actively seeking and hiring from the nation's military by reserving an additional 150 positions for veterans. Above, a veteran speaking with a job recruiter at the Hiring Our Heroes event, co-hosted by the Chamber in July. Read more. Samsung Electronics Co. QA Lab conducts nationwide recycling event Earlier this month, Samsung Electronics Co. QA Lab conducted a 50-state recycling event, at which the company sponsored recycling of any electronic products made by Samsung and other brands. An Energy Star pledge was also offered at each recycling location, in which people committed to considering Energy Star in future purchases. From left, Chamber VP of Business Development Lee Ligons and Michael Moss, director at Samsung. Read more. Click here to submit your member good news.