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CHAMBER MEETS WITH REP. KAREN BASS
The Accenture Pancakes and Politics Breakfast Speakers Series kicked off the year with Rep. Karen Bass on Friday. Rep. Bass discussed the nation's deficit, President Obama's plan for consolidation of departments and the need to create jobs. Rep. Bass said she supports infrastructure projects to jump start the economy as well as raising the debt ceiling. The Chamber will continue to work with Rep. Bass on issues pertaining to education, homelessness and the prevention of the trafficking of young women. "I created my own caucus on foster youth," she said. "There are some things in Congress that everyone can agree on." Contact P. Anthony Thomas, 213.580.7568.
Chamber successfully advocates for more Customs and Border Protection staff
 Funding for 20 more U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) processing staff at the Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) has been secured, according to U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein. Last year, 2011 Chamber Board Chair Joseph Czyzyk, Mercury Air Group, Inc., wrote a letter to the CBP advocating for more staffing. The Chamber and 11 other organizations also joined together to advocate for sufficient CBP staff at LAX. Currently foreign visitors experience extended processing delays when traveling to LAX. Contact Beverly Kenworthy, 213.580.7531.
L.A. Jobs PAC-endorsed candidate wins L.A. City Council seat
 Congratulations to Joe Buscaino on his election to L.A. City Council's 15th District. The L.A. Jobs PAC, sponsored by the Chamber and governed by an independent board of directors, endorsed Joe Buscaino because of his commitment to economic improvements in District 15. "There's a need to create jobs and bolster public safety in order to improve the City's economic climate," said Chamber President & CEO Gary Toebben. "We believe that Joe has the skills and drive to accomplish these goals." Contact P. Anthony Thomas, 213.580.7568.
Leadership Southern California 2012 focuses on Los Angeles
 On Friday, Leadership Southern California 2012 Fellows met with L.A. leaders on vital issues facing Los Angeles' economic stance, downtown's redevelopment plan and how the arts and entertainment industry will always be an important facet to the City. "We are very much at a crossroads in L.A.," said L.A. City Controller Wendy Greuel. "It's just not the elected officials that should be involved; the people need to be involved too." Fellows also took tours of Grand Avenue's art institutions, The Midnight Mission and the California Market Center. Read more about the day on Twitter. Pictured from left: Controller Greuel and Amy Lemisch, executive director of the California Film Commission. There is still time to apply for Leadership L.A. 2012. Apply today. Contact Hadia Kabir 213.580.7524.
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More than 1,000 people volunteered Monday for a day of service in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Twenty-eight brightly colored educational murals were painted at local L.A. area middle schools, creating a more welcoming environment for more than 2,000 students. Volunteers also painted pennants of 75 colleges that will be hung in the school's atrium and spread mulch around the school grounds. The Walt Disney Company was the presenting sponsor of the day of service, underwriting much of the cost of supplies and deploying 100 Disney VoluntEARS. 
