Candidate for
United States Representative; District 39; Democratic Party

Someone said that the true height of a mountain peak is established by measuring from the lowest point of the Valley.

• Cecy, an immigrant from the Philippines, arrived in California in 1973 with only $70 in her pocket, but the height to which her mountain peak has reached is indeed outstanding by any standards. Recruited to come to the United States as a professional, Cecy set out to make her mark and achieve the American Dream. At the same time, Cecy raised her first daughter, Sarah, with the help of Cecy's mother.

• Cecy has held positions such as controller in the private sector and has taught accounting subjects in college. She became an entrepreneur of fast food & restaurant national franchises, obtained her California CPA license in 1983, and is a CPA practitioner.

• Cecy entered politics in 1987 running for the ABC Unified School District Board of Education. Re-elected overwhelmingly three times, she has always been A TOP VOTE GETER. When Cecy became Board President in 1994, the District was almost bankrupt and the teachers were on strike. Within three months, she brought a peaceful resolution to the teachers' strike, fought against L.A. County's attempt to take over the District, and helped transform a $3.5 million deficit to a $9.9 million surplus by 1997. As a School Board Member, Cecy has worked to reduce class size, expand language programs, improve test scores and balance the budget without layoffs or program cuts. She again became Board President in 1999.

• Cecy has been active in community affairs for over two decades, beginning with her fight for state licensing of foreign-educated professionals. The State of California 63rd Assembly District named her 1988 Woman of the Year, and she has been recognized through numerous civic awards for her work on behalf of women, children and youth. Cecy has become a strong advocate for women's rights in the workplace and was a charter member of SU CASA, a family crisis and support group.

• Cecy is the proud mother of three children and five beautiful grandchildren. Her ties with her community are strong and she would like to bring more into our community to make it even better.