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January 25, 2012 (La Mesa) -- Congressman Bob Filner, the sole Democratic candidate for San Diego mayor, is the featured speaker at the Wednesday, February 1 general meeting of the La Mesa-Foothills Democratic Club. The meeting, which is free and open to the public, will be held at the La Mesa Community Center, 4975 Memorial Drive, in La Mesa. Refreshments will be served t 6:30 p.m, followed by the meeting at 7 p.m.
Rep. Filner entered into a life of public service as an 18 years old “freedom rider” during the civil rights era in the South. He served almost two months in the Mississippi State Penitentiary for taking a stand against segregation on public transportation. Filner received a Ph.D. in the History of Science from Cornell University in 1969.
Shortly after, he moved to San Diego. He brought his activist experience to a 20-year teaching career at SDSU, challenging his students to put thoughts into action to shape the world around them. Filner’s entry into politics resulted from his frustration with the local school board’s announcement of the closure of his children’s school in 1979. This led him to run for membership on the San Diego School Board with a “back to basics” approach toward education.
He lists accomplishments that include hiring a more responsive Superintendent, higher student test scores, and the elimination of millions of dollars of bureaucratic waste. He was selected as School Board President in 1982. Fliner broadened his civic service when he was elected to the San Diego City Council in 1987, working to develop the local economy and attract quality workforce opportunities.
He worked to create a safer city, introducing Police Walking Patrols and a Citizen Graffiti Patrol. His leadership and ability to accomplish results led the Council to select him as Deputy Mayor in 1991. Filner was elected to the U.S. House of Representative in 1992. During his first term,he was one of only a handful of freshman Congressman to get legislation passed.
Elected by our heavily military region, he requested and was granted an appointment to the Veterans’ Affairs Committee. In 2006, he was elected by his colleagues as Chairman of this Committee. Even his critics acknowledge his strong leadership on veterans issues.
Filner has a solid record of fighting for working families, seniors, veterans, and small business owners. He has worked to ensure affordable healthcare for all Americans His experience representing a border community has given him insight into San Diego’s potential resulting from its human and natural resources. He also aims to help San Diego become a model for sustainable energy and a hub for good-paying green jobs. These are among the reasons Rep. Filner states that he is running for Mayor.
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