Chelsea Clinton Visits CSU Dominguez Hills

Freshman Saira Rab had never really thought much about her right to vote until this year. However, the 2008 presidential elections have made her stand up and take notice.

“I know there’s going to be a big change, because a woman and a black man are running [for office],” enthused the psychology major. “So [my peers] are really excited about this and the different things that could happen because of it.”

Rab was one of several hundred students and members of the community turned out on Feb. 1 to greet Chelsea Clinton and friends at California State University, Dominguez Hills. Clinton, the daughter of presidential hopeful Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-NY) and former President Bill Clinton, visited the Carson campus as part of the Clinton campaign’s young voter outreach effort. Accompanying Clinton to the youth movement rally outside the Loker Student Union’s Palm Courtyard were actors America Ferrera, Amber Tamblyn, Erika Alexander and Simon Woods, along with Congresswoman Laura Richardson (D-Carson) and Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez (D-Garden Grove).

Clinton, who has been visiting universities in the last several weeks to campaign for her mother, addressed the crowd, impressing upon young voters the importance of their vote in the upcoming presidential election.

“This is the most important election of our lifetime and if we don’t get it right, the next election will be the most important election of our lifetime,” she said. “One of the things that is so extraordinary is how much information there is out there so you can hear from the candidates directly.”

Clinton answered several questions from the audience, sharing her mother’s views on issues such as the environment, jobs, homeland security, immigration, the economy, education, and human rights.

“I am really proud that in 1995, my mother went to Bejing, and said, ‘Women’s rights are human rights,’” said Clinton. “I think that sent a message around the world that the United States values everyone, regardless of his or her gender, regardless of where he or she came from, because of his or her God-given potential. I can’t think of what better message to send than to elect either of the Democrats that we have running to the White House. I think that will show a profound sense of who we are as Americans.”

Markus Biegel, vice president, Associated Students, Inc. (ASI), underscored the benefit of Clinton’s appearance on campus to Dominguez Hills students, saying that, “Students want to know what’s going on in politics. It’s really great that she’s come out to speak today because she’s young, she’s part of our demographic.”

ASI president Ifeanyi Ebigbo echoed his sentiments, saying that “It is time for us to get together and begin to decide who we put into office. Later on, we are the ones who will be most affected by the decisions they make.”

Kate Fawver, professor of history, encouraged her students to attend the rally.

“This is a great opportunity for Dominguez Hills and a great opportunity for our students to become involved outside the classroom and they can see democracy in action in the republic,” she said. “Hopefully, this will be the first of many visits by presidential parties to raise awareness of the primary election and the presidential election in November.”

Fawver, who lectures in her classes on who votes in America from a historical perspective, said that, “Despite whether [my students] decide to vote or not or whom they vote for, it is important for them to be aware of the political process and the political history that is in operation. The more awareness they have, the better prepared they are, as a graduate of a liberal arts education and a citizen of the state of California.”

For Web coverage of Chelsea Clinton's visit to CSU Dominguez Hills, click on these links:

DHTV: CSU Dominguez Hill's local cable coverage (requires Windows Media Player)

MTV.com

- Joanie Harmon