Assemblyman Warren Furutani Sworn into Office at CSU Dominguez Hills

California Assemblyman Warren T. Furutani was sworn into office on Sunday, March 16, in the Palm Courtyard of the Loker Student Union on the campus of California State University, Dominguez Hills (CSUDH). He is the first Asian American to represent the 55th Assembly District, including the communities of Wilmington, Harbor City, Harbor Gateway, Carson, and parts of Long Beach and Lakewood.

“Assemblyman Furutani chose CSU Dominguez Hills for the ceremony because he is a strong believer in education. Having served as a college board trustee [for Los Angeles Community College], he understands that economic growth in California relies on the next generation of educated employees who will contribute to future workforce development and our economic well-being,” says David Gamboa, director of government and community relations at CSUDH.

Furutani has 35 years of experience and involvement in education and public service, both as an elected official and a community leader. As a three-term member of the Los Angeles Community College Board of Trustees, he served as the board’s first vice president in 2001 and was president in July 2002. He is also the only person to have been elected and reelected to this board and to the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) Board of Education (1987-2008).

Furutani was the first Asian American elected to the LAUSD Board of Education and was noted for building bridges between parents, community members, teachers and staff by increasing involvement in the education system. He served as the board’s president in 1991.

The assemblyman has been appointed by Assembly Speaker Fabian Núnẽz to serve on the committees of appropriations, transportation, utilities and commerce, human services, and water, parks and wildlife. He will also serve as chair of a new committee on career technical education and workforce development.

“It’s always important to garner support from our state legislators especially during these hard budget times,” says Gamboa. “We gain support by allowing legislators to see why CSU Dominguez Hills is a great campus and why making higher education a priority helps our state economy.

“At the event, we had eight state legislators on our campus. Several had never been on our campus and were very impressed by our beautiful campus and our excellent faculty and students. Our students, faculty and President [Mildred] García are our best advocates, and when legislators visit, this is a great opportunity to showcase our university and let them know why we are an important asset to the State of California.”

- Joanie Harmon