Mark Takano

Mark Takano

Mark Takano is a Democratic member of the United States House of Representatives, representing the 41st district of California. Takano is supported by the Victory Fund.

Mark Takano represents Riverside, Moreno Valley, Perris and Jurupa Valley in the United States Congress.

Background

Mark Takano attended La Sierra High School in the Alvord Unified School District.In 1979, he graduated as the school's valedictorian. Mark attended Harvard College and received his bachelor's degree in Government in 1983. As a student, he bused tables to help make ends meet. During his senior year, he organized and co-founded Ride for Life, a transcontinental bicycle ride to benefit the international development agency Oxfam America.

Upon graduation, Takano worked as a substitute teacher for various public school systems in the Boston area.

Mark Takano returned home to Riverside and obtained his secondary teaching credential in Language Arts and Social Studies at the University of California at Riverside. He began teaching in the Rialto Unified School District in 1988 in schools serving predominantly Latino and African American students. Since 2009, he has served as advisor to the Rialto High School Gay Straight Student Alliance.

In 1990, Takano was elected to the Riverside Community College District's Board of Trustees, finishing first among eleven candidates competing for two seats. He was elected Board President in 1991. As a Trustee, Mark helped oversee the transition of the District's Norco and Moreno Valley campuses to become independent colleges. He has won re-election to the Board in 1995, 1999, 2004 and 2008.

Mark Takano's long history of public service in Riverside County includes roles on the Community Advisory Board of the Children's Spine Foundation and the Board of the Chancellor's Asian Pacific Islander Community Advisory Center at the University of California, Riverside. He has served as chairman of the Riverside Mayor's Task Force on the Digital Divide, Chairman of the Asian Pacific Islander Caucus of the California Democratic Party, a charter member of the Association of Latino Community College Trustees, a member of the Association of California Asian American Trustees and a member of Asian Pacific Americans in Higher Education. He is a recipient of the Martin Luther King Visionaries Award.

Influence

In Congress, Mark Takano is a member of the Veterans' Affairs and Science, Space and Technology Committees.

JStreet PAC endorsement

In 2024 JStreet PAC endorsed Mark Takano.

Resolution condemning socialism

Fedrary 2, 2023 House Republicans moved a Resolution condemning socialism and certain dictators.

The Resolution began:

Whereas socialist ideology necessitates a concentration of power that has time and time again collapsed into Communist regimes, totalitarian rule, and brutal dictatorships;

Whereas socialism has repeatedly led to famine and mass murders, and the killing of over 100,000,000 people worldwide;

Whereas many of the greatest crimes in history were committed by socialist ideologues, including Vladimir Lenin, Joseph Stalin, Mao Zedong, Fidel Castro, Pol Pot, Kim Jong Il, Kim Jong Un, Daniel Ortega, Hugo Chavez, and Nicolás Maduro;

Eighty six Democrats voted no. Forteen voted "present" and six didn't vote.

Representative Mark Takano voted "Nay".

Labor Caucus

The Labor Caucus is an official caucus in the U.S. House of Representatives. In 2021 members included Mark Takano .

"China Initiative" letter

On January 22, 2024, Rep. Grace Meng (D-NY), U.S. Senator Mazie Hirono (D-HI) and U.S. Rep. Judy Chu (D-CA) led an effort to stop House GOP members from reinstating the China Initiative, a Trump-era program created in 2018 that purported to combat espionage but in effect targeted and profiled those of Chinese descent.

The Department of Justice ended the program in 2022, after several of the alleged espionage and national security cases ended in acquittal, dismissal or were dropped altogether. But Republicans in Congress are now attempting to restart the program using a provision in a key House spending bill—at the same time that they are reviving racially motivated rhetoric against Chinese Americans.

“Republicans are essentially pushing the Chinese Exclusion Act 2.0,” said Rep. Meng, First Vice Chair of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus.

“The Trump-era China Initiative fostered bigotry and discrimination against Asian Americans, particularly those with connections to China, while doing little to actually advance national security interests,” said Senator Hirono, Executive Board Member of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus.

“The Trump-era China Initiative undermined our nation’s scientific innovation and global partnerships while perpetuating the ‘forever foreigner’ stereotype and ruining the careers and lives of the innocent scholars targeted for investigations solely because of their Chinese ancestry,” said Rep. Chu, Chair of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus.

Other signatories included Senators Tammy Duckworth, Peter Welch, and Congressmembers Jake Auchincloss, Ami Bera, Andre Carson, Greg Casar, Kathy Castor, Jasmine Crockett, Lloyd Doggett, Adriano Espaillat, Bill Foster, Valerie Foushee, Chuy Garcia, Robert Garcia, Dan Goldman, Jimmy Gomez, Pramila Jayapal, Andy Kim, Raja Krishnamoorthi, Barbara Lee, Ted Lieu, Jim McGovern, Seth Moulton, Kevin Mullin, Jerry Nadler, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Ayanna Pressley, Andrea Salinas, Linda Sanchez, Adam Schiff, Tom Suozzi, Mark Takano, Jill Tokuda, Lauren Underwood.

No to China committee

Sixty-five Democrats in the House of Representatives voted on Tuesday January 10, 2022, against creating a committee to investigate China and find ways to counter the communist country’s growing international influence.

The House overwhelmingly voted to create the Select Committee on the Strategic Competition Between the United States and the Chinese Communist Party on a 365 to 65 margin, in one of the first votes since the Republicans took control of the chamber.

However, even though some members did not vote, all 65 lawmakers who voted against the committee’s creation were Democrats, including Mark Takano.

Effort to Stop Development Projects

Rep. Ro Khanna, Tefere Gebre of Greenpeace, Grace Tuttle of Protect Our Water, Heritage, Rights and Naadiya Hutchinson, Government Affairs Manager at WE ACT for Environmental Justice were listed as speakers for a "Special Town Hall" dated September 15, 2022 sponsored by Our Revolution. The meeting is to discuss strategies to stop the public from using strategic litigation to shut down development prjects. Our Revolution, Greenpeace, Protect Our Water, Heritage, Rights (POWHR) and WE ACT for Environmental Justice participated. In a mass email, Our Revolution linked to a letter signed by democrats to thwart development projects.

From the event invitation:

"Our Revolution, America’s largest grassroots progressive organization, is partnering with Greenpeace USA to stop a looming threat to our communities and our planet. together, we are hosting a Town Hall to mobilize our networks of millions of members and hundreds of local chapters to stop a deal negotiated between Senator Joe Manchin, The American Petroleum Institute (API), and Democratic leadership to fast track permitting of fossil fuel extraction projects, leading to potential catastrophic climate impacts.

Join frontline communities and our allies in Congress to learn what you can do to help us stop Manchin's Dirty Deal!

From a mass email sent by Our Revolution dated September 12, 2022:

"Our Revolution is leading the charge alongside frontline communities and environmental justice groups like Greenpeace to kill Joe Manchin’s side deal for more dirty oil favors.

"Manchin is willing to shut down the government for more fossil fuel projects like the Mountain Valley Pipeline in WV and strip safeguards from impacted communities.

"Dems can’t celebrate “the biggest climate steps in history” while reversing them by caving to a literal coal baron.

"Our coalition of 650 organizations is urging Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer to detach the deal from the must-pass bill to fund the government — we cannot let Manchin hold us hostage!

"Bernie railed against it on the Senate floor this week and says he’ll vote it down, and Our Revolution is calling for a progressive mutiny in Congress.

"A coalition of 72 US House Reps have signed onto a letter led by US Rep. Raul Grijalva - but we need more of our representatives in Congress to stand in opposition.

Mark Takano signed the letter.

Common Defense

Common Defense endorsed Mark Takano for Congress in 2022.

Our Revolution endorsement 2022

Our Revolution endorsed Mark Takano in 2022.

Our Revolution endorsement 2020

Congressional LGBTQ+ Equality Caucus

The formation of the Congressional LGBTQ+ Equality Caucus was announced on June 4, 2008, by openly gay representatives Tammy Baldwin and Barney Frank. The caucus had 165 members (164 Democrats and 1 Republican) in the 116th United States Congress. The caucus is co-chaired by the United States House of Representatives' nine openly LGBT members: Representatives David Cicilline, Angie Craig, Sharice Davids, Mondaire Jones, Sean Patrick Maloney, Chris Pappas, Mark Pocan, Mark Takano, and Ritchie Torres.

Conversion

Mark Takano switched from Republican to Democrat, before his first run for Congress in 1992.

Claiming his Harvard education enlightened him, Mark A. Takano '83 has turned Democrat to seek a congressional seat in Southern California's upcoming elections.

Takano, a Republican throughout college, now finds himself the Democratic contender in a closely paired race for the 43rd congressional district of Riverside County.

"My whole family is Republican and I was a Republican all the way through college," Takano said. "But my Harvard education really had an impact. It truly made me smarter. I became a Democrat," he said.

Takano said he bucked the trend of the 1980s, when more and more college students adopted the Republican platform.

His original plans to be a Republican-affiliated lawyer fell through when he saw the party no longer had a place for him.

"They [Republicans] were so ideologically conservative, both economically and culturally," said Takano. "They lost their pragmatism."

Takano cited Central America, trickle-down economics, the pro-life position and treatment of minority groups as issues that influenced his political conversion.

"From the minorities point of view, the Republicans were incredibly divisive in their rhetoric," Takano said. "Most minorities felt they lost any sort of representation in the government."

AAPI bus tour

Don't miss this! Tonight Nina Ahmad and I are hosting a Pennsylvania "stop" on the virtual AAPI bus tour featuring superstars like Ai-Jen Poo, Ted Lieu, Andrew Yang, and many more to mobilize our communities and to get out the vote for Joe Biden and Kamala Harris. Check out our lineup!

• Andrew Yang, former Democratic Presidential Candidate
• Ai-jen Poo, Director of the National Domestic Workers Alliance
• US Congressmen Ted Lieu, Mark Takano, Raja Krishnamoorthi, and Andy Kim
• Helen Gym, Philadelphia City Councilmember
• Dr. Nina Ahmad, Democratic nominee for PA Auditor General

Support for the Council on American Islamic Relations

Mark Takano wrote a letter of support to the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) on the occasion of their 24th anniversary in September 2018.

Peace Action

Peace Action endorsed Mark Takano in the 2018 election cycle.

CPC Deputy Whips

2021 Congressional Progressive Caucus Deputy Whips: Congressman Mark Takano (CA-41), Congressman Lloyd Doggett (TX-35), Congressman Ro Khanna (CA-17), Congresswoman Debbie Dingell (MI-12), Congressman Mondaire Jones (NY-17), Congressman Andy Levin (MI-09), Congresswoman Veronica Escobar (TX-16) and Congresswoman-elect Cori Bush (MO-01).

Progressive Caucus Action Fund Session

Mark Takano was involved in the Progressive Strategy Summit named "Building Power for the Rest of Us" held on October 24-25 2019 at the Hyatt Regency Washington on Capitol Hill. Mark Takano was listed as one of those "featured" in a panel headlined "From the Shop Floor to the House Floor: Bringing; Lessons from the Picket Lines into Policy Debates" which aimed to "discuss our shared goals of rebalancing our economy to achieve racial, gender, and economic justice."

Verbatim:

"A hallmark of the progressive movement is a belief that the experiences and needs of working people should animate our policy and politics. This session will bring together organizers, policy makers, labor leaders, advocates, and activists to discuss our shared goals of rebalancing our economy to achieve racial, gender, and economic justice. Bank workers from Santander and Wells Fargo, women working at Walmart, warehouse workers at Amazon, federal contract workers, and striking UAW workers will describe their campaign goals. Special guest members of Congress and national policy leaders will have the opportunity to describe the change they're fighting for in Washington and recent progress building worker power through legislative campaigns. Some of the questions that may be addressed include: How do we achieve better alignment between policy in Washington and people organizing on the front lines? What are the gaps in existing legislation that need to be filled to support working people in a rapidly changing economy? What are the steps we need to take to rein in corporate power, beyond traditional labor legislation? How does the legislation currently on offer build worker power and achieve racial, economic and gender justice?

Moderator: Dorian Warren, Center for Community Change

Featuring: Rep. Donald Norcross; Rep. Mark Pocan, Congressional Progressive Caucus Co-Chair; Rep. Mark Takano; Randy Bryce; Emily Chatterjee, Leadership Conference on Civil & Human Rights; Jaya Chatterjee, Service Employees International Union (SEIU); Judy Conti, National Employment Law Project; Andrea Dehlendorf, United for Respect; Vasudha Desikan United for Respect; Jasmine Dixon, United for Respect; Richard Eidlin, American Sustainable Business Council; Joseph Geevarghese, Our Revolution; Terrysa Guerra, United for Respect; Desiree Hoffman, United Automobile Workers; Shane Larson, Communications Workers of America; David Madland, Center for American Progress; Emily Martin, National Women’s Law Center; Michelle McGrain, National Partnership from Women & Families; Guled Mohamad, United for Respect; Josh Nassar, United Automobile Workers; Jackie Parncutt, United Auto Workers, General Motors worker; Dania Rajendra, United for Respect; Larriese Reeves, Santander Bank worker; Alex Ross, Wells Fargo worker; Bill Samuel, American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO); Heidi Shierholz, Economic Policy Institute

2012 CLW House victories

2012 Council for a Livable World House Victories were;

Ron Barber (D-AZ), Ami Bera (D-CA), Tim Bishop (D-NY) Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR), Bruce Braley (D-IA), Cheri Bustos (D-IL), Lois Capps (D-CA), Suzan DelBene (D-WA), Lois Frankel (D-FL), John Garamendi (D-CA), Joe Garcia (D-FL), Raul Grijalva (D-AZ), Colleen Hanabusa (D-HI), Denny Heck (D-WA), Steven Horsford (D-NV), Derek Kilmer (D-WA), Ann McLane Kuster (D-NH), Dave Loebsack (D-IA), Patrick Murphy (D-FL), Rick Nolan (D-MN), Raul Ruiz (D-CA), Brad Schneider(D-IL), Carol Shea-Porter(D–NH), Kyrsten Sinema (D-AZ),Mark Takano(D-CA) and John Tierney(D-MA)..

According to the Council for a Livable World website;

Mark Takano is a forceful progressive champion with a twenty year record as a local elected leader in California’s newly created 41st Congressional District...

Takano’s Japanese American heritage gives him a unique perspective on peace and nuclear disarmament. Takano’s grandfather was born in Hiroshima. Both of his parents and all four of his grandparents were interned by the US Government during World War II. In 2002, Takano visited the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum with his Aunt Kikue. This emotional and powerful experience helped reinforce Mark’s commitment to peace and nuclear disarmament..

Mark Takano’s personal understanding of the horrors of nuclear weapons lends a special credibility to his calls for disarmament. You can amplify this voice by helping to send him to the U.S. Congress.

CLW Inauguration event

Council for a Livable World and the Center for Arms Control and Non-Proliferation hosted an event on Monday, January 21, 2013 celebrating the second inauguration of President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden and theirr endorsed candidates in the 113th Congress. The event was held at the Phoenix Park Hotel ballroom across from Union Station and just two blocks from the U.S. Capitol.

A number of prestigious guests attended the event, including Senators Tammy Baldwin, Martin Heinrich, Angus King and Bernie Sanders, U.S. Representatives Suzan DelBene, Lois Frankel and Mark Takano, United Steel Workers International President Leo Gerard, host of The Ed Show on MSNBC, Ed Schultz and Vicki Hansen Thackray from the executive committee of Democrats Abroad.

Gary Collins, President of the board of Council for a Livable World, kicked off the celebration with a short speech highlighting the work of the Council during the 2012 election cycle.

United States Representatives Suzan DelBene (D-WA) and Mark Takano (D-CA) also addressed the reception audience.Rep. Takano spoke about his family, who were survivors of the nuclear bombing at Hiroshima during World War II. Their powerful stories have reinforced his interest in promoting peace.

Congressional Progressive Caucus

In January 2013, Mark Takano was listed as a new member of the Congressional Progressive Caucus.

In January 2015, Mark Takano was listed as a Vice Chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus.

Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus

In May 2013, Mark Takano was listed as the Whip of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus.

Asian American Action Fund supported candidate

In the 2012 election, Mark Takano was supported by the Asian American Action Fund.

In the 2014 election, Mark Takano was supported by the Asian American Action Fund.

No cuts rally

Scores of seniors came to the U.S. Capitol October 2013, joined hands with Members of Congress, and formed a human chain in opposition to the Chained CPI formula and all benefit cuts to Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid. The Congressional Progressive Caucus hosted the demonstration, as Alliance for Retired Americans members joined with Social Security Works and other allies. The event was emceed by Congressional Progressive Caucus Co-Chair Keith Ellison (D-MN). Other Members of Congress at the event included Reps. Cheri Bustos (IL); David Cicilline (RI); Yvette Clarke (NY); John Conyers (MI); Elijah Cummings (MD); Rosa DeLauro (CT); Alan Grayson (FL); Mike Honda (CA); Steven Horsford (NV); Barbara Lee (CA); Sheila Jackson Lee (TX); Alan Lowenthal (CA); Dan Maffei (NY); Carolyn Maloney (NY); Jerrold Nadler (NY); Mark Pocan (WI); Jan Schakowsky (IL); Mark Takano (CA); and Paul Tonko (NY).

Grayson/Takano letter

In early 2013 Mark Takano and Alan Grayson, with Progressive Democrats of America help, drafted a "line in the sand" letter to president Barack Obama, urging no cuts to Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security benefits.

Dear President Obama:

We join millions of Americans in applauding your Inaugural Address declaration that “we reject the belief that America must choose between caring for the generation that built this country and investing in the generation that will build its future.”

Democrats have built the most popular government programs in American history – including Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security -- by working with Republicans whenever possible and by defeating Republican opposition whenever necessary. The torch has been passed to today’s elected officials, and we must carry it forward boldly.

Voters across the political spectrum oppose cuts to Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security benefits, and we must do whatever it takes to protect these vital benefits from cuts.

That’s why we write to let you know that we will vote against any and every cut to Medicare, Medicaid, or Social Security benefits -- including raising the retirement age or cutting the cost of living adjustments that our constituents earned and need.

We firmly believe that the best way to reduce our deficit and make our economy grow is to create jobs, and we look forward to a returned focus on this core issue.

We also know that there are common-sense reforms that would reduce health-care costs and save taxpayers hundreds of billions of dollars without cutting benefits. If Republicans oppose these reforms, and insist on benefits cuts, that proves they are not concerned about the deficit – but instead are trying to tear the social safety net and cause pain for our constituents who can least absorb it.

Finally, Americans agree that there is more that must be done to require the rich and giant corporations to pay their fair share. Indeed, it is their patriotic duty to do so.

As you negotiate with Republicans, you deserve to know that millions of Americans and the below signed Members of Congress stand ready to fight for the principles listed above.

Sincerely,

Rep. Alan Grayson (D-FL), Rep. Mark Takano (D-CA), Rep. Keith Ellison (D-MN), Rep. Raul Grijalva (D-AZ),Rep. Maxine Waters (D-CA), Rep. Rick Nolan (D-MN), Rep. Marcy Kaptur (D-OH), Rep. Jim McGovern (D-MA), Rep. Luis Gutierrez (D-IL),Rep. Nydia Velazquez (D-NY), Rep. Barbara Lee (D-CA), Rep. Jose Serrano (D-NY)Rep. John Conyers (D-MI), Rep. Jerrold Nadler (D-NY), Rep. Grace Napolitano (D-CA),Rep. Alcee Hastings (D-FL), Rep. Corrine Brown (D-FL), Rep. Matt Cartwright (D-PA), Rep. Peter DeFazio (D-OR), Rep. Gene Green (D-TX), Rep. Danny Davis (D-IL), Rep. Kathy Castor (D-FL), Rep. Ed Markey (D-MA), Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-NY), Rep. Stephen Lynch (D-MA), Rep. William Lacy Clay (D-MO), Rep. Mike Honda (D-CA), Rep. Emanuel Cleaver (D-MO), Rep. David Cicilline (D-RI), Rep. Marcia Fudge (D-OH), Rep. Joyce Beatty (D-OH), Rep. Elijah Cummings (D-MD), Rep. Ann Kirkpatrick (D-AZ), Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee (D-TX), Rep. Tony Cardenas (D-CA), Rep. Donald Payne (D-NJ), Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX), Rep. Eni Faleomavaega (D-American Samoa), Rep. Donna Christensen (D - Virgin Islands), Hon. Pedro Pierluisi (Puerto Rico)

The following Representatives released supportive statements, but have not signed onto the Grayson-Takano letter:

• Rep. Ann McLane Kuster (NH-02)statement promising to vote against any cuts to Social Security, Medicare, or Medicaid benefits.
• Rep. Ami Bera (D-CA), : statement promising to vote against cuts to Social Security or Medicaid benefits.
• Rep. Chellie Pingree (D-ME): statement promising to vote against any cuts to Social Security, Medicare, or Medicaid benefits.
• Rep. Jared Huffman (CA-02): statement promising to vote against Chained CPI.
• Rep. Mark Pocan (D-WI): statement promising to vote against Chained CPI.
• Rep. Carol Shea-Porter (NH-01): statement promising to vote against Chained CPI.

Progressive Democrats of America claims - "Our team on the hill met with Rep. Mark Takano who thankedd us for our work on the Grayson/Takano letter".

Prosperity Not Austerity reception

Tim Carpenter introduces Mark Takano

April 17, 2013 Progressive Democrats of America hosted a Prosperity Not Austerity reception at Busboys and Poets, in Washington DC, featuring PDA National Board member Rep. John Conyers, Rep. Keith Ellison, Rep. Mark Takano, PDA National Board member Michael Lighty from National Nurses United and Rev. Lennox Yearwood.

Progressive Democrats of America, 2024

Progressive Democrats of America House endorsements 2024 Alma Adams, Becca Balint, Jamaal Bowman, Cori Bush, Greg Casar, Judy Chu, Debbie Dingell, Lloyd Doggett, Chuy Garcia, Raul Grijalva, Pramila Jayapal, Ro Khanna, Jim McGovern, Summer Lee, Joe Neguse, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Ilhan Omar, Mark Pocan, Ayanna Pressley, Delia Ramirez, Jamie Raskin, Jan Schakowsky, Rashida Tlaib, Mark Takano.

PDA 2020 endorsement

In 2020 Progressive Democrats of America endorsed Mark Takano's congressional run.

Tim Carpenter/PDA connection

From the Progressives Democrats of America website

Mark Takano made clear his strong ties to Tim Carpenter, and Progressive Democrats of America, in a "dear supporter" letter posted on the PDA website.

As a newly-elected Congressman, I know it takes a lot of work from grassroots volunteers to win election in the first place. It takes even more work to build support and deliver votes on Capitol Hill for humane, progressive policies.

So I wanted to thank all of you in the PDA community who helped me win my election last fall. I also wanted to thank PDA for working to build support for the "Line In The Sand" letter that Rep. Alan Grayson and I drafted to stand up against any cuts to Medicare, Medicaid, or Social Security benefits.

A few weeks ago, I had a good meeting with my friend Tim Carpenter. We discussed the need to educate people in our fight to save Social Security. Later, I joined Tim and many PDA supporters at Andy Shallal's great restaurant, Busboys & Poets. I really enjoyed that night. You can watch the video from that event and hear me discuss the Grayson / Takano "Line in the Sand" letter.

I've been impressed with PDA's growing Educate Congress campaign.

Thank you for visiting more than 100 district Congressional offices in both March and April. Thank you for making so many phone calls to support those visits. I can tell you, your hard work is paying off!

I know PDA volunteers will be visiting their local Congressional district offices again this May 15th. This very important work comes at a critical time, and I encourage you to help "Educate Congress" in person and on the phones.

The current battle against Social Security cuts is important for the legacy of the Democratic Party. We're fighting to protect the most important program of FDR's New Deal. I look forward to fighting alongside all of you in PDA for the heart and soul of our party:

• Fighting to protect Social Security.
• Fighting to extend and improve Medicare for All.
• Fighting to build the progressive wing of our party.
• Fighting to move this nation from austerity to prosperity.

Thank you for all you and PDA are doing for progressive politics in America.

"Raise Up America"

On June 21 at the Netroots Nation premiere of the Congressional Progressive Caucus campaign to "Raise Up America." At the Parque de los Pobladores event in San Jose , Rasheen Aldridge opened by saying you "can't survive on $7.35," eliciting a call-and-response from the crowd. Rasheen was there with another worker, Darius Chambers, both supported by Reps. Keith Ellison, D-Minn., Mark Takano, D-Calif., and Mark Pocan, D-Wis., to announce the new three-point campaign to help low-wage workers proposed by the Progressive Caucus.

• Raise the national minimum wage
• Make it easier for low wage workers to unionize
• Require living wages for workers hired by federal contractors.

Rep. Takano underscored his heartfelt support for this new initiative: "We stand in Congress on the side of the 99 percent against the one percent. So we need this campaign, we need to raise the minimum wage, we need to raise up the 99 percent of America."

Fred Ross award campaign

In early 2013, mainly Democratic Socialists of America aligned activists, together with many elected officials across the United States came together to urge President Barack Obama to award posthumously the Presidential Medal of Freedom to the legendary organizer, Fred Ross, Sr.. The Saul Alinsky trained radical was the first to organize people through house meetings, a mentor to both Cesar Chavez and DSAer Dolores Huerta, and a pioneer in Latino voter outreach since 1949 when he helped elect Communist Party USA affiliate Ed Roybal as Los Angeles’s first Latino council member, "Ross’ influence on social change movements remains strong two decades after his death in 1992".

Congressional endorsers of the proposal included Mark Takano.

PDA contact

In 2013 Progressive Democrats of America assigned activists to deliver their material to almost every US Congressman and Senator, Clifford Smith, was signed as the contact for Rep. Takano. In June it was Radene Hiers.

Endorsing Sciortino

Dennis Kucinich, a former Democratic Congressman from Ohio who had been one of the House’s most left-wing members, endorsed Massachusetts State Rep. Carl Sciortino in the 5th District congressional race, October 2013.

“The people of this district have a real opportunity to elect not just a worthy successor to Sen. (Edward) Markey but someone who’s been tested in the Massachusetts legislature on a wide range of social and economic issues, which resonate at a national level,” Kucinich said on a conference call sponsored by the Progressive Democrats of America.

Sciortino was not on the call.

Sciortino has been getting help nationally from progressive organizations and politicians. The Progressive Change Campaign Committee endorsed him and raised $21,000 for him from its supporters, according to the group. U.S. Rep. Alan Grayson, a Florida Democrat, and U.S. Rep. Mark Takano, a California Democrat, both leaders among progressives in Congress, have endorsed Sciortino.

JStreet endorsement

The socialist infiltrated, anti-Israel "two state solution" JStreet PAC endorsed Mark Takano in his 2014 Congressional race.

JStreet endorsed him again in 2016.

He has traveled to Israel on numerous occasions and strongly supports US efforts to broker a two-state solution.

ARA endorsements

The Alliance for Retired Americans Political Action Fund endorsed Mark Takano in 2012, 2014.

Phillips connection

Mark Takano, Steve Phillips, June 2014

Mark Takano has known Steve Phillips since circa 1992.

"Plotting and planning"

Steve Phillips November 7, 2013.

With dozens of awesome leaders in the bellwether Inland Empire plotting and planning and hearing from stellar Congressman Mark Takano — with Mark Takano, Tim Silard, Andrew Wong, Ludovic Blain and Sandra Perez Gonzalez at Ontario Airport Hotel and Conference Center.

PowerPAC+

PowerPAC+ is a political action committee formed in 2012 to build the political power of America’s multiracial majority. It emerged from the groundbreaking work of Vote Hope in 2007-08. At that time, then-Senator Barack Obama was assembling his Presidential campaign and California’s primary moved from June to a more influential month, February. "We created Vote Hope, the first super-PAC aimed at supporting Barack Obama’s bid for president. Vote Hope was the largest independent effort in the nation to increase voter turnout in communities of color. It drew in $10 million, and expanded to 18 states during the primary season".

Since then, PowerPAC+ has consulted with the leadership of the Democratic Party, organizations and campaigns about how to best build support in the communities of color.

Thanks to our many donors, we have been able to support some of the most exciting leaders to emerge in modern politics. From Hawaii Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard – a two-time veteran and first Samoan in Congress, to Congressman Mark Takano – the first non-white openly gay member of Congress, to Ohio Minority Whip Nina Turner – who is standing up for voting rights in this important swing state – our group of social justice champions represent an exciting future for American politics.

PowerPAC+ 2014 convention

PowerPAC+ June 25, 2014;

With Steve Phillips, Aimee Allison, Representative Marcia Fudge, Julie Martinez Ortega and Congressman Mark Takano at National Press Club Building.

Stacey Abrams, Mark Takano Julie Martinez Ortega.

Race Will Win the Race conference

PowerPAC+ June 25, 2014;

Today's the day! #WINin2014 Race Will Win the Race conference is finally here. Check out what's to come and join us on Twitter @PowerPAC_Plus using #WINin2014. — with Stacey Abrams, Cory Booker, Trey Martinez Fischer, Representative Marcia Fudge and Mark Takano in Washington, District of Columbia.

Plus speakers Aimee Allison, Deepak Bhargava, Susan Sandler, Steve Phillips, Ingrid Nava, Andy Wong, Subodh Chandra, Linda Hammond-Darling, Alida Garcia, Julie Martinez Ortega.

PowerPAC+ supported Elected and Appointed Leadership

The list of PowerPAC+ leaders is growing.

Here are the social justice champions we have helped elect.

• Stacey Abrams - Georgia State Assembly
• Pete Aguilar - U.S. Congress, California-31
• Hector Balderas - Attorney General, New Mexico
• Cory Booker - U.S. Senate, New Jersey
• Wendy Davis - Texas State Senate
• Jim Frazier - California State Assembly
• Pete Gallego - U.S. Congress, Texas-23
• Michelle Lujan Grisham - U.S. Congress, New Mexico-1
• Kamala Harris - Attorney General, California
• Mazie Hirono - U.S. Senate, Hawaii
• Mary Gonzalez - Texas State Legislature
• Mary Ann Perez - Texas State Legislature
• Mark Takano - U.S. Congress, California-41
• Michael Tubbs - Stockton City Council, California
• Marc Veasey - U.S. Congress, Texas-33
• Norman Yee - San Francisco Supervisor, California

Victory

Netroots Nation 2015

Speakers at Netroots Nation 2015, in Phoenix Arizona, one of the largest gatherings of progressives and the Democratic activist base, included Bernie Sanders, Martin O'Malley, Elizabeth Warren, Rosa DeLauro, Donna Edwards, Keith Ellison, Ruben Gallego, Raul Grijalva, Hank Johnson, Robin Kelly, Mark Takano.

MPAC intern

In 2022 Romael Khan was a Muslim Public Affairs Council Congressional Leadership Development Program intern in Mark Takano 's office.

Condemning Criticism of Islam legislation

On December 17, 2015, Rep. Don Beyer, Jr. introduced legislation condemning "violence, bigotry, and hateful rhetoric towards Muslims in the United States." The legislation is based on unsourced claims that there is a "rise of hateful and anti-Muslim speech, violence, and cultural ignorance," and a "disproportionate targeting" of "Muslim women who wear hijabs, headscarves, or other religious articles of clothing...because of their religious clothing, articles, or observances." The resolution, H.Res.569 - Condemning violence, bigotry, and hateful rhetoric towards Muslims in the United States

The legislation was cosponsored by Rep. Michael Honda, Rep. Keith Ellison, Rep. Joseph Crowley, Rep. Andre Carson, Rep. Eleanor Holmes Norton, Rep. Betty McCollum, Rep. Marcy Kaptur, Rep. Carolyn Maloney, Rep. Dan Kildee, Rep. Loretta Sanchez, Rep. Charles Rangel, Rep. Scott Peters, Rep. Brad Ashford, Rep. Alan Grayson, Rep. Mark Takai, Rep. Brian Higgins, Rep. William Keating, Rep. Raul Grijalva, Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, Rep. G.K. Butterfield, Rep. Gerry Connolly, Rep. Ruben Gallego, Rep. Cheri Bustos, Rep. John Delaney, Rep. Kathy Castor, Rep. Luis Gutierrez, Rep. Michael Quigley, Rep. Elizabeth Esty, Rep. Joseph Kennedy III, Rep. Robin Kelly, Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson, Rep. Greg Meeks, Rep. Grace Meng, Rep. Al Green, Rep. Katherine Clark, Rep. Adam Schiff, Rep. Alcee Hastings, Rep. Sam Farr, Rep. Frank Pallone, Rep. Jim McDermott, Rep. Barbara Lee, Rep. Donna Edwards, Rep. Robert Brady, Rep. Frederica Wilson, Rep. Michael Doyle, Rep. Albio Sires, Rep. Suzan DelBene, Rep. Judy Chu, Rep. Jared Polis, Rep. David Loebsack, Rep. Bill Pascrell, Rep. Debbie Dingell, Rep. Jan Schakowsky, Rep. Steve Cohen, Rep. Ruben Hinojosa, Rep. John Yarmuth, Rep. Niki Tsongas, Rep. Jim Langevin, Rep. Mark Pocan, Rep. John Conyers, Jr., Rep. Mark Takano, Rep. Tim Ryan, Rep. Jose Serrano, Rep. Hank Johnson, Rep. Paul Tonko, Rep. Zoe Lofgren, Rep. Chris Van Hollen, Rep. Lois Capps, Rep. David Price, Rep. Doris Matsui, Rep. Gwen Moore, Rep. Denny Heck, Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee, Rep. John Carney, Rep. Xavier Becerra, Rep. Eric Swalwell, Rep. John B. Larson, Rep. Dina Titus, Rep. Peter Welch, Rep. Lloyd Doggett, Rep. Jim Himes, Rep. Matt Cartwright.

Praising CAIR

“For the past two decades, CAIR has brought together community leaders, scholars, and activists to help promote and defend civil liberties.” - Rep. Mark Takano (D-Calif.).

“CAIR’s support of fellow Americans has benefited all who value our liberty and freedom.”

Rep. Mark Takano (D-Calif.) (October 2017).

CAIR LA

Mark Takano addressed a CAIR - Los Angeles banquet in November 2018.

Ayloush connection

Hussam Ayloush April 28 near Riverside, CA ·

One can't go to Riverside without meeting with Congressman Mark Takano.

At the CA LULAC State Convention.

NIAC connection

National Iranian American Council October 23, 2017:

We're coming to NY and LA to share exactly how we plan to stop Trump's #MuslimBan and #SaveTheIranDeal! Don't miss out on this chance to support our community.

Tickets for LA event: niacouncil.org/la — with Asieh Namdar, Congressman Mark Takano, Hooman Majd, Kia Hamadanchy, Trita Parsi, Michael Skolnik, Reza Marashi and Shayan Modarres.

Korean connections

Mark Takano is very close to the "progressive" Korean movement.

KC Choi connection

KC Choi with Mark Takano, Tammy Kim and K. Freeman Lee.

Asian Americans Demand a Clean DREAM Act

According to communications contacts Michelle Boykins, Marian Manapsal, Sam Yu;

Asian American Immigrant Youth and Allies Convene at the U.S. Capitol to Demand the Passage of a Clean DREAM Act Washington, D.C. – Wednesday, November 15, marks over 2 months since the Trump administration killed the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, putting the lives of immigrant youth immediately at risk for detention and deportation.

On November 15, over 120 Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) immigrant youth and leaders from across the country will convene to demand that the passing of a clean DREAM Act become Congress’s top priority before the end of the year.

Following the press conference, AAPI leaders will engage in a march and a rally as well as legislative visits urging key congressional targets to pass a clean DREAM Act by December 8th.

When: 11:00 AM ET | Wednesday, November 15, 2017

Where: House Triangle, United States Capitol, Washington, DC 20016

Who:

• Steve Li, – ASPIRE
• Saba Nafees, Ph. D. Candidate – Texas Tech University
• Jung Bin Cho, National Korean American Service & Education Consortium (NAKASEC)
• Congresswoman Judy Chu (CA-27), CAPAC Chair
• Congressman Mark Takano (CA-33), CAPAC Member
• Senator Kamala Harris (D-CA) (invited)
• Johanna Puno Hester, Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance (APALA)
• Patrick Carolan – Franciscan Action Network
• Additional CAPAC Members

SAALT Congressional Briefing on Hate Violence

March 23, 2017, South Asian Americans Leading Together (SAALT), a national South Asian civil rights organization, held a Congressional briefing to address the uptick in hate violence nationwide and highlight recommendations for change, as outlined in our recent report, “Power, Pain, Potential.” SAALT was joined by eight members of Congressional leadership and community partners in an urgent discussion on combatting the surge in hate violence aimed at South Asian, Muslim, Sikh, Hindu, Arab, and Middle Eastern Americans across the country.

“As President Trump continues to test fire Muslim bans, this administration appears intent on intensifying efforts to ignore and provoke hate violence,” stated Suman Raghunathan, Executive Director of SAALT. “The President has a sworn duty to protect the rights and safety of all Americans. Today’s briefing with Congressional leaders is an important step in making sure President Trump doesn’t escape his responsibilities.”

Our communities have experienced devastating violence in recent months, including deadly shootings in Kansas and Washington State, numerous arson attacks and vandalism of mosques, businesses, and homes nationwide, and mounting fear by our communities across the country.

“SAALT stands ready to work with Congressional leaders to fight hate violence and xenophobic political rhetoric impacting our communities across the country,” stated Ms. Raghunathan. “South Asian Americans are the most rapidly growing demographic group, and we are committed to policies at all levels that reinforce the place our communities have in our nation now and as we continue to grow.”

Honorary Co-Chairs of the briefing included: Senator Mazie Hirono (HI); Senator Richard Blumenthal (CT); Senator Ben Cardin (MD)

Member Co-Sponsors of the briefing included: Congressmembers Keith Ellison, Andre Carson; Raul Grijalva; Ami Bera; Grace Meng; Mark Takano; Pramila Jayapal; Raja Krishnamoorthi; Ro Khanna. Judy Chu also attended.

Partner organizations include: Sikh Coalition, Washington Peace Center/D.C. Justice for Muslims Coalition, American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee, Arab American Institute.

Meeting with the Cuban technology entrepreneurs

Posted on May 13, 2016.

Cuba Working Group meeting on Capitol Hill with the Cuban technology entrepreneurs behind Ke Hay Pa’ Hoy?, a digital media platform that builds on Information and Communications Technologies (ICT) to promote the Cuban cultural product.

Creators Juan Luis Santana Barrios, Juan Alejandro Hernandez Perez and Sergio Leon Gonzalez spoke about their business and challenges and opportunities for technology development in Cuba with Representatives Mark Takano (CA-41) and Kathy Castor (FL-14). Castor is a co-chair of the bipartisan Cuba Working Group.

Progressive Summit

Yasmine Taeb February 6, 2017:

I joined fellow activists and members of Congress at the annual Progressive Summit yesterday to discuss our strategy for the first 100 days of the 115th Congress. My message to attendees: organize, mobilize, and fight, fight, fight. We need to continue to resist the disastrous policies of this administration and will need our allies in the Progressive Caucus to stand with us every step of the way -- to join us in the streets to protest and engage in acts of civil disobedience. These are extraordinary times and demand extraordinary actions. — at The Lord Baltimore Raddison Hotel.

Onstage with John Nichols, Jan Schakowsky, Mark Takano.

Humanitarian Needs in Cuba letter

December 16 2021 , House Rules Committee Chair James McGovern (D-MA), House Foreign Affairs Committee Chair Gregory Meeks (D-NY), House Appropriations subcommittee on State and Foreign Operations Chair Barbara Lee (D-CA), and House Energy and Commerce subcommittee on Energy Chair Bobby Rush (D-IL) led 114 Members of Congress in a letter to President Biden asking him to prioritize the well-being of the Cuban people as they experience the worst economic and humanitarian crisis in recent history...

In the wake of this year’s protests, the members urged the administration to support the Cuban people by suspending U.S. regulations that prevent food, medicine, remittances, and other humanitarian assistance from reaching the Cuban people...

Signatories included Mark Takano.

CUBA: LGBTQ Exchange Delegation

Posted on October 17, 2017.

From October 14-17, Center for Democracy in the Americas organized a delegation to Havana to advance dialogue and mutual exchange between U.S. and Cuban LGBTQ communities.

The delegation included Representative Mark Takano (CA-41), former Speaker of the New York City Council Christine Quinn, and other leaders in U.S. civil society. The trip made Rep. Takano the first U.S. Member of Congress to visit Cuba in the aftermath of the State Department’s announcement that it would shrink its diplomatic mission in Havana and reciprocally expel Cuban diplomats from the U.S. He also became the first Member of Congress to directly engage with Cuban officials in Havana since President Trump’s June announcement that he would instruct his administration to increase restrictions on trade with and travel to Cuba. The delegation met with U.S. and Cuban government officials, as well as members of Cuban civil society including artists and academics.

In a news release, Takano, who is the first openly gay person of color to be elected to Congress, said that while his visit “focused on questions regarding the country’s embrace of the LGBT community, it also gave me a chance to assess the impact of the Trump administration’s recent actions on our embassy personnel and the people of Cuba.”

“Direct engagement” is the best tool for positively changing Cuba, Takano argued.

“The improving situation for the country’s LGBT population is a sign that such process is possible. I am concerned that the administration’s heated rhetoric and hasty actions will do lasting damage to the Cuban people, and further entrench the most hardline elements of the current regime.”

"Anti-trans violence resolution"

Rep. Keith Ellison (D-Minn.), introduced a resolution in September 2017 against anti-trans violence, specifically noting violence against transgender women of color.

Ellison said in a statement Monday the Transgender Day of Remembrance “takes on even more significance” in 2017 as a result of the significant rate of violence against transgender people.

“We also recognize that the victims of this violence are almost all transgender women and transgender women of color,” Ellison said. “This is an important day, but we should not consider our jobs done because we’ve observed this one day. Instead, we must commit ourselves to the principle of liberty and justice for all and ensure everyone is safe to live and thrive in their community.”

Ellison’s resolution observes transgender women of color are more likely than white transgender women to face mistreatment by police, an assumption they’re sex workers and incarceration in prison.

Among other things, the resolution calls for ending racial profiling in law enforcement practices; ending the practice of placing transgender people in solitary confinement; and ending the practice of immigration detention for vulnerable populations, including transgender people.

Co-sponsors of that resolution are Raul Grijalva, Joe Kennedy III as well as Rep. Barbara Lee (D-Calif.), Rep. Mark Pocan (D-Wis.), Mark Takano (D-Calif.) and Sean Patrick Maloney (D-N.Y.).

Medicare For All Congressional Caucus founders

In August 2018 Medicare For All Congressional Caucus founding members included Representative Mark Takano.

National Nurses United endorsement

National Nurses United 2018 endorsements in California included:

• U.S. House of Representatives, CA-01 – Audrey Denney
• U.S. House of Representatives, CA-03 – John Garamendi
• U.S. House of Representatives, CA-17 – Ro Khanna
• U.S. House of Representatives, CA-27 – Judy Chu
• U.S. House of Representatives, CA-41 – Mark Takano
• U.S. House of Representatives, CA-45 – Katie Porter
• U.S. House of Representatives, CA-47 – Alan Lowenthal
• U.S. House of Representatives, CA-48 – Harley Rouda
• U.S. House of Representatives, CA-50 – Ammar Campa-Najjar

"Green New Deal"

From the Sunrise Movement:

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez has released a proposal for a Select Committee on a Green New Deal, a plan that would transform our economy and society at the scale needed to stop the climate crisis.

We have the momentum to make a Green New Deal real, but we need a critical mass of Congresspeople to support the proposal.

Take action on Dec. 10 to show Congress the Green New Deal is a top priority.

Congressional supporters by December 20 2018 included Mark Takano.

HR 109 endorser

By February 20 2019 endorsers of Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez's HR 109 (Green New Deal) included Mark Takano.

Medicare for All Act

In February 2019 Rep. Pramila Jayapal introduced H.R.1384 - Medicare for All Act of 2019. By May 29 she had 110 co-sponsors including Rep. Mark Takano.

External links

• Campaign Website