Funeral services for Senator Jenny Oropeza will be Monday, October 25, 2010 at 1:00pm at Forest Lawn, 4471 Lincoln Avenue, Cypress, CA 90630. The services will be open to the public.
UPDATE Friday 6:30pm | Former California State Assembly Speaker Karen Bass issued the following statement:
“At today’s rally with the President there was a notable absence–Senator Jenny Oropeza, who should have been there sharing her typical passion, energy and good humor. Jenny was a friend and colleague. A woman who believed strongly in mentoring others and helping them succeed. In the Assembly and Senate she was a force to be reckoned with for her constituents and for the causes she held dear. Jenny Oropeza worked so hard to build a brighter future for others it’s a shame her own future did not have all the years that she deserved. As I join today with so many of my colleagues in promoting the values and vision that we share, I am also thinking about Jenny Oropeza, and sending my thoughts and prayers to her family and many friends.”
UPDATE Friday 6:30pm | Los Angeles County Supervisor Don Knabe issued the following statement:
“I am deeply saddened to learn of the passing of my dear friend, Senator Jenny Oropeza, one of the most generous and well respected members of the State Senate. I had the honor of working with Senator Oropeza at every level of elected office she held and saw firsthand her dedication to public service. Jenny always had a steadfast passion for the wellbeing and quality of life for those she represented. Our thoughts and prayers are with her family during this difficult time. Jenny, a true public servant, will be sorely missed.”
UPDATE Friday 1:50pm | Lambda Democratic Club President Cory Allen issued the following statement:
“On behalf of the Lambda Democratic Club, it is with great sadness and shock that we mourn the loss of a great leader and friend, State Senator Jenny Oropeza. Throughout her many years of public service, her unwavering support in the fight for LGBT equality and justice, even when it was unpopular, gave courage and inspiration to many. I know she will live on in our hearts and will always be remember for her work and dedication on behalf of the LGBT community. Our thoughts are with her family and friends.”
UPDATE Thursday 3:20pm | The Service Employees International Union (SEIU) California President Bill A. Lloyd has issued the following statement:
“Jenny Oropeza was a champion for working families and a fighter who never forgot that California is stronger when a hard day’s work is rewarded with decent pay, when our kids’ dreams are unlimited, and when our families are healthy. As past chairwoman of the Assembly budget committee during California’s last economic crisis, Jenny stood firm to protect the vital safety net services that California’s families needed then, and need more than ever now. We will miss her voice in the State Capitol.
“On behalf of the 700,000 working women and men of the Service Employees International Union in California, I extend to Jenny’s family our deep condolences and our promise that we will never give up Jenny’s fight to improve the lives of California’s next generation.”
UPDATE Thursday 3:00pm | Assembly Speaker John Pérez has issued the following statement:
“I was tremendously saddened to learn that Senator Oropeza has passed away. From the time I worked with her on the Long Beach City Council, through our service together in the Legislature, I know she was a leader of conscience and compassion, and was an able and talented representative of her constituents. I know we will all miss her charm and cheerful smile, and my thoughts and prayers are with her family, constituents and staff at this time.”
UPDATE Thursday 1:20pm | The Long Beach Democratic Club has issued the following statement:
“It is with great sadness and regret that we mourn the passing of our courageous and passionate State Senator Jenny Oropeza. Jenny was an inspiring and dedicated public servant whose career is a testament to the power of diversity, hard work, and grass roots democracy. We will miss her and always remember her as an extraordinary advocate for the environment, women’s rights, children, education, and for the needs of her entire community. Our thoughts are with her husband, Tom and her family, friends, staff and colleagues.”
UPDATE Thursday 11:40am | Long Beach Mayor Bob Foster has issued the following statement:
“I am shocked and saddened to hear of the sudden passing of Senator Oropeza. She was a Long Beach trailblazer who served many years of dedicated public service to our city as a school board member, a councilmember, Assemblymember and Senator. Our thoughts and prayers are with Senator Oropeza’s family and friends.”
UPDATE Thursday 11:30am | Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger issued the following statement:
“I was deeply saddened to learn of the death of Senator Oropeza. She was a true public servant who positively impacted the lives of all Californians. Jenny was a champion for improving public health and her leadership will be missed. As she battled her own health issues, she remained dedicated to her constituents by fighting to improve the environment, transportation, cancer prevention and the lives of veterans. On behalf of all Californians, Maria and I send our deepest condolences to Jenny’s colleagues, friends and loved ones as they mourn this loss.”
UPDATE Thursday 11:20am | Senate President pro Tempore Darrell Steinberg (D-Sacramento) issued the following statement on behalf of the California State Senate:
“It is with great sadness that the Senate has learned of the death of Senator Jenny Oropeza, a true public servant and a cherished part of our legislative family. She carried on her responsibilities through great physical challenge, which is an inspiration for all of us, and for that service we are grateful.
She has been a champion on issues of cancer prevention, monitoring toxins in our environment, and transportation funding and safety.
She played an important leadership role in the senate as the Democratic Caucus Chair and a member of our Senate Rules Committee.
Our hearts go out to her devoted husband Tom, her family, and her dedicated Senate staff. In the course of this legislative session, the Senate has faced incredible challenges, and more than its share of sadness. Let us take a moment of our time, in remembering Jenny, to reflect on our Capitol family, our friendships, and our importance to each other as colleagues.
Information regarding her memorial services will be forthcoming.”
UPDATE Thursday 11:15am | Long Beach Area Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Randy Gordon released the following statement today on the passing of State Senator Jenny Oropeza.
“The Long Beach Chamber is saddened by the passing of State Senator Jenny Oropeza. She was a long-time friend of mine personally, and professionally she was a friend of the Long Beach Chamber. We worked on many issues together from her time on the School Board, City Council, State Assembly and most recently in the State Senate.
“We had some disagreements on policy issues but she was always willing to listen to our side. When we agreed on a issue, we focused on opportunities to work together to get the job done. In over two decades of public service the one thing that was constant with Jenny is that she fought hard for what she believed in, she was always accessible to debate and discuss what was best for Long Beach, and most importantly she had a deep love and affection for the people of our great city. Jenny will be missed.”
Thursday 9:15am | Jenny Oropeza died at Long Beach Memorial Hospital on Wednesday night at the age of 53, according to reports from the Capitol Weekly. She had been out of work for months after being diagnosed with a blood clot in her abdomen.
Oropeza represented Long Beach in the State Senate’s 28th District, and was expected to easily win re-election to another four-year term in just a few weeks. If she wins, a special election will be held to fill the position.
Beginning in 1988, she represented her hometown on the Long Beach School Board, was the first-ever Latina elected to the Long Beach City Council, and also served in the California State Assembly from 2000-2006. As State Senator for the 28th District, she also represented cities along the Pacific coast including Torrance, Manhattan Beach, Marina del Rey and parts of Los Angeles.
Earlier this year, after experiencing shortness of breath, Oropeza was diagnosed with a blood clot in her abdomen and though her staff predicted a full recovery, Oropeza was out of work for several months. It is not yet clear if the blood clot was the cause of her death. More information surrounding the circumstances of her death are expected today.