Rep. Ed Royce “disgusted” by killing of American journalist

 Today, U.S. Rep. Ed Royce, Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, issued this statement following the purported killing of American journalist Steven Sotloff:
 
“I am disgusted by what appears to be another horrendous killing of an American journalist at the hands of ISIS.  My thoughts and prayers are with Steven Sotloff’s family.  Sadly, ISIS is bringing this barbarity across the region – beheading and crucifying those who don’t share their dark ideology.  The threat from this group seems to grow by the day.  Working with key allies, the United States needs to be acting urgently to arm the Kurds on the ground who are fighting them, and targeting ISIS from the air with drone strikes.”

Walnut Rotary welcomes new international president from Taiwan

New Rotary International President Gary Huang promises to “light up” the worldwide service club. Only a month into his term, Huang lit up the banquet room of the Diamond Bar Golf Course on Friday.

The Rotary Club of Walnut Valley hosted the reception for the new president from Taiwan. Huang noted he was the first Chinese president in the Rotary’s 109 year history.

The service club is one of the oldest and largest organizations in the world, with more than 1.2 million members. Rotary International has led the way on important global issues like polio.

“With the help of the United States government, Rotary International has reduced polio by 90 percent,” Huang said. “And with their continued support, we will eradicate this disease.”

The club has saved millions of children since its first project to vaccinate children in the Philippines in 1979. In fact, Rotarians have helped immunize more than 2 billion children against polio in 122 countries. Now it wants to eradicate the disease forever.

“The people we are helping are my grandchildren and your children all over the world,” Huang explained. “Because we decided we are going to keep them safe.”

Working with the World Health Organization, Rotary International hopes to announce a polio free world by the end of 2018. Huang pointed out there were more than 450,000 cases of polio in 125 countries only 30 years ago. But now only three countries reported less than 400 cases this year.

“We are this close to ending polio,” Huang said, “and many of you have contribute to this incredible job.”

The new Rotary president lauded people like Rep. Ed Royce (R-Rowland Heights) for being a champion in the fight against polio. Royce later received an award for his hard work from Huang.

Read more in Rich Irwin’s story ROTARY.

Ed Royce speaks at reception for Rotary President in Diamond Bar

Gary C.K. Huang, President of Rotary International, will attend the Rotary International reception on Aug. 8  from noon to 2 p.m. at Diamond Bar Golf Course. Huang is the first Taiwanese president of Rotary International in its 109 year history.

With 1.2 million members, Rotary International is one of the largest and oldest Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) in the world. Rotary International takes leadership role on important global issues.

At the upcoming Rotary International reception, he will talk about the vision for the 2014-2015 Rotary year.  He will also share his values, business experiences and life as Rotarian. U.S. Representative Ed Royce, a long-time friend, will be the event’s guest speaker.

As head of Rotary International, Mr. Huang has dedicated his efforts to developing membership throughout Asia by setting a recruitment goal of 100 new donor-foundations in Taiwan to help celebrate Rotary’s centennial. His accomplishments added more than $2 million to the foundation’s annual fund.

 

Ed Royce Applauds House Vote to Support Israel

Today, U.S. Rep. Ed Royce (R-CA), Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, applauded House passage of H. Res. 657, which expresses support for Israel as it defends itself against unprovoked rocket attacks from the Hamas terrorist organization.

The adopted measure includes a Royce amendment that calls attention to the destabilizing role that Iran continues to play and recognizes the close cooperation between the United States and Israel.  Following the resolution’s unanimous passage, the Chairman issued the following statement:

“Today, the House reaffirmed its support for Israel to take all necessary and appropriate action to defend its citizens. Hamas and their supporters remain committed to armed struggle against Israel’s right to exist–as they deliberately target Israeli population centers using many weapons provided by Iran. With these threats arrayed against Israel, we will continue stand with the Israeli people.”

U.S. Transportation Secretary to visit Nogales St. project on Friday

Artist rendering of the new Nogales Street railroad underpass.

Artist rendering of the new Nogales Street railroad underpass.

U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx will join U.S. Representatives Grace Napolitano and Ed Royce, and members of the Alameda Corridor-East (ACE) Construction Authority to visit the Nogales Street highway-rail grade separation project on Friday morning.

The busy boulevard will close to traffic at 6 a.m. Saturday for a two-year project to separate the road from the railroad grade. Once completed, the roadway underpass and railroad bridge will eliminate collisions, delays for emergency
responders and train horn noise and reduce traffic congestion and vehicle emissions.

Secretary Foxx will also tour the nearby confluence of State Routes 60 and 57 for a briefing on improvement plans.

U.S. Rep Ed Royce welcomes guests to Rowland Heights office

U.S. Rep. Ed Royce, R-Rowland Heights, center, receives certificate from Dickie Simmons, field rep for L.A. County Supervisor Don Knabe. Looking on from left are Diamond Bar City Councilwoman Carol Herrera, Ed Ebenkamp with Rowland Heights Community Council, Simmons, Walnut Mayor Mary Su and Councilman Tony Cartagena. (Staff photo by Watchara Phomicinda)

The East San Gabriel Valley welcomed its newest U.S. representative to the first congressional office in the valley last week. Rep. Ed Royce, R-Rowland Heights, greeted city officials and residents during a grand opening of his new office in Rowland Heights.

“It’s fantastic to offer services to six new cities in my district,” said Royce, who represents the newly drawn 39th Congressional District. He added Hacienda Heights, Rowland Heights, Diamond Bar, Walnut, Chino Hills and La Habra Heights.

The smiling congressman was warmly greeted by city officials and local residents in his new office in the Diamond Plaza. The second floor office overlooks the busy Pomona Freeway.

“If you have any problems in any way with the federal government, we’re here to help you with those challenges,” Royce told the group.

The 11-term congressman had spent the day reaching out to the community. Earlier, he had talked to the Rotary Club, before speaking to a civics class at Los Altos High School in Hacienda Heights.

Read more in Rich Irwin’s story ROYCE.

Congressman Ed Royce welcomes residents to Rowland Heights office

East San Gabriel Valley residents Tuesday welcomed their new congressman, Rep. Ed Royce, R-Rowland Heights. Royce, who represents the newly drawn 39th Congressional District, greeted local officials at the grand opening of his new district office at Diamond Plaza overlooking the 60 Freeway.

Among those in attendance were: Walnut Mayor Mary Su and Councilman Tony Cartagena; Diamond Bar Council members Ling-Ling Chang and Carol Herrera; Hacienda Heights Improvement Association board member Sandy Keat and Rowland Heights Community Coordinating Council members Lynne and Ted Ebenkamp.

“If you have any problems in any way with the federal government, we’re here to help you with those challenges,” Royce told the group. “It’s fantastic to offer services to six new cities in my district.”

The office address is 1380 S. Fullerton Road, Suite 205. Royce also opened a new office in Brea. “This will be a big benefit to the community,” said Lynne Ebenkamp.