The September Arizona Public Health Association conference on the opioid crisis was a real eye-opener. As a public health advocate, tackling the opioid crisis has been one of my top priorities since I began running for office. For the latest Arizona information, check out these slides presented by Arizona Department of Health Services. In the above photo, I am with former Legislator Debbie McCune-Davis, AzPHA Executive Director and former ADHS Director Will Humble, and Dr. Daniel Derksen from the UA College of Public Health. Watch for opioid epidemic legislation from the Governor and from the House Democratic Caucus in 2018. I plan to reintroduce the 911 Good Samaratan bill which will save lives of people during an overdose situation.

Rep. Reginold Bolding (far right in the above photo) was the keynote speaker at the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People’s (NAACP) annual gala in Tucson in October. We were surprised and honored to be seated at the front table with Rep. Bolding and Arizona NAACP President Charles R. Fanniel and his wife Lucille (above) and local NAACP President Doris J. Snowden and her husband (not pictured).

My seat mate Dr. Randy Friese and his wife Susan were also there. Here are Jim and I with the Frieses.

It was a delight and an honor to chat with United Farm Workers organizer and labor icon Dolores Huerta at a recent event in her honor. Congressman Raul Grijalva organized the reception before the screening of Dolores at The Loft Cinema, in LD9. When I learned Spanish in the 1960s, I learned about Cesar Chavez, the struggle of the farm workers, and the boycotts, but Dolores’ role was left out of the story. Now, we have the opportunity to learn about her and from her.