SENATOR CHUCK POOCHIGIAN HONORED AT LOS ANGELES AREA DINNER FOR
CALIFORNIA ATTORNEY GENERAL CAMPAIGN
LOS ANGELES, January 19 (Noyan Tapan). California State Senator Chuck
Poochigian (R-Fresno) was honored at a dinner in support of his
campaign for Attorney General held at Sheraton Universal Hotel in
Universal City on Thursday, January 13, 2005. The dinner program
featured California’s 35th Governor, George Deukmejian, who also
served as Attorney General. Dr. Joan Otomo-Corgel, a longtime
Poochigian family friend was the emcee for the event. Governor
Deukmejian was introduced by former California Congressman and
Assemblyman Steve Kuykendall. Governor Deukmejian offered remarks on
the history and importance of the office of Attorney General and
praised Poochigian and his wife, Debbie, for their work in government
and politics. He warmly introduced Senator Poochigian to approximately
500 enthusiastic dinner guests. Senator Poochigian spoke about his
preparation for the office beginning with his work as a member of the
senior staff to Governors Deukmejian and Pete Wilson. His
responsibilities had included considerable work in assisting in the
selection of members of the judiciary and seeking men and women for
appointment who were highly respected, hard-working, and committed to
the rule of law. He spoke of the importance of similar qualities in
the state’s chief law officer who, in the ideal, should judiciously
carry out the duties of the office. Senator Poochigian spoke about the
challenges of conducting a statewide race and the necessity of having
strong involvement of committed supporters throughout California. He
encouraged guests to actively participate in the campaign and to
encourage others to join in the effort. Entertainment was provided by
Fred Travalena, a renowned singer, impressionist, comedian and song
writer who has performed internationally on stage and screen. Jill
Simonian, who is a television host of World Entertainment Connections,
sang the National Anthem and closed the evening with a wonderful
rendition of America the Beautiful. First elected to the Legislature
in 1994, Chuck Poochigian has in the course of two Assembly and Senate
terms, represented Central California from Bakersfield to the
Sacramento county line. He has been in the leadership of the
Republican Caucus for his entire time in the Legislature – beginning
in his first term when he chaired the Appropriations Committee and was
named “Republican Rookie of the Year” (in a class of 22). He has had a
distinguished legislative career with many important legislative
accomplishments in the fields of education, business and law
enforcement. Most recently, he was the author of comprehensive
legislation sponsored by Governor Schwarzenegger to reform
California’s workers’ compensation system.
