The California High-Speed Rail Authority (Authority) Board of Directors honored Assemblywoman Bonnie Lowenthal (D-Long Beach) with a commendation at their monthly meeting on October 14, 2014. The Board adopted a resolution recognizing Assemblywoman Lowenthal for her leadership and unmatched vision in proactively addressing California’s long-term environmental, economic and mobility needs, including California’s high-speed rail program.

“Since her election to office in 2008, Assemblywoman Lowenthal has shown her commitment to pushing California’s transportation system past the status quo,” said Authority Board Chair Dan Richard. “Ms. Lowenthal has been a constant champion for improving California’s passenger rail system. Our progress in bringing the nation’s first high-speed rail system to California is directly tied to her efforts while in office.”

“I’m grateful for the hard work of the Authority and its staff in moving this project from vision to reality,” said Lowenthal (D-Long Beach), Chair of the Assembly Transportation Committee. “I firmly believe that high-speed rail is the key to building a brighter future for all Californians and our best hope for bountiful jobs, transformed communities and fast, efficient, clean transportation to meet the demands of our growing population.”

Assemblywoman Lowenthal was elected to represent Assembly District 54 (subsequently Assembly District 70) in 2008 after serving two terms on the Long Beach City Council, two terms on the Long Beach Unified School District, and on the Alameda Corridor Transportation Authority and the Metropolitan Transportation Authority. Ms. Lowenthal was appointed chair of the Assembly Committee on Transportation in 2010 by then-Speaker John A. Perez, becoming ex-officio member of the California Transportation Commission, where she oversees public investment in highway, passenger rail and transportation projects.

(Source: CHSRA)