Assemblyman Carmelo Garcia to Attend Nation's Largest Summit for Young Elected Leaders

Carmelo Garcia to Attend Nation's Largest Summit for Young Elected Leaders
Will Join 120 Progressive Elected Officials in Los Angeles

Next week, Carmelo Garcia – Assemblyman for New Jersey’s 33rd Legislative District, will meet with fellow elected officials and national leaders in Los Angeles at the ninth annual national convening of People For the American Way Foundation’s Young Elected Officials Network. At the convening, which is the largest gathering of young elected leaders in the country, Garcia will participate in issue-based training sessions and share best practices with nearly 120 fellow progressive elected officials from across the country. 

Garcia, was elected to the Assembly in January 2014. As a charter/founding member of the Young Elected Officials Network, he will bring his own unique perspective to the convening, sharing his experience with others.

Garcia looks most forward to gaining valuable insight, by give and take discussions with other young elected officials, on legislative action and programs that are working for their constituents and comparing actions taken to address concerns  at all levels of society that can provide a positive impact at the local, national and global level.

The Young Elected Officials (YEO) Network, a project of People For the American Way Foundation, is composed of more than 800 federal, state, and local elected officials ages 18 to 35 from all 50 states. It is the first national initiative to provide a network of support to young elected officials who share the values of freedom, fairness, and opportunity.

The theme of this year’s convening is “Of, By and For the People,” reflecting the YEO Network’s belief in the importance of elected leaders fighting for democratic reforms to address widening inequality and ongoing attacks on our constitutional rights. At the convening, young elected officials will discuss policy solutions on topics ranging from economic justice and voting rights to environmental sustainability. Attendees will hear from distinguished speakers including:

• Former Secretary of Labor Hilda Solis
• Congresswoman Donna Edwards (D-Md.)
• Civil rights legend and affiliate People For the American Way board member Dolores Huerta

“Every one of these young elected leaders is making a real difference in their community,” said Andrew Gillum, director of youth leadership programs at People For the American Way Foundation. “But when they come together with fellow progressive elected officials to share ideas and best practices, the impact of their work is multiplied exponentially. With this convening, the Young Elected Officials Network is giving young leaders the tools they need to make an even bigger mark on their country.”