Politicians stress student votes

By Suzanne Johnson, On-Line Forty-Niner

Thursday, October 1, 1998

The fact that the government is making life decisions for citizens should motivate students to vote, said Jenny Oropeza, Long Beach city council member, Wednesday afternoon at Cal State Long Beach's University Student Union terrace.

Oropeza, Julie Alban - a deputy city prosecutor for Long Beach - and State Assembly Representative Cil Cedillo stressed just how important it is for students to vote.

"Sacramento responds to those who vote. If you don't vote, you've got no advocate," Oropeza said. "The squeaky wheel gets the grease. It is more critical than ever that the voice of the future be heard in this election."

Cedillo challenged students attending Rock the Vote to think about what an election and the concept of voting means to their lives and communities.

"Heroes in this country have died so that you will have the freedom to vote," he said. "Vote as if your life depends on it because in many instances, the quality of it does."

Besides encouraging students to vote, Alban also delved into her personal life.

Alban was a victim of domestic violence 10 years ago. Her boyfriend shot her in the back, then turned the gun on himself. While he recovered from his self-inflicted wounds and served 7.5 years in prison, Alban received a life sentence, she said. She is paralyzed from the waist down.

For the past four years, Alban has been working as a prosecutor, specializing in domestic violence cases. She recognized the extreme sacrifices students must make to attend school, but emphasized that education creates a level playing field in the career world.

Alban presented her idea of reimbursing tuition fees to those who pursue teaching credentials.

"We need to attract the best and brightest," she said.

Robert Perez, Associated Students Inc. administrator, said that if students join together, they will have the power to lobby, negotiate, and be reckoned with.

According to Perez, approximately 100 students have registered to vote within the past three days.

CSULB President Robert Maxson agreed with Perez and urged students to "be active, be involved and be good citizens."

The general election will be held Nov. 3.