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| Affiliation | Democratic |
|
| Name | Dennis A. Cardoza |
| Address |
Merced, California , United States |
| Email | None |
| Website | [Link] |
| Born |
March 31, 1959
(65 years)
|
| Contributor | Barack O-blame-a |
| Last Modifed | David
Feb 12, 2023 08:12am |
| Tags |
Hispanic - Married - Catholic - Christian - Straight -
|
| Info | 1984-1987: Member, Atwater City Council
1994-1996: Member, Merced City Council
Dennis Cardoza (D-Merced) has played a prominent role in representing the people of California�s heartland. Elected in 1996 to the first of three very effective terms in the State Assembly, Dennis helped forge the Moderate Caucus of Democrats in the California State Assembly. He has been honored by a wide group of Valley organizations for his efforts to cut taxes, help family farms, promote education and safety issues for children. He has been named �Legislator of the Year� by the California Sheriff�s Association for his work on behalf of peace officers to eradicate methamphetamine production in the Valley. The University of California also honored him as Legislator of the Year for his efforts on behalf of U.C. Merced. Further, the Small Business Roundtable and Small Business Association honored him as 2001 Legislator of the Year.
Mr. Cardoza�s political work began during his university years, when he interned in Washington, DC, for Rep. Martin Frost (D-Texas). The first college graduate from the Cardoza family, Dennis focused on developing a successful small business. He is proud to say that he has signed both sides of a paycheck. His belief that government and business can and should work together as partners led Dennis to run for, and win a seat on the Atwater City Council in 1984.
In 1994, Dennis was appointed to the Merced City Council. His council-related duties on the Merced County Regional Solid Waste Board, the Merced County Association of Governments, and the Atwater Redevelopment Agency provided invaluable experience on dealing with a wide range of important local and county issues.
Dennis Cardoza has developed a reputation as a champion of effective common-sense solutions to the challenges facing 21st Century California. He authored what was then the largest tax cut ever to pass the Legislature, which has returned 5 billion to California vehicle owners through significant and ongoing reductions of license fees.
Dennis has been a strong and effective advocate for the families of men and women who serve our country. He has been a great friend of veterans of all conflicts and wars, and has worked on their behalf as a member of the Governor�s Commission on Veteran�s Homes.
During his freshman term in the California Assembly, he wasted no time in authoring urgency legislation to provide tax relief for those hard hit by the ruinous losses resulting from the devastating floods of 1997. Never forgetting his roots, he carried many pieces of legislation to stimulate the local economy, and has worked to ensure small communities in his district were not left behind in the digital revolution.
Dennis has also been a champion of education for all. He has been relentless in his efforts to establish a University of California campus in the Central Valley. U.C. Merced, once a dream of Valley educators, students and parents is now slated to open its campus doors in 2004. There are already branches operating in Fresno, Bakersfield and Modesto, making a U.C. education more accessible and affordable to the residents of the Central Valley.
Despite his quick rise to a prominent position in the Assembly, Dennis has never forgotten his agricultural roots. His grandparents emigrated from the Azores Islands of Portugal in the first part of the 20th Century to farm the rich Merced County soil. The Cardoza family raised dairy cattle and grew sweet potatoes, almonds, watermelons, wheat, oats and alfalfa.
While serving as Chair of the Assembly Agriculture Committee, Dennis distinguished himself by helping urban legislative colleagues to understand the importance of the farming communities that dot the Central Valley to the people of the entire state and its economic health.
In November of 2002, Dennis was elected to the United States House of Representatives to represent California�s 18th district, which includes Merced County and portions of San Joaquin, Stanislaus, Madera and Fresno Counties. He serves on the House Committee on Resources and the House Committee on Agriculture, arguably the two most critical committees for the Central Valley. Additionally, Cardoza serves on the Committee on Science, which will provide unique opportunities for UC Merced.
Dennis Cardoza resides in Atwater with his wife, Dr. Kathleen McLoughlin, and their three children, Joey, Brittany Mari, and Elaina
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