Furutani Sworn in to Assembly
By GWEN MURANAKA
RAFU ENGLISH EDITOR IN CHIEF
Saturday, Mar. 22, 2008

14: State Assembly’s newest member vows that he is up to the challenge.

Photos by MARIO G. REYES/Rafu Shimpo
Rep. Mike Honda administers the oath of office to
Assemblymember Warren Furutani on the Cal State
Dominguez Hills campus in Carson on Sunday.
Furutani was elected to represent the 55th Assembly
District on Feb. 3.

CARSON.—Before a gathering of friends, family and political allies, Warren Furutani took the oath of office as assemblymember representing the 55th Assembly District, which includes the communities of Wilmington, Harbor City and the Harbor Gateway, Carson, and parts of Long Beach and Lakewood.
“I’m up to the task to take on the challenge to make California the place we want it to be,” said Furutani, who was joined onstage by his wife Lisa and sons Sei and Joey.
The newly minted assemblymember noted that he now rents an apartment in Sacramento. Since his election, Furutani has been appointed to serve on five committees: Appropriations, Transportation, Utilities and Commerce, Human Service and Water, and Parks and Wildlife. He also chairs the new Select Committee on Career Technical Education and Workforce Development. He said he’s been greeted warmly by both Democrats and Republicans.
“There’s good news and bad news: the good news is you got elected. The bad news is there’s a $16 billion deficit,” said Furutani.
The assemblymember criticized Republicans who opposed closing a loophole which lets those who purchase yachts or airplanes avoid state sales tax.
“You think we’re gonna cut education like the governor wants it? It ain’t gonna happen,” said Furutani.
Rep. Mike Honda (D-San Jose) administered the oath of office to his old friend who Furutani recalled meeting when he was at San Jose State in the late ’60s and lived briefly with Honda and his late wife Jeanne.
“Congratulations Warren, I love you like a brother. Thank you for asking me to do this,” said Honda, who is vice chair of the Democratic Party.
The ceremony was the second time Furutani has taken the oath. The first time was in Sacramento shortly after his Feb. 3 victory in a special election to succeed Laura Richardson, who recently was elected to represent the 37th Congressional District. Richardson was among the officials on hand to congratulate Furutani. Others included, State Sen. Jenny Oropeza, Assemblymembers Ted Lieu and Mervyn Dymally, State Board of Equalization member Judy Chu, Riverside Community College board member Mark Takano, Lillian Kawasaki, member of the Board of Water Commissioners and L.A. City Councilmembers Bernard Parks and Janice Hahn.
Furutani acknowledged Hahn’s father, longtime County Supervisor Kenneth Hahn, and his chief of staff, the late Mas Fukai.
“Mas Fukai, one of the most generous political mentors, who’s not with us any longer. Janice you and I know that he would have really enjoyed this day,” said Furutani.
The event was emceed by Carmen O. Perez. Johnny Mori and Danny Yamamoto performed taiko and Auntie Gerry’s O’hana sang and danced hula. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by the Lakewood Girl Scouts and trumpeter G. Diego Beltran-Groomes performed “The Star Spangled Banner.”