In agreement?
[Ed. note: The following statement by Lowenthal refers to the announcement that the United States and 11 other Pacific Rim nations reached an agreement Oct. 5 on the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) trade deal.]
There is no doubt that the TPP agreement reached today is historic. What remains to be seen is whether it is historic for the right reasons. Over the next 90 days, I, along with my colleagues in Congress, will have the chance to review the details of the deal before we must vote on it.
I plan to take this time to scrutinize the agreement thoroughly, especially in several areas I feel the deal must forcefully address.
I continue to have concerns about the human-rights violations by some of the proposed partner countries. I have made it clear to the administration that we should not reward bad behavior by allowing a major human-rights violator like Vietnam to benefit from trade agreements without first demonstrating a profound shift toward respecting the rights of its own citizens. It is disappointing that Vietnam continues to be a part of the agreement while failing to make substantive progress on improving its abysmal human-rights record.
Unless provisions in earlier drafts regarding labor and environmental protections are strengthened, I will also continue to have concerns on these issues. The rights of workers, including the right to form independent trade unions, must be protected under this agreement.
I now look forward to reviewing the full agreement in detail to determine if the terms really do benefit American workers and promote fair trade across the Pacific Rim.
Alan Lowenthal
U.S. Congressmember
Long Beach
Where’d you get that?
“Bought it in Bixby” campaign is here! We’re calling on you to be the change.
This campaign is all about supporting our local small businesses. We challenge you to commit to making small changes in how and where you shop, dine or use services. It is a challenge to everyone living in and around the greater Bixby Knolls area.
Commit to changing at least one thing in your life that you currently purchase or use outside the district. Challenge yourself to instead find a Bixby Knolls merchant to meet your needs rather than outside the area. For example, get your nails done somewhere else? Find a nail salon in Bixby Knolls and give it a try.
There are goods and services to discover right here, and we encourage you to do so. We want you to get out and share with your friends and neighbors the great things you can find in the district. And then tell the rest of the community when you do make those discoveries.
Again, this campaign is not a challenge to change your whole life, but a commitment to changing at least one service or goods purchase to here in the Knolls.
According to “Civic Economics: A National Summary Report,” for every $100 spent at locally owned small businesses and retailers, $48 will stay in the local economy. That is 48 percent of your money staying right here in your community. Shopping local means more than running errands. It is supporting your neighborhood, your community and your city. It was also reported by the Institute For Local Self-Reliance that supporting “locally owned businesses built strong communities by linking neighbors in a web of economic and social relationships.”
By supporting the businesses in Bixby Knolls, you are continuing to support positive change in the community. The neighborhood continues to be vibrant, your property values rise, and the ultimate sense of community pride continues to strive to be the highest in the city.
Shoot it. Tag it. Share it. It’s that simple! Take a picture and post it to Instagram or Facebook, tell us where you bought it and WHAT it is. Don’t forget to use this hashtag when you do: #BoughtItInBixby. Or you can email it to Info@BixbyKnollsInfo.com, and we’ll share it for you.
Visit http://bixbyknollsinfo.com/bought-it-in-bixby/ to see how it’s already working.
Blair Cohn
Executive director
Bixby Knolls Business Improvement Association
No questions asked
We received some great news [Monday] morning that for the second time in less than a week, a baby was safely surrendered in Los Angeles County!
Just five days after a newborn was handed-over at a hospital in Montebello, a baby was safely surrendered in Long Beach at a fire station. The 14th successful Safe Surrender of 2015 puts us on track for the most saves in a given year since the program was started back in 2001. Fifteen infants were given a second chance at life in 2007.
Thank you to the members of the media and our readers who help us spread the word that there is always a better choice.
Don Knabe
L.A. County Supervisor
Fourth District
