Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About The Asian reporter. (Portland, Or.) 1991-current | View Entire Issue (April 3, 2017)
U.S.A. Page 8 n THE ASIAN REPORTER April 3, 2017 Muslim immigrant to join California lieutenant governor race CALIFORNIA CANDIDATE. Dr. Asif Mahmood, right, a physician who came to the U.S. from Pakistan, greets supporters after announcing he is joining the 2018 race for California’s lieutenant gov- ernor, in front of the downtown federal building that houses a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement field office in Los Angeles. Mahmood is promising to run on his Muslim faith, immigrant past, and career as a healthcare provider. (AP Photo/Nick Ut) By Christopher Weber The Associated Press OS ANGELES — A Pakistan-born doctor has announced that he is joining the 2018 race for lieutenant governor on a platform of saving the Affordable Care Act, providing free community college education, and fighting what he termed “Donald Trump’s hate.” “I am a proud Muslim and I love Ameri- ca,” Dr. Asif Mahmood said at a news con- ference in front of the downtown federal building that houses a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement field office. “President Trump continues to attack people like me: immigrants, people of color, and Muslims,” Mahmood said. “I say President Trump has it all wrong. It’s time to get tough on hate. California must be the leader of the Trump resistance, and I will fight him every step of the way.” The pulmonologist said he came to the United States because he wanted his family to live in a place “that celebrates diversity and tolerance.” Born in a small, rural village, Mahmood moved to Kentucky in the 1990s to complete medical school. He came to Southern California in 2000 and lives near Los Angeles with his wife and three teenage children. L As a first-time candidate, Mahmood’s challenge is to build a statewide coalition, potentially anchored to civil rights. He starts as a virtual unknown and Muslims make up a tiny percentage of people living in California. To be competitive and grow beyond a niche candidacy, he must craft a message that resonates with the large, diverse pool of voters in a state that is home to one of every eight Americans. Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom, the incumbent, is barred by term limits from seeking a third term and is running for governor. Mahmood, a Democrat, said he did not think his religion would be an obstacle in a state known for diversity. Mahmood said his experience running a medical practice and volunteering at free clinics that treat poor populations gave him the credentials to campaign for healthcare reform. He supports protecting Obamacare and expanding Medicare to cover everyone. California’s lieutenant governor post is largely ceremonial, but the lieutenant governor leads the state when the governor travels outside it and can break tie votes in the state senate. The lieutenant governor also has a seat on the board of regents of the 10-campus University of California. Mahmood said he would use it to influence higher education reform. Mahmood said he wants to provide a free community college education and doesn’t support fee hikes, such as the recent California State University tuition increase. “I believe that education is the main asset that any nation can have, any society can have,” he said. State senator Ed Hernandez, also a Democrat, is the only other declared candi- date for lieutenant governor. The field is sure to grow ahead of the November 2018 vote. Associated Press writer Michael Blood in Los Angeles contributed to this report. Pedestrian deaths spiked in 2016, distraction cited Trump Winery in Virginia seeks more foreign workers By Joan Lowy Continued from page 7 The Associated Press places like the Philippines, Indonesia, Kenya, Nigeria. We did not have one American worker apply on (the first job order).” Several people have sent e-mails to show they are outraged that Trump winery is hiring foreigners, Whitley said. “I qualify every one of those responses and I say, ‘Are you interested in the job? If you are, please get in touch with us immediately,”’ Whitley said. Trump Winery didn’t respond to the newspaper’s request for comment. ASHINGTON — Pedestrian deaths are climbing faster than motorist fatalities, reaching nearly 6,000 deaths last year — the highest total in more than two decades, according to an analysis of preliminary state data. Increased driving due to an improved economy, lower gas prices, and more walking for exercise and environmental reasons are some of the likely reasons behind the estimated 11 percent spike in pedestrian fatalities in 2016. The figures were prepared for the Governors Highway Safety Association, which represents state highway safety offices. But researchers say they think the biggest factor may be more drivers and walkers distracted by cellphones and other W electronic devices, although that’s hard to confirm. Walking and miles driven are up only a few percentage points, and are unlikely to account for most of the surge in pedestrian deaths, said Richard Retting, safety director for Sam Schwartz Transportation Consultants and the author of the report. Meanwhile, texting and the use of wireless devices have exploded, he said. “It’s the only factor that seems to indicate a dramatic change in how people behave,” Retting said. The report is based on data from all states and the District of Columbia for the first six months of 2016 and extrapolated for the rest of the year. It shows the largest annual increase in both the number and percentage of pedestrian fatalities in the more than 40 years those national records on such deaths have been kept, with the second largest increase occurring in 2015. Pedestrian deaths as a share of total motor vehicle crash deaths increased from 11 percent in 2006 to 15 percent in 2015. “This latest data shows that the U.S. isn’t meeting the mark on keeping pedestrians safe on our roadways,” said Jonathan Adkins, the safety association’s executive director. “Every one of these lives represents a loved one not coming home tonight, which is absolutely unacceptable.” Traffic fatalities overall jumped six percent last year, pushing deaths on U.S. roads to their highest level in nearly a decade and erasing improvements made during the Great Recession and economic recovery, according to data released in February by the National Safety Council, a leading safety organization. The council Continued on page 14 How to identify a possible gas leak. If you smell ROTTEN EGGS it could be a gas leak. And the best thing to do is leave your home and call NW Natural. We’ll be out to make sure everything is safe. Unsure of what to do? Just take a look at our tips to the right. Smell. Go. Let Us Know. 800-882-3377 If you smell a rotten egg or sulfur odor, you hear a blowing or hissing sound, or you see blowing dirt, it could be a gas leak. What to do. Leave your home and the area immediately. Don’t use any electrical device such as a light switch, telephone, appliance or garage door opener. And don’t try to fi nd the leak yourself. Who to call. Go outside and use your cell phone, or a neighbor’s phone, and call NW Natural at 800-882-3377.
