Jackie Speier’s Announcement Speech as Democratic Candidate for California 12th Congressional District

[courtesy of California Progress Report]

Photo courtesy of Bob Brigham

Good afternoon and thank you for joining me here today. Thank you Anna Eshoo, Mike Thompson and John Burton. We should applaud those leaders who don’t just get it right but who have the courage to stand up for what is right.

I can think of no better place to announce to my friends, neighbors, and colleagues that I am running for Congress in the 12th District.

It has been almost two weeks since we heard the sad news that Congressman Lantos was diagnosed with cancer. As I begin this journey, let us keep Congressman Lantos and his family in our prayers, and let us thank him. For nearly three decades he has been a passionate champion of human rights around the world. Tom also had a talent for skewering stonewalling bureaucrats. That’s a talent I admire. All of our best hopes go with Tom and Annette during this difficult time.

We are in a park named for Leo Ryan. Congressman Ryan was a man of great courage. Of course, that courage cost him his life.

29 years ago this month I ran for this seat in Congress. I lost that race, but Leo taught me three things which I would like to share with you today:

First, always stand up for the things you believe in, even when you stand alone;

Second, a public servant has a duty to ask questions –to turn over rocks to expose waste and corruption, and to prove to the people that they can have faith in their leaders.

More importantly, Leo taught me never to forget who you work for—the people of your district.

In the 18 years that I served in the Legislature and before that on the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors, those were the lessons I heeded. These are the lessons that I will take to Washington if I am elected.