In the News
KPCC: Home for Some New Representatives Is a House Office Building In DC
One of the challenges facing California's 14 Congressional freshmen is where to live in D.C. Democrat Alan Lowenthal of Long Beach sent his wife out to look for housing. Mark Takano, a Democrat from Riverside, found an apartment within walking distance of the … Continue Reading
January 05, 2013
UK Progressive: LGBT Victories: “Breathtaking Leap Forward”
In the new 113th United States Congress, Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), will be the first elected openly gay senator in U.S. history. In the House of Representatives, Mark Pocan (D-WI), Sean Patrick Maloney (D-NY), Mark Takano (D-CA) and Kyrsten Sinema, (D-AZ) will become the newest LGBT Americans in Congress. They will join Jared Polis (D-CO) and David Cicilline (D-RI), both of whom were … Continue Reading
January 04, 2013
AP: Asian Americans Make Historic Gains In US Congress
Democrat Mark Takano, a 51-year-old high school teacher whose parents were detained in Japanese internment camps during World War II, is the first openly gay non-white member of … Continue Reading
January 04, 2013
The Press-Enterprise: Mark Takano: “I will always listen and work tirelessly”
Improving the economy, immigration reform and preserving Medicare and Social Security are among Mark Takano's priorities now that he's officially a member of Congress, according to a statement his office released Thursday, Jan. … Continue Reading
January 04, 2013
Washington Blade: House Approves Rules Affirming Commitment to DOMA
In a joint statement, House LGBT Equality Caucus Members Jerrold Nadler (D-N.Y.), John Conyers (D-Mich.), Jared Polis (D-Colo), David Cicilline (D-R.I.), and newly sworn-in openly gay members of the U.S. House Sean Patrick Maloney (D-N.Y.), Mark Pocan (D-Wis.), and Mark Takano (D-Calif.) denounced the move by House … Continue Reading
January 03, 2013
KFOXTV (El Paso): Beto O’Rourke Sworn In As Rep. In Washington D.C.
Also sworn in was Congress' first openly gay lawmaker of color, Rep. Mark Takano, D-Calif, as well as four African-Americans, 10 Latinos, five Asian-Americans and two dozen … Continue Reading
January 03, 2013
The Press-Enterprise: 113th Congress: Representatives, Senators Sworn In
Four freshmen will also represent the Inland Empire. They are: - Mark Takano, D-Riverside, whose new district encompasses Riverside, Moreno Valley, Jurupa Valley and … Continue Reading
January 03, 2013
LGBTQNation: Tammy Baldwin Sworn In As First Openly Gay U.S. Senator
Baldwin was sworn-in on Thursday on the same day as the entire membership of the U.S. House for the 113th Congress. That includes openly gay Reps. Jared Polis (D-Colo.), David Cicilline (D-R.I.), Sean Patrick Maloney (D-N.Y.), Kirsten Sinema (D-Ariz.), Mark Takano (D-Calif.) and Mark Pocan … Continue Reading
January 03, 2013
PolicyMic: 113th Congress: History is Made With 4 New LGBT Congress Membes This Year
Sinema is joined in this endeavor by Mark Takano, the first openly gay Asian American elected to Congress. Aiming for a seat on the Committee of Education and the Workforce to help to push through the Employment Non-Discrimination Act, Takano stated that he is interested in improving relationships with more moderate Republicans and potentially work on an "equality agenda" … Continue Reading
January 03, 2013
The Press-Enterprise: New Congress Most Diverse In U.S. History
Newly sworn-in Riverside Democratic U.S. Rep. Mark Takano is one of six openly gay, lesbian and bisexual members of the House. He's also the first openly gay person of color in congressional … Continue Reading
January 03, 2013
NPR: Okay, You’re a California Congressman…Now Hire a Staff
Democratic Congressman Mark Takano of Riverside didn't have any Sacramento staff to call upon. In his previous job, he taught school. His first post-swearing-in lesson in American politics: you have to choose sides even when nobody elected you. You're either a Republican staffer or a Democratic staffer. You stay that way your entire working life. This presents a challenge for Takano, who represents a county that Republicans have represented for a couple of … Continue Reading
January 03, 2013
MSNBC: Meet California's 14 New Members of Congress
California's 14 new lawmakers in Washington D.C. were sworn in Thursday morning as members of the 113th Congress, which includes 84 new members in the House and 13 new Senators, took their seats. Mark Takano, D-41st District: A teacher who was born and raised in Riverside, Takano is first openly gay lawmaker of color. Served as president of the Riverside Community College District Board of Trustees. Resides in … Continue Reading
January 03, 2013
Windy City Media Group: House GOP Still Backing DOMA Battle
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, House LGBT Equality Caucus Members Jerrold Nadler (D-NY), John Conyers (D-MI), Jared Polis (D-CO), David Cicilline (D-RI), and newly sworn-in Members of Congress Sean Patrick Maloney (D-NY), Mark Pocan (D-WI), and Mark Takano (D-CA) denounced the House Republican move to include additional funds to defend the unconstitutional Defense of Marriage Act(DOMA) in the opening day rules package for the 113th … Continue Reading
January 03, 2013
GayPolitics: Record 7 Out Lawmakers Sworn in to Congress
At the other end of the Capitol, a record six openly gay, lesbian and bisexual House members took the oath of office along with their new colleagues. Reps. Jared Polis, D-Colo., and David Cicilline, D-R.I., returned to the chamber for their third and second terms, respectively. Joining them are newly-elected Reps. Kyrsten Sinema, D-Ariz., Mark Takano, D-Calif., Mark Pocan, D-Wis., and Sean Patrick Maloney, … Continue Reading
January 03, 2013
LA Times: California's Freshman Class in the U.S. House is Large and Diverse
The Democrats include Juan Vargas of San Diego, a Harvard Law School classmate of President Obama; Mark Takano of Riverside, an Asian American teacher; and Tony Cardenas, the first Latino elected to Congress from the San Fernando Valley. Democrat Jared Huffman of San Rafael is a former all-American volleyball … Continue Reading
January 03, 2013
LA Daily News: Our View: New Congress Members Seek Fresh Air
U.S. representative; Mark Takano, a Rialto schoolteacher who is Congress' first openly gay non-white; Julia Brownley, Gloria Negrete- McLeod, Raul Ruiz and Alan … Continue Reading
January 03, 2013
BuzzFeed: House Rules In New Congress Allow Continued DOMA Defense
Reps. Jerrold Nadler of New York, John Conyers of Michigan, Jared Polis of Colorado, David Cicilline of Rhode Island, Sean Patrick Maloney of New York, Mark Pocan of Wisconsin and Mark Takano of California, all members of the LGBT Equality Caucus, said in a statement that "all Members should object to the use of taxpayer dollars to pay costly legal fees to make arguments that lack adequate factual or legal support, in pursuit of a law that is not worthy of a … Continue Reading
January 03, 2013
The Advocate: Meet the Class of 2013
Before Congress: Harvard-educated Takano was a high school teacher, gay-straight alliance adviser, and member of the Riverside Community College District Board of … Continue Reading
January 01, 2013
The Rafu Shimpo: COMMENTARY: A Challenge for the Future
Even as we mourn Sen. Inouye, there is a new generation of Japanese Americans who entered the political arena in 2012 - although to call Senator-elect Mazie Hirono, Representative-elect Mark Takano and Assemblymember Al Muratsuchi newcomers is to ignore the many years of hard work they have put in to get to where they are now. It is truly disappointing that Colleen Hanabusa was not elevated to senator, against the last wishes of Hawaii's senior … Continue Reading