Kurt Rommel ‘08

The United States Air Force Academy sent ninety Academy Cadets, including alum Kurt Rommel ‘08, to the 2009 Presidential Inauguration. They were part of the one thousand Air Force Personnel that marched in front of President Barack Obama and Air Force Chief of Staff Norton A. Schwartz. Prior to marching in the Inaugural Parade, the Air Force Cadets had the opportunity to see the U.S. Capitol Building, the National Mall, the Pentagon, and the Air Force Memorial. During their visit, the Cadets stayed with Midshipmen at the U.S. Naval Academy. All the participants truly appreciated being part of this historic national celebration!

 

George Bahamondes ‘07

After being inspired by President Obama’s victory last November while abroad in Chile, George Bahamondes ’07 decided to put his personal life on hold and work for no pay in order to help turn local, state and national politics on its head. Since January 6th, 2009, Bahamondes has been working seven days a week for a historic, grassroots, Congressional campaign in East Los Angeles, California.

 

Hilda Solis’ appointment to Obama’s cabinet ignited a local movement to elect former Obama Treasury Department Transition Team member, Emanuel Pleitez, to her vacant seat. George currently serves as the Pleitez campaign’s Deputy Finance Director.

 

“I was tired of seeing ‘experienced’ politicians from Sacramento who have proven to be incapable of solving our fiscal and social issues as our only options on the ballot. I met Pleitez as an SEO intern and knew his story all too well. We need more folks from single parent, immigrant households who have had the opportunity to navigate arenas on Wall Street and Capitol Hill to represent our communities. We understand all sides of the issue first-hand and can build understanding between two very distant communities. What better time to change the rules of endorsement-based, special interest funded politics than now?”

 

If elected May 19th, Pleitez will be the youngest Latino ever to serve in US Congress. For more information about Bahamondes’ effort, visit www.pleitezforcongress.com.

 

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