Statement by Congresswoman Waters on Passing of State Senator Jenny Oropeza

Congresswoman Maxine Waters (CA-35) issued the following statement upon the passing of California State Senator Jenny Oropeza (D-Long Beach):

"The South Bay has lost an effective and passionate advocate today with the untimely passing of State Senator Jenny Oropeza. I join Senator Oropeza's family, friends, staff and constituents in mourning her loss.

Senator Oropeza used her voice in Sacramento to advocate for the needs of her constituents. On issues ranging from cleaning up LAX to the preservation of the Ballona Wetlands to upgrading transportation infrastructure, among others, she got results for her district.

Indeed, with our respective districts overlapping in LAX, Westchester and Marina del Rey, we often advocated for similar issues.

And Senator Oropeza was a fighter. She bravely battled liver cancer while carrying out her legislative duties, and never let it deter her. In fact, she met her illness head on, beat it, and went back to the State Capitol to introduce legislation to expand cancer prevention.

I admire her tenacity and her dedication to her constituents, and I am very saddened that she is no longer with us.

My thoughts and prayers are with her family, friends, staff and constituents during this difficult time."

###