Frank Taylor [D-CA-17] Campaign Schedule for April 13 to 20
April 13, 2007Town Hall meeting in Cupertino, CAAfter a week or so off the campaign trail Congressman Frank Taylor, for California's 17th District, was back on the trail with a town hall meeting in Cupertino. At a local library he answered questions from local Californians and addressed their concerns. Taylor noted down the issues the audience believed needed to be tackled, which included healthcare and the environment, among other things. On healthcare, Rep. Taylor said, "The American healthcare system is fundamentally flawed, I'm sure we can all agree on that. We need to work out a system that ensures all Americans are insured and their insurance is guaranteed to pay when the time comes."
April 14, 2007Speech to supporters in Alviso, CAThe next day, Taylor hopped a few miles north to Alviso, a residential district along the coast, to speak to supporters face-to-face and via television. Taylor tackled many major issues plaguing the country, particularly the 'ease at which an American can purchase a weapon', healthcare, the environment and immigration.
On the environment, Taylor remarked: "I believe a perfect balance should be struck between supporting farmers and factory workers while protecting our planet. Many are skeptical as to whether such a balance exists, but with enough focus and the willpower to
do something, I believe it can be achieved."
On immigration, Taylor said: ". . . America is a land of opportunity, right? If so, it should be an equal land of opportunity. I see no issue with allowing immigrants in, provided they follow the proper process to get in. In the future we must implement a new process of allowing new immigrants into the country without, I repeat without, evicting immigrants already in the country, who are providing a portion of the workforce already."
April 15, 2007Meeting with local police officers in Bayland, CAThe Congressman hopped north again on the 15th to meet with local police officers in Bayland, CA, another residential district, just south of Fremont. Speaking to a crowd of supporters and passersby, with police officers next to him, Taylor emphasized the importance of law enforcement in society and stated that: ". . . Law enforcement are our first line against crime and illegal activity, and as such I think they deserve more respect, more love from the public, don't you think?"
April 16, 2007Interview with KSCU radio in Santa Clara, CAOn the day of the Virginia Tech shooting, Taylor was on campus at Santa Clara University doing an interview with the university-owned and student-run KSCU radio. It serves the San Francisco Bay Area. He was speaking on gun restrictions when news broke of an active shooting in Virginia Tech. He asked that the interview be cut short and went home to his family. Later that evening, Taylor released a statement on the tragedy:
The Virginia Tech shooting earlier today is nothing short of a grave tragedy, not only because of the 30 lives lost, but because of the fact a crime of this scale occurred in the United States. Our country. The parents of our nation entrust the schools of the country with protecting and educating our children and our future generation. Earlier today, that trust was shook by the deaths of 30 students, whom I and my family include in our prayers. Schools are meant to be a safe place for our future engineers, doctors, scientists, pilots and politicians. I am sure the sadness with which I receive the news of the shooting reverberates across the nation.
My heart goes out to the victims and the families of those lost in this massive tragedy. To the law enforcement and emergency services who rushed in and saved the lives of the countless wounded, I am sure I join the nation in commending you for your service.
April 17, 2007Press conference in Santa Clara, CAThe next day, Taylor convened a press conference and declared that he would 'renew focus on curbing gun violence in the country through the restricting of the placing of weapons in the hands of people with whom those weapons would be unsafe'. Citing the Virginia Tech shooting yesterday, the Congressman placed urgency on the matter, stating that 'no further lives must be lost'. He also criticized Cush for not taking action on gun violence in the first place, saying, ". . . the President speaks of doing everything his administration can, yet he takes no action against gun violence and a gun epidemic. Now is the time to take action."
April 18, 2007Meeting with local officials at Milpitas City Hall, Milpitas, CACongressman Taylor met with local government officials at Milpitas City Hall in the city of Milpitas, south of Fremont and northeast of San Jose, California, to discuss the urgent need to take action on gun violence as well as programs to support law enforcement and police in particular. The April 16 Virginia Tech shooting would shape most of the meeting, with Taylor repeating that 'this can't ever happen again, not ever, not in a million years'.
April 19, 2007Vigil for Virginia Tech shooting victims in Santa Clara, CAOn the 19th Taylor returned to Santa Clara to attend a vigil for the Virginia Tech shooting victims. He laid flowers and lit candles, and together with his family and members of his campaign team prayed for the victims lost. To an attending news crew, Taylor furthermore with a sorrowful expression asked for 'immediate action' by Congress against gun violence.
April 20, 2007Meeting with the wounded in hospital in Blacksburg, VAOn the 20th, as a personal visit with his wife, Taylor would fly over to Blacksburg, four days after the Virginia Tech shooting, to meet with the wounded in hospital as well as attend one of the many vigils that day in the city.