Xavier Becerra, family, ancestry, ethnicity, Latino, Mexico, Mexican, Mary Cummins, Sacramento, California, Attorney General, attorney, lawyer, wife, children, parents, grandparents, siblings, Maria Teresa Schmidth, Manuel Becerra, Dr Carolina Reyes, Clarissa, Natalia, Olivia, DNA, heritage, genealogy, ancestry,
Xavier Becerra was born 26 Jan 1958 in Sacramento County, California, USA. His parents were Manuel Guerrero Becerra B:14 Jul 1928 Sacramento County, California, USA, D:1 Jan 2020 Sacramento County, California, USA and Maria Teresa Cruz Schmidt B:4 Nov 1933 Guadalajara, Mexico.
Xavier Becerra's siblings are Margaret, Mary Ellen and Teresa. His paternal grandparents all came from Mexico. His maternal grandparents came from Mexico and Germany.
Xavier married Dr Carolina Reyes. Together they have three children, Clarissa, Natalia and Olivia.
Some are asking why Joe Biden nominated him as the Secretary of Health and Human Services. He's been defending health insurance and medical care for people as a lawyer. He understands health care and health insurance. He's been defending Obamacare from the Trump administration for the last four years. He also sued the Trump Administration as the Attorney General of California for years. He's won most if not all of his lawsuits.
Xavier Becerra's wife is also a medical doctor who graduated from Stanford and Harvard. She speaks about family health care and is an expert on women's issues and pediatrics. She and her family are amazing. Here is her tree. I may have added one sibling too many. I can go farther back in the tree. I just haven't done so as of yet.
Below is the obituary of his father.
"Manuel Guerrero Becerra, 91, passed away peacefully at home in Sacramento, CA on January 1, 2020, surrounded by his loving wife Maria Teresa and family. "Hardworking, devoted, humble and true" describes the man his family knew affectionately as Pop. Manuel was born in Sacramento on July 14, 1928, the eldest of eight children to Heliodoro and Otilia Becerra. Raised in the shadow of the Great Depression, long before he became a teenager, Manuel began working to help support his family. His parents moved the family to Tijuana, Mexico while he was a child, where he began to shine shoes or sell fruits picked from his father's farm after school. When he returned to California as a young teenager, living with relatives, he learned schools made little effort to teach an industrious "migrant", but employers were intent on hiring him. For several years, Manuel worked as a farm worker along the spine of Highway 99 and as a railroad worker for Southern Pacific Railroad. In 1953, he married the love of his life, Maria Teresa, whom he met in Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico and brought to California. They settled in Sacramento where he worked as a cannery worker for Campbell Soup before beginning a decades long career as a road construction worker under the Laborer's union, Local 185 (64 year pensioned member), with Teichert Construction Co. Soon they started their family and bought their tiny first home. A decade later, with four growing children, Manuel dedicated his after-work hours building the family's second home with frequent help from friend and neighbor construction workers. For his 91 years, Manuel was a builder...the home where his children grew up...the fruits and vegetables we eat...the roads and highways we travel...the homes he and Maria Teresa bought, rented and renovated. While never within their reach, he and Maria Teresa worked to see their children enter college and serve in the military. He deeply loved this country though it took its time accepting him. His memory will be proudly and faithfully carried by Maria Teresa, his bride of 67 years; four children: Margie (Manuel) Juarez, Maria Elena (Ray) Becerra Rivera, Xavier (Carolina), and Teresa (Roy Fessenden) Tulp; ten grandchildren: Christy, Steven, Eric, Michael, Adrienne, Adam, Anelisa, Clarisa, Olivia, and Natalia; and three great-grandchildren: Olivia, Lily and Gabriel. He is survived by siblings Alfredo (Mercedes), Heliodoro (Velia), and Gloria, and a loving extended family. Manuel was preceded in death by his parents Heliodoro and Otilia, his siblings Angel, Dolores (Max) Hernandez, Consuelo (Miguel) Gomez, and Jose (Elena). From an early age, Manuel learned to rise with the sun. As the sun set on the first day of 2020, the angels took our beloved Manuel to his lasting home in heaven where he is no doubt, tools in hand, building. He is forever loved, and we will always build in his honor. Private services will be held for Manuel in Sacramento."
Below is Xavier Becerra's wife's family tree. I have taken it back another generation and may post it later.
Below is her father's obituary.
Gusmaro Reyes OCTOBER 11, 1919 – MARCH 8, 2016 Obituary of Gusmaro Reyes PLAY TRIBUTE MOVIE Gusmaro Reyes passed away peacefully at home with his children and wife on March 8, 2016 at the age of 96. He is survived by his wife, 8 children, 23 grandchildren, 24 great grandchildren and extended family and friends.
Gusmaro Reyes, a man of integrity and vision, was born on October 11, 1919 in Parlier, California. At a tender age of seven, his parents drove the family to Jalisco, Mexico, with the intentions of returning to California. Instead, Gusmaro grew up at Rancho de Las Animas in Santa Maria de Los Angeles, working tirelessly in growing corn, beans. Inspired to fight poverty, he learned to be a tailor and as a teen, he studied under a master tailor. By 1940, Gusmaro embarked to Mexico City to work as a tailor, earning no more than $2 a day. In 1946, Gusmaro married Bernarda Puentes and journeyed back to the U.S., proving to immigration services that he was a United States citizen. The tailor found himself working “la pala” for Jack Harris Ranch, after working seasonal crops in the San Joaquin Valley. From 1948-1959, living in a train box-car, tents, and labor camps, Gusmaro clocked 24 hour days. By 1959, he worked in a Fresno raisin company and irrigation work and picking cotton at night by moonlight and the headlights of his 1953 Dodge pick-up. Raising eight children, he gave up his dream as a tailor. He dedicated his life to his children’s educational success, yielding doctoral degrees earned by three children, a J.D., M.D., and Ed.D, two children earned B.A degrees and are public-school teachers; one earned a B.S. and worked in government/public affairs; one daughter worked as a university professional; and one son a construction superintendent. Gusmaro often said, “you can work the fields or go to school.”
Over his lifetime, civic and community involvement were essential to Gusmaro. He taught his children to be civic-minded and support families in need. In 1968, Gusmaro not only joined the United Farm Workers of America but registered all eight children as UFW members, as he joined the March 10, 1968 rally when U.S. Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy visited Cesar Chavez in Delano, California. Gusmaro's values were aligned with the values exhibited by the UFW. Gusmaro was also a proud 60-year member of AFL-CIO International Brotherhood of Teamster’s Union, Local #431. He was also an active member of Calwa Community Service Organization, La Sociedad de Oro, and instilled in his family the importance of voting in every election.
Recognized for his personal sacrifices and dedication to higher education for his children, in 2009, Gusmaro was awarded the inaugural “Padres Heroes” award by Telemundo and Verizon Wireless.
Gusmaro also enjoyed showcasing his trophies from the Big Fresno Fair Run, Shin Zen Run at Woodward Park, and the Delano Father’s Day Run. He loved listening to mariachis, singing and playing music, gardening and grafting trees, traveling, dancing, reading and journaling, and spending quality time with his family. At 96, and almost 70 years of marriage, he remained a man of strong Catholic faith.
To keep his vision alive, a Memorial Scholarship Fund has been established in his name at the Education & Leadership Foundation. To contribute, or learn more, visit www.education-leadership.org
Biography
Gusmaro the American Citizen: On October 11, 1919, Francisco Reyes and Ramona Enriquez gave birth to their fourth child, a son, named Gusmaro Reyes. Gusmaro was born and raised in Parlier, California, a small town in California’s Central Valley, and attended an elementary school near a railroad track in Parlier until the age of seven. With the money earned from the land leased from a Japanese farmer, they bought a brand new 1925 truck, and in 1926, they drove from Parlier to Jalisco, Mexico, through what is known as The Grapevine. The family had intentions of returning to California soon. They left a newer car with neighbors for safe keeping.
Gusmaro the Mexican/Misteco/Obrero: At the tender age of seven, Gusmaro lived in Rancho de las Animas until the age of 27, a ranch with so much rich history, and a beautiful landscape located outside of Santa Maria de los Angeles, in northern Jalisco. Later in life, he learned that several generations were from Rancho de las Animas and the surrounding areas (including Zacatecas) dating back to the 1650’s. Now that the family was back home in Mexico, Gusmaro’s parents bought more property with the money they had earned from the farm in Parlier, California.
Gusmaro the survivor: He shared that there were times food was unavailable, and he and his brother would go hungry, often carrying only a piece of a hard tortilla in his pocket. He and his oldest brother Antonio, who was seven-years older than Gusmaro, worked tirelessly at El Potrero, one of the properties, living there from June thru December each year. They planted and grew corn, beans, and raised cattle to sustain the immediate and extended family. Gusmaro has many fond memories of his older brother, Antonio, who he considered his first teacher. He shared many stories on how rock fences were built to divide property; or clearing the land for planting – or for fencing in their cattle. They would carrying one rock at a time from the land or from a nearby river; fences often had to be repaired.
Gusmaro the tailor: He learned to be a “sastre,” (tailor), from a man named Domingo Rubalcava in Colotlán, Jalisco who not only taught him a skill but gave him his personal patterns for making suits. After his apprenticeship, Mr. Rubalcava encouraged Gusmaro to return to Rancho de las Animas and sew for people from the town. He shared that one day, he stayed home from school because his mother had washed his only pair of pants made out of “manta” (a white linen that peasants would wear), and the pants disintegrated. His school teacher from Rancho de las Animas came to his home to find out why he was absent. Gusmaro was wrapped in a blanket because he had no other clothes. He was extremely embarrassed. This incident inspired him to be a tailor, and never go without clothing.
By 1940, in his early 20’s, Gusmaro embarked on a new life leaving rural northern Jalisco to Mexico City to find work. He first took on work in construction, and also continued his business as a tailor. Using what he learned in Colotlán, he made his own patterns for suits, jackets, pants, sewing various types of material, including leather. Earning just enough to keep a small place in Mexico City, he recalled times were rough, sometimes earning only no more than two-pesos in a full day’s work – but he learned to make ends meet.
Gusmaro the husband: His marriage was of utmost importance to him, married for 70 years to his beautiful wife, Bernarda Puentes, known for her strong faith in God. They were an incredible team. In 1946, Gusmaro returned to Rancho de las Animas to ask for Bernarda Puentes’ hand in marriage. By July 7, they married in the catholic church in Santa Maria de los Angeles. Shortly after getting married, and while still working in Mexico City, his uncle Jose Navarrette, came looking for him in Rancho de Las Animas to urge him to return to the United States. People were hesitant to tell him that he and Bernarda were living in Mexico City. After finding them in Mexico City, Gusmaro and Bernarda then embarked on a journey to the U.S.
Gusmaro the visionary man: Expecting their first child, Gusmaro and Bernarda decided to move back to the California, their birth place, with the encouragement and financial help of his uncle, Jose. Gusmaro entered the U.S through Ciudad Juarez, working with Immigration Services to return to the U.S. Gusmaro had to prove to Immigration that he was an American citizen and had to stay for many days in the immigration office sorting through books looking for the day his family signed to enter Mexico through the California- Tijuana border. He recalled he was only seven years old, so he sorted page by page in a book dated 1926. Successfully finding his parents signatures, Gusmaro was able to show that he was only a child when his family entered into Mexico. The political climate caused Gusmaro, now 28 years of age, to provide evidence, since it was perceived that he had deflected the World War II. The evidence, coupled with legal representation hired by his Uncle Jose, allowed Gusmaro and Bernarda Puentes Reyes to enter into the United States. He recalled being upstairs in a building, then being told he was done with his interview and permitted him to leave. However, never experiencing an elevator, he said to himself, “OK, now how do I get down from here?". He did not know how to leave the building, but was determined, as he knew he was in search for a better life and opportunities for his family, and break the cycle of poverty.
Gusmaro the migrant worker: He and Bernarda lived in Riverdale, near Five Points, before moving to the labor camp owned by Jack Harris, working in irrigation at night, and in the cotton fields during the day. As a migrant worker he would follow the seasonal crops moving his family to Woodlake, Lamont, Caruthers and Arvin – and many other small towns in the San Joaquin Valley – as many farm-working families did during this time in history. This was also the time the Bracero Program was fully implemented in the U.S. From 1948 through 1954, many life events happen during this time: the loss of his first born, the birth of his second child, Maria Elena, and the many different living conditions such as; in a train box-car, temporary tents, and various labor camps.
Gusmaro the skilled laborer: By 1959, work ethic continued to be a big part of Gusmaro . He secured steady employment with Bonner’s Packing Company, a family-owned raisin company located in Southeast Fresno. After 22 years with Bonner’s Packing Company, Gusmaro retired at 62 years of age, due to his health. However, he continued to model the work ethic to everyone that knew him. In the earlier years, he continued picking cotton on his free time, known as a 700-pound-a-day giant of a man. At night, he would take his 1953 Dodge pick up truck and picked cotton by the moonlight and headlights from his red pick-up truck. His children had no deference for his plight, and they would sometimes sleep on top of the cotton sack while waiting in the fields.
Gusmaro the saver and money manager: He saved his money to purchase his first home in Calwa, a community in southeast Fresno. By September 1960, he made a down payment of $1600 and monthly payments of $60 at 6.6% interest, finally moving his family to a permanent home. By 1962, his family was complete -- six girls and two boys. Because of his employment at Bonners he secured dental, health and home insurance for his family, now providing the stability he strived for.
Gusmaro the compassionate man: Take the money! When Nicholas went to off to Occidental College in Los Angeles, Gusmaro pulled out his wallet to give his eldest son college money. Initially, his son did not want to take the money, however, his older daughter, Olivia, whispered to Nicholas, “take the money and do not deny him from being part of your education.”
Gusmaro the agronomist: He was a very skilled farmer and an expert at pruning and grafting trees and vines. Gusmaro loved to garden, growing chile de árbol, cilantro, tomatillos, nopales, pears, peaches, avocados, apricots, oranges, lemons, and maguey and sharing his fruits of his labor with others. His most famous trees were grafted trees that produced apple/pear; lemon/grapefruit; lemon/orange; and most popular was the “chau’acate,” two fruits, avocado/apricot on one tree. Clearly, he believed growing a chili plant over a rose bush to produce food for his family.
Gusmaro, the man of service: Mr. & Mrs. Reyes taught their eight children to work hard, to persevere, to finish what you start, to save money, the value of respect, and the value of higher education. Over his lifetime, civic and community involvement was essential. He taught their children to be civic-minded and support families in need. In 1968, Mr. Reyes not only joined the United Farm Workers Union but registered all eight children as UFW members, as he joined the March 10, 1968 rally when U.S. Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy visited Cesar Chavez in Delano, California. Mr. Reyes was also a proud 60-year member of AFL-CIO International Brotherhood of Teamster’s Union, Local #431. The Reyes’ were active members of La Sociedad Edad de Oro, Calwa Community Service Organization, and dedicated countless hours on grassroots scholarship fundraising, and religious causes. Gusmaro also instilled in his family the importance of voting in every election.
Gusmaro the musician. He loved music from composers and artist, Jose Alfredo Jimenez, Agustin Lara, Jorge Negrete, Pedro Infante, Vicente Fernandez, Antonio Aguilar, Rocio Durcal, Vikki Carr, and Lola Beltran to name a few. Over the years, he enjoyed playing the guitar, the “mandolina” and listening to ballads and singing “rancheras.” He was a romantic at heart.
Gusmaro the passionate man: He had a passion for his 1953 Dodge pick-up truck having it restored by his first son-in-law Richard Trejo. Gusmaro once built a camper for it, took regular trips to Mexicali to visit his brother Antonio and to Woodlake to visit his brother Fidencio. His Dodge was used for both work and pleasure; to pick grapes, to pick cotton, as his children enjoyed sitting freely in the back of the truck on trips to Kearney Park on Sundays after church.
Gusmaro the father: His pride and joy were his children. As his children grew and became part of the American educational system, his dream of returning to his homeland, Mexico, died. His dream now became his children’s educational success, ensuring they never missed a day of school, and that they all had an opportunity for higher education. While he may not have said “I love you,” Gusmaro had a way of letting you know that you are loved. He taught his eight children to work hard, never to give up, finish what you start, save money, the value of respect, and the value of higher education. The fruit of his labor includes three children with doctoral degrees: (an attorney with a juris doctoral from UCLA, a school administrator with an educational doctoral degree from Alliant University, and a medical doctor from Stanford University and Harvard University); an administrator in higher education with a B.S. from U.C. Santa Cruz, an administrative assistant in higher education from Fresno State University, two public school teachers, who earned their degrees from Fresno State, and a construction superintendent who attended Fresno City College. Gusmaro the athlete: He was a runner as child, and continued running even after retirement; he ran a half-dozen 5k runs earning several trophies! Gusmaro remained fit weighing the same 145 pounds throughout his adult life. Gusmaro had a strong desire and will to live life to its fullest. He lived to be 96 and ½ years old.
Gusmaro our hero: On 2009, Gusmaro, the grand winner of the Telemundo “Padre Heroe” National Contest stole the hearts of everyone present with his simple words of advice to other parents; “I would advise you to help your children, anyway you can, so that they do not suffer like I suffered.” At 90 years of age, and his first public speaking event, he especially enjoyed attending the event at the campus of University of Southern California, as he humbly accepted the recognition and grand prize.
Background information from Wikipedia.
Xavier Becerra (/hɑːviˈɛər bɪˈsɛrə/, hah-vee-AIR (American Spanish: [haˈβjeɾ beˈse.ra]); born January 26, 1958) is an American politician and lawyer serving as the 33rd and current Attorney General of California since 2017. He previously was a member of the United States House of Representatives, representing Downtown Los Angeles in Congress from 1993 to 2017. Becerra, a member of the Democratic Party, was Chairman of the House Democratic Caucus from 2013 to 2017. On December 6, 2020 it was reported that President-elect Joe Biden intended to nominate Becerra to be the United States Secretary of Health and Human Services.[1][2]
Born in Sacramento, California, to Mexican parents, Becerra is a graduate of Stanford University, receiving his Juris Doctor from Stanford Law School. He worked as a lawyer at the Legal Assistance Corporation of central Massachusetts, before returning to California in 1986 to work as an administrative assistant for state senator Art Torres. He served as a deputy attorney general in the California Department of Justice from 1987 to 1990, before he was elected to the California State Assembly, where he served one term from 1990 to 1992.
Becerra was first elected to the House of Representatives in 1992. He represented California's 30th congressional district from 1993 to 2003, California's 31st congressional district from 2003 to 2013, and California's 34th congressional district from 2013 to 2017. He served as Chairman of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus from 1997 to 1999, Vice Chairman of the House Democratic Caucus from 2009 to 2013 and as a member of the Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction.
Contents
1 Early life and education
2 Early career
3 U.S. House of Representatives
3.1 Elections
3.2 Tenure
3.2.1 Taxes
3.2.2 Immigration
3.2.3 Women's issues
3.3 Committee assignments
3.4 Caucus memberships
4 Other political ambitions
4.1 Los Angeles mayoral election, 2001
4.2 Consideration for federal government positions
4.3 2020 Senate speculation
5 California Attorney General
6 Personal life
7 See also
8 References
9 External links
Early life and education
Born in Sacramento, California, on January 26, 1958, Becerra is the son of working-class immigrants from Jalisco, Mexico.[3][4][5] As a child, Becerra grew up in a one-room apartment with his three sisters.[citation needed] He graduated in 1976 from C.K. McClatchy High School, located in the center of Sacramento.[6] He studied abroad at the University of Salamanca in Salamanca, Spain, from 1978 to 1979, before earning his B.A. in economics from Stanford University in 1980, becoming the first person in his family to graduate from college.[7][8] He received his Juris Doctor from Stanford Law School in 1984 and was admitted to the State Bar of California in 1985.[9]
Early career
Becerra began his career a lawyer, working on cases involving individuals who had mental disorders for the Legal Assistance Corporation of central Massachusetts.[10]
Becerra worked as an administrative assistant for California State Senator Art Torres in 1986.[11] He served as a deputy attorney general in the California Department of Justice under Attorney General John Van de Kamp from 1987 to 1990.[12]
After incumbent State Assemblyman Charles Calderon decided to seek a seat in the California Senate, Becerra launched a grassroots campaign for the California State Assembly, defeating Calderon's Senate aide Marta Maestas in the Democratic primary.[13][better source needed] He went on to defeat Republican Lee Lieberg and Libertarian Steven Pencall, receiving 60% of the vote.[14] Becerra served one term in the State Assembly, representing California's 59th district, from 1990 to 1992.[4]
U.S. House of Representatives
Elections
In 1992, 25th district Congressman Edward Roybal announced his retirement after 30 years in Congress. Becerra entered the race for the seat, which had been renumbered as the 30th district after redistricting.[citation needed]
Becerra won the Democratic primary with a plurality of 32% of the vote.[15] In the general election, he defeated Republican nominee Morry Waksberg 58%–24%.[16]
He won re-election to a second term in 1994 with 66%[17] of the vote. His district was renumbered as the 31st district after the 2000 census.[citation needed]
After redistricting, ahead of the 2012 elections, most of Becerra's old district became the 34th district. He defeated Republican Stephen Smith 85.6% to 14.4%.[18]
Tenure
Xavier Becerra, Robert Matsui, and Elijah Cummings at a press conference on civil rights in 1997
Becerra was a prominent member of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, of which he served as chairman during the 105th Congress.[19] He was featured on The Colbert Report's Better Know a District on August 17, 2006.[20]
Becerra voted against the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 because he "wanted to see direct protections for responsible homeowners" in the bill.[21]
Becerra was appointed assistant to the Speaker of the House for the 110th Congress.[22] He won his bid to succeed John Larson as Vice-Chair in the 111th Congress, defeating Marcy Kaptur of Ohio by a vote of 175–67.[23]
Becerra successfully ran for a second term as Vice-Chair in 2011 to serve during the 112th Congress.[24]
During the 111th Congress and 112th Congress, Becerra served on several high-profile committees. He was appointed to serve on the National Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform (often called Bowles-Simpson/Simpson-Bowles) on March 24, 2010.[25] Becerra was selected to serve on the Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction (also known as the Super Committee) on August 11, 2011.[26] And on December 23, 2011, he was appointed to serve on a bicameral conference committee to find bipartisan solutions on middle-class tax cuts, unemployment insurance, and the Medicare physician payment rate.[27]
Taxes
Becerra consistently expressed opposition to Social Security and Medicare cuts and tax provisions seen to benefit outsourcers.[28] He argued against the Job Protection Act and Recession Prevention Act of 2012 which extended certain tax provisions enacted in 2001 and 2003 under President George W. Bush. Becerra voted against despite it passing the House of Representatives.[29] He consistently voted against budget plans that would protect tax cuts for higher income brackets by cutting Medicare, Medicaid, SNAP and certain federal services.[30]
Immigration
Becerra was a strong supporter of the DREAM Act and comprehensive immigration reform.[31] He supported the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program put in place by President Obama.[32]
Women's issues
Becerra voted against H.R. 3541, the Prenatal Non-Discrimination Act (PRENDA), which would have imposed civil and criminal penalties on anyone knowingly attempting to perform a sex-selective abortion. The 2012 bill also would have required health care providers to report known or suspected violations to law enforcement, including suspicions about a woman's motives for seeking an abortion.[33] Becerra received a 100% rating from Planned Parenthood and NARAL Pro-Choice America in 2012.[34][35] Becerra voted in favor of the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act of 2009 which made the 180-day statute of limitations for filing an equal-pay lawsuit regarding pay discrimination reset with each new paycheck affected by that discriminatory action.[36][37]
Committee assignments
Committee on Ways and Means
Subcommittee on Oversight
Subcommittee on Health
Subcommittee on Social Security
Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction
Caucus memberships
Congressional Hispanic Caucus (Former Chair)
Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus
Congressional Progressive Caucus
Other political ambitions
Los Angeles mayoral election, 2001
Becerra ran for mayor of Los Angeles in 2001. He finished with 6 % of the primary vote,[38] finishing behind businessman Steve Soboroff, Councilman Joel Wachs, former California State Assembly Speaker Antonio Villaraigosa, and the eventual winner, then-City Attorney James Hahn.[citation needed]
Consideration for federal government positions
In 2008, Becerra was considered for the position of U.S. Trade Representative in the administration of President-elect Obama.[39] While it was reported that he had already accepted,[40] he announced on December 15 that he would not accept the position.[citation needed] Becerra had endorsed then-Senator Barack Obama for president on January 27, 2008.[citation needed]
During the presidential transition of Joe Biden in 2020, it was reported that Becerra was being considered for the cabinet positions of Secretary of Homeland Security and Attorney General.[41]
2020 Senate speculation
In August 2020, California Senator Kamala Harris was selected by Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden as his Vice-Presidential running mate. After Biden ultimately won the general election, Becerra was floated as a possible replacement for Harris, along with others such as Representative Karen Bass, Secretary of State Alex Padilla, or former Secretary of Labor Hilda Solís.[42][43][44] Early December reports that Biden planned to nominate Becerra as Secretary of Health and Human Services rendered such speculation moot.
California Attorney General
Xavier Becerra speaking to the California Democratic Party State Convention in 2019
Becerra accepted Governor Jerry Brown's offer to be the Attorney General of California on December 1, 2016. The California Legislature confirmed Becerra to the post on January 23, 2017. He succeeded Kamala Harris, who was elected to the United States Senate.[45] Becerra was sworn in January 24, 2017, becoming the first Latino to serve as California's attorney general.[46] Becerra was elected to a full four-year term in 2018 after defeating Republican challenger Steven Bailey and securing 61 percent of the vote.[47]
Becerra brought fourteen felony charges against Center for Medical Progress activists for recording fourteen videos (see Planned Parenthood 2015 undercover videos controversy), and one felony charge for conspiring to invade privacy, on March 28, 2017.[48] The charges were dismissed by a California Superior Court judge in June for not stating the names of those recorded and the specific dates of the recordings;[49] the charges were refiled with the names and dates in July 2017.[50]
In 2018, Becerra created an environmental justice branch of the California Department of Justice. Among other projects, it opposed the effort to expand San Bernardino International Airport due to concerns regarding air pollution.[51]
Becerra delivered the Democratic Spanish-language response to President Trump's 2019 State of the Union address.[52]
In 2019, Becerra threatened reporters who had received records of California law enforcement officers who had been convicted of crimes during the past decade.[53]
In February 2019, Becerra, Governor Gavin Newsom, and 15 other states filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration over the president's declaration of a national emergency to fund a wall at the southern U.S. border.[54] As of September 26, 2019, Becerra had sued the Trump administration 62 times in total.[55]
Despite the multiple lawsuits against the Trump administration filed with other state attorneys general, Becerra has not joined antitrust efforts against any major tech companies. His office would not disclose whether it is examining any tech company and had not endorsed any joint investigations with other states.[56]
The Trump administration opened 1 million acres in California to fracking and drilling in December 2019.[57] Under the new policy, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) proposed new lease sales for oil and gas extraction along "California's Central Valley and Central Coast, touching eight counties and including 400,000 acres of public land."[58] California officials and agencies, including Becerra, filed a lawsuit against BLM in January 2020.[59][58]
As Attorney General of California, Becerra was tasked with writing ballot titles and summaries that appeared on voter information guides and ballots in both the 2018 and 2020 elections. Proponents accused Becerra multiple times of writing biased descriptions that violated the law, which requires "a true and impartial statement of the purpose" of measures. In one of many unsuccessful lawsuits against Becerra, a state judge wrote that Attorneys General have "wide latitude" in how they write ballot descriptions. Critics said the responsibility to write ballot title and summary should be transferred to a different, non-partisan office.[60][61]
In December 2020, Becerra was faulted by state district attorneys for not taking leadership to help stop what was described as the biggest taxpayer fraud in California's history. Investigators said federal pandemic unemployment benefits worth $400 million to possibly over $1 billion were fraudulently obtained in the names of ineligible prisoners by criminal associates. The vast majority of this money will likely never be recovered, prosecutors said.[62][63]
The New York Times reported in early December 2020 that president-elect Joe Biden would select Becerra as the United States Secretary of Health and Human Services.[64] Prior to being selected, Becerra was considered a leading contender to be the United States Attorney General in the Biden administration.[65][41]
Personal life
Becerra is married to physician Carolina Reyes.[66] He is a member of the Inter-American Dialogue think tank, based in Washington, D.C.[67]
See also
List of Hispanic and Latino Americans in the United States Congress
References
Stolberg, Sheryl Gay; Shear, Michael D. (December 6, 2020). "Biden Picks Xavier Becerra to Lead Health and Human Services". The New York Times. Archived from the original on December 6, 2020. Retrieved December 6, 2020.
"Xavier Becerra nominated by Biden to lead Department of Health and Human Services". www.cbsnews.com. Retrieved December 8, 2020.
"BECERRA, Xavier". United States House of Representatives. Archived from the original on November 24, 2020. Retrieved December 7, 2020.
"BECERRA, Xavier (1958-)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. Archived from the original on November 24, 2020. Retrieved December 7, 2020.
"CNN.com". CNN. Archived from the original on August 2, 2018. Retrieved February 2, 2013.
Congressional Directory 2011-2012 112th Congress. 2012. ISBN 9780160886539. Archived from the original on December 7, 2020. Retrieved October 16, 2020.
"Congressional Directory California Thirty-First District" (PDF). gpo.gov. Archived (PDF) from the original on October 18, 2015. Retrieved February 2, 2013.
Landler, Mark (December 4, 2008). "The New Team – Xavier Becerra". The New York Times. Archived from the original on September 7, 2017. Retrieved February 26, 2017.
"Attorney Search Xavier Becerra - #118517". calbar.ca.gov. Archived from the original on October 18, 2015. Retrieved February 2, 2013.
"Xavier Becerra Caucus Chairman Representing the 34th District of CA". dems.gov. Archived from the original on September 29, 2013.
"108th Congress Directory California Thirty-First District" (PDF). Government Publishing Office. Archived (PDF) from the original on October 18, 2015. Retrieved February 2, 2013.
"Xavier Becerra (D) House - California, District 34 - Up for re-election in 2012". projects.washingtonpost.com. Archived from the original on January 27, 2013. Retrieved February 2, 2013.
Acuna, Rodolfo (June 8, 1990). "The Candidate Who Upset Latino Politics: Xavier Becerra owes his victory to the people, not to the blessings of a papacito". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on February 4, 2012. Retrieved February 2, 2013.
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"Better Know a District - California's 31st - Javier Becerra". colbertnation.com. August 17, 2006. Archived from the original on November 19, 2012. Retrieved February 2, 2013.
Becerra, Xavier (October 1, 2008). "On the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act". The Becerra Blog. US House of Representatives. Archived from the original on December 11, 2008. Retrieved December 6, 2008.
Allen, Jonathan (November 17, 2009). "Pelosi thrown 'under the bus'". Politico. Archived from the original on November 24, 2020. Retrieved December 7, 2020.
Allen, Jared (November 10, 2008). "Dems back off leadership challenges". The Hill. Archived from the original on November 13, 2008. Retrieved November 10, 2008.
"Larson Applauds Nomination of Xavier Becerra to Serve as Secretary of Health and Human Services". Congressman John Larson. December 7, 2020. Retrieved December 8, 2020.
Bendery, Jennifer (March 24, 2010). "Pelosi Appoints Spratt, Becerra and Schakowsky to Fiscal Panel". Roll Call. Archived from the original on September 27, 2020. Retrieved December 7, 2020.
James, Frank (August 11, 2011). "Pelosi Chooses Clyburn, Van Hollen, Becerra For Deficits Super Panel". NPR. Archived from the original on November 11, 2018. Retrieved December 7, 2020.
Shiner, Meredith; Strong, Jonathan (November 23, 2011). "Congress Passes Payroll Tax Cut Deal, Shuts Down for Holidays". Roll Call. Archived from the original on October 28, 2020. Retrieved December 7, 2020.
Xavier Becerra DNC Speech Archived September 10, 2012, at the Wayback Machine (September 6, 2012) Vote Smart
Job Protection and Recession Prevention Act of 2012, Floor Speech Archived November 29, 2014, at the Wayback Machine (August 1, 2012) Vote Smart
Representative Becerra Votes Against Budget Plan that Picks Millionaires Over Middle Class Archived November 29, 2014, at the Wayback Machine (May 10, 2012) Vote Smart
Dream Act Statement Archived June 18, 2013, at the Wayback Machine (October 17, 2012) Vote Smart
Rep. Becerra: A New Day for Dreamers Archived November 29, 2014, at the Wayback Machine (August 15, 2012) Vote Smart
CAPAC Members Denounce Attack on Reproductive Rights Archived October 11, 2012, at the Wayback Machine (May 31, 2012) Vote Smart
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"FINAL VOTE RESULTS FOR ROLL CALL 37 Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act of 2009". clerk.house.gov. January 27, 2009. Archived from the original on July 7, 2010. Retrieved February 2, 2013.
Representative Becerra on Equal Pay Day Archived May 2, 2012, at the Wayback Machine (April 18, 2012) Vote Smart
Herszenhorn, David M. (May 9, 2016). "As Xavier Becerra Stirs Crowds, Hispanic Democrats See a Running Mate". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Archived from the original on November 25, 2020. Retrieved December 7, 2020.
Landler, Mark (December 5, 2008). "In Trade Post Contender, Political Benefits for Obama". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved December 7, 2020.
Allen, Jonathan (December 2, 2008). "Rep. Becerra Offered Trade Representative Post". CQ Politics. Archived from the original on December 7, 2008.
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Ting, Eric (November 7, 2020). "What happens to Kamala Harris' Senate seat now that she's vice president-elect?". SFGATE. Archived from the original on November 8, 2020. Retrieved November 7, 2020.
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Wire, Sarah D.; Myers, John (December 1, 2016). "Gov. Brown taps California's Rep. Xavier Becerra to be state's first Latino attorney general". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on December 2, 2016. Retrieved December 1, 2016.
"Essential Politics: Gov. Brown delivers State of the State address, Xavier Becerra is sworn in as California's new attorney general". Los Angeles Times. ISSN 0458-3035. Archived from the original on May 14, 2019. Retrieved January 25, 2017.
Miller, Cheryl (November 7, 2018). "Xavier Becerra Wins Four-Year Term as Attorney General". The Recorder. Archived from the original on April 14, 2019. Retrieved December 7, 2020.
Pérez-Peña, Richard (March 30, 2017). "Anti-Abortion Activists Charged in Planned Parenthood Video Case". The New York Times. p. A22. Archived from the original on March 30, 2017. Retrieved March 31, 2017.
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Egelko, Bob (July 7, 2017). "California files more charges against antiabortion activists". San Francisco Chronicle. Archived from the original on September 11, 2017. Retrieved September 11, 2017.
Schwartz, John (December 7, 2020). "Xavier Becerra Brings Environmental Justice to Forefront". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved December 7, 2020.
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"Governor Newsom, Attorney General Becerra, and 15 Partner States File Lawsuit Challenging President Trump's Contrived Declaration of National Emergency at the Southern Border". California Department of Justice. February 18, 2019. Archived from the original on April 6, 2019. Retrieved April 6, 2019.
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External links
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Xavier Becerra.
Wikisource has original works written by or about:
Xavier Becerra
California Department of Justice official website of the Attorney General
Campaign website
Biography at the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress
Profile at Vote Smart
Financial information (federal office) at the Federal Election Commission
Legislation sponsored at the Library of Congress
Appearances on C-SPAN Edit this at Wikidata
California Assembly
Preceded by
Charles Calderon Member of the California Assembly
from the 59th district
1990–1992 Succeeded by
Dick Mountjoy
U.S. House of Representatives
Preceded by
Marty Martínez Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from California's 30th congressional district
1993–2003 Succeeded by
Henry Waxman
Preceded by
Ed Pastor Chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus
1997–1999 Succeeded by
Lucille Roybal-Allard
Preceded by
Hilda Solis Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from California's 31st congressional district
2003–2013 Succeeded by
Gary Miller
Preceded by
Lucille Roybal-Allard Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from California's 34th congressional district
2013–2017 Succeeded by
Jimmy Gomez
Party political offices
Preceded by
John Spratt House Democratic Assistant to the Leader
2007–2009 Succeeded by
Chris Van Hollen
Preceded by
John Larson Vice Chair of the House Democratic Conference
2009–2013 Succeeded by
Joe Crowley
Chair of the House Democratic Conference
2013–2017
Legal offices
Preceded by
Kathleen Kenealy
Acting Attorney General of California
2017–present Incumbent
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