United Democratic Headquarters Celebrates Obama’s 51st Birthday

By Arianna Locatell

In honor of President Barack Obama’s 51st birthday, the United Democratic Headquarters kicked off their grand opening with a celebratory event on August 4.
With a lively crowd, special guests and a plethora of food, the event was a success. Everyone was welcome at the event; despite a full house, no one was turned away. Attendees socialized over a dinner of salad and pizza, and then enjoyed desserts as the Jennifer Leitham Jazz Duo graced the room with atmospheric sound. A diverse range of people attended the event Saturday: women, men, LGBT advocates, college students, handicapped individuals, elderly individuals, families with children, and people of varied ethnic backgrounds. Senator Carol Liu, Congresswoman Judy Chu, Councilman Chris Holden and Assemblymember Anthony Portantino made commemorative speeches at the celebration. The event concluded with the presentation of a birthday cake and the Community Bible Gospel Choir leading the guests in singing the traditional ‘ Happy Birthday.’
Proud of Obama’s achievements, the UDH flaunted democratic success and educated their guests by decorating the walls with posters noting his accomplishments. Obama’s posted achievements include, but are not limited to: signing the Affordable Care Act, repealing “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” eliminating Osama Bin Laden, ending the war in Iraq, increased support for veterans, signing the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, protecting two liberal seats in the U.S. Supreme Court, creating 3.7 million private-sector jobs with the stimulus, saving the auto industry from failure and creating over 100,000 jobs, beginning the drawdown of the war in Afghanistan, expanding wilderness and watershed protection, eliminating banks from federal student loan programs and increasing Pell Grant funds.
The United Democratic Headquarters is a coalition of eight democratic groups in the Pasadena area. Located in Pasadena at 519 South Lake Avenue, the UDH helps elect democratic politicians by recruiting progressive voters. Volunteers dedicate time to the UDH, assisting with fundraisers, canvassing neighborhoods and operating phone banks. Every year they’re in operation, the United Democratic Headquarters successfully increases the number of democratic voters, and therefore democratic politicians, by registering thousands of people to vote. The United Democratic Headquarters will support president Obama, rallying democratic votes for him during the 2012 elections.
On August 4, the UDH held an event in honor of president Obama’s birthday combined with their grand opening, but it was ultimately a celebration of democracy, and the change that can occur on a community level. If interested in assisting the UDH, one can do so by volunteering or making donations. To learn more about the United Democratic Headquarters, visit: pasadenademocrats.com.

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