Winkler took a day off from work to take a bus trip to Sacramento with the African Episcopal Methodist Church. It was in support of the preservation of Allensworth.
Allen Allensworth was one of the greatest of Black Americans. He received the highest military award that was permitted for blacks in that era of bigotry. He was awarded a Lieutenant Colonel.
Lieutenant Colonel Allensworth was sick-and-tired of the discrimination suffered by black people and decided to do something about it. He founded the town of Allensworth. Allensworth was a town governed by black people and owned by black people. A black person could own his own home, farm, shop, and business. Here was the "liberty and justice for all" promised all Americans in our Pledge of Allegiance to our flag.
Sadly, in all of the schools that I'm assigned to work, there was no portrait of Lieutenant Colonel Allensworth, and no mention of him during Black History month. Our teachers are not aware of this very great man.
The Governor of California intended to support California's agribusiness by having farms established around the town of Allensworth. The smell from cow manure alone would strangle the town. Tourists would stop coming and residents would leave.
I was made aware of the problem at one of the meetings of the Los Angeles County Democratic Central Committee. So I decided to sacrifice a days' pay of $173.00 and take the bus trip to Sacramento with the group that was going. I was the only white person on the bus and the only member from the 38th Assembly District.
Sadly, the 38th Assembly District is often very active in issues concerning the 38th. Winkler, on the contrary, will fly as far north as Portland, Oregon and as far south as Miami, Florida, if the summons is sounded for help. Incidentally, there is a good argument for being parochial and to be only concerned for your own backyard. However, that is not Winkler.
We did not achieve everything that we wanted, but we did force the Governor to compromise his position. For the time being, Allensworth is safe.
So, if you make the decision to re-elect Winkler, then be aware, that he will work hard for the 38th. However, be also aware, that life does not begin and end with the 38th. I will invade another assembly district to help, if the summons is called for help. I will sacrifice a days' pay or a weeks' pay. That is just being WINKLER!
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