November 21, 2003

Silicon Valley is integral to state’s recovery,
Schwarzenegger says at Legends and Leaders dinner

By Kymberli W. Brady
Staff Writer

The San Jose Silicon Valley Chamber of Commerce’s annual Legends and Leaders dinner event drew a sold-out crowd of more than 1,100 people, where Governor-elect Arnold Schwarzenegger honored his obligation to speak at the event, which was made long before his rise to political victory in California.

Although more than 250 people had to wait over 30 minutes to meet Schwarzenegger, who arrived late to a VIP reception last Friday, no one seemed bothered as they took their place in line for a photo op with the governor-elect prior to the event at the Fairmont Hotel.

Outside, more than 50 people from the Homeless Alliance Ministry gathered to demonstrate and send a message to Schwarzenegger about the need to address poor, homeless and immigrant issues.

Sitting alongside Schwarzenegger at the head table were Chamber President and CEO Jim Cunneen, Chamber Chairman Mike Fox, Mayor Ron Gonzales, Vice-Mayor Pat Dando, former Mayor Tom McEnry, and representatives from Applied Materials, the presenting sponsor. Also in attendance were State Senator Liz Figeroa, State Assembly Member Abel Maldonado, Sheriff Laurie Smith, Superintendent of Schools Dr. Linda Murray and City Council members Cindy Chavez, Judy Chirco, Dave Cortese, Terry Gregory, Linda LeZotte, Chuck Reed, Forrest Williams and Ken Yeager.

“We spent a lot of time at the Chamber getting ready for this event,” said director of communications Ken Heiman. “I don’t know of anyone who’s a bigger name than Arnold Schwarzenegger right now. We actually had to move the date because of his inauguration on Monday and it was still sold out, with a waiting list of about 100.”

“This is the only organization we know of that gives out generous cash grants like we will tonight to education leaders and the only local business association with a million dollar foundation—funds set aside and dedicated to the capitol means of nonprofits in this community,” said Chamber CEO Jim Cunneen in his opening remarks. “This is not your father’s chamber of commerce.”

Those receiving $2,000 cash grants included San Jose High Academy student Maryam Amir-Ebrahimi, Kennedy Middle School teacher Mariana Latham, Horace Mann Academy Principal Adam Escoto and Andrew Hill High School Principal Dr. Bruce Schimizu. Also honored at the dinner were J. Richard Braugh, Michael E. Fox Sr. and Intel Corporation for contributions to leadership and corporate involvement in educational programs.

After re-introducing himself as Maria Shriver’s husband during the well-received opening of his keynote address, Schwarzenegger went on to stress the importance of better education and after-school programs, especially in the Silicon Valley. “I think it’s absolutely essential that we have our kids ready for the next high-tech boom,” he said. “Last time, you had to go outside the state and outside the country to find talent. This should never happen again.”

Schwarzenegger admitted that promoting the After-School All Stars program, a crusade he started 12 years ago was his way of giving back so that children, might receive the benefits of education that he received in Austria. With humble roots in East Los Angeles, the program now benefits more than 200,000 kids in 15 different cities nationwide, including San Jose. “The only way we can get the money for these programs is to bring the economy back,” he said. “To bring businesses back to California, to make sure that we are taking some of the regulations away, and to make sure we get rid of the high cost of unemployment insurance and workers compensation.”

“There is no economic recovery if there is no economic recovery in the Silicon Valley and in San Jose,” he added. “It is absolutely essential that we do everything we can in Sacramento to help the Silicon Valley come back to full speed and power.”

Although allowed very little in the way of photo ops, over 100 representatives from the media attended the event, including both local and international press. “There’s a heavy press interest in this and we’re getting good national attention,” said Heiman. “There’s even a couple of newspapers here from Japan because Arnold is such a big deal overseas.”

Following the event, Schwarzenegger left for Sacramento, where he was sworn in as governor on Monday. Echoing the words of President Kennedy during his inaugural speech on the steps of the state capitol, he called for an end to partisan bitterness and a coming together of leaders for the “good of California.”

He vowed to immediately sign Executive Order No. 1, repealing the 300 percent increase in a car tax, and then call a special session of the Legislature to address the budget and worker’s compensation reform.

“I will not rest until our fiscal house is in order,” he said. “I will not rest until California has a competitive job creating machine. I will not rest until the people of California come to see their government as a partner in their lives, and not a roadblock to their dreams.”