WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congressman Dennis Cardoza (D-Merced) called on President Barack Obama to visit the Central Valley during his scheduled trip to California Thursday and Friday.  The Valley has been ground-zero for the housing crisis, and unemployment has risen above 20% in some communities.  Modesto, Stockton and Merced have the 2^nd, 3^rd, and 9^th highest foreclosure rates in the country, and three out of five homeowners are “under water,” owing more on their home loans than their houses are worth.

 

The President announced today he will travel to San Francisco Bay Area on Thursday to meet with a number of business leaders in technology and innovation.

 

“The Valley has been ground zero for the housing crisis and one in five people can’t find work,” said Congressman Cardoza.  “Yet the President still has not visited our communities, not even once.  The Valley is less than 90 minutes from San Francisco, and I urge the President to make it a priority to see with his own eyes the economic devastation we are coping with in this hard-hit region. 

 

Earlier today, Congressman Cardoza formally requested a meeting with President and repeated his request that the President visit the Central Valley.  In a letter, Congressman Cardoza wrote, “We have an unprecedented crisis on our hands in the Central Valley.  My definition of ‘crisis’ is a disaster that requires an immediate response.  Since your election, I have personally written more than 25 letters to your Administration pleading for action to stem the crisis.”

Congressman Cardoza continued, “I understand that our entire nation is hurting right now.  But the fact remains, the people I was elected to represent are suffering far worse than others.  My district cannot wait any longer for assistance.  We need your Administration to finally take immediate action that produces tangible results and brings actual relief that is long overdue.