Legislative Wrap-Up: What Elected Officials Were Doing This Week

Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-Dublin) was one of the Congressional representatives who made a trip to Israel to discuss Middle East peace. Swalwell and others met with Israel's prime minister and the Palestine Liberation Organization's chief negotiator.

Swalwell also announced the Child, Family and Community Services office in Union City was selected for a $7 million federal grant for its Head Start and Early Head Start programs in Hayward, Union City, Fremont and other communities in southern Alameda County.

The Assembly approved a bill co-authored by Assemblywoman Susan Bonilla (D-Concord) that protects young athletes in youth sports programs from sexually abusive and violent individuals.

The bill, AB 465, authorizes all California youth sports programs to administer criminal background checks on volunteer coaches and receive subsequent arrest notifications on those individuals.

The bill now heads to the governor's office for consideration.

Rep. Mike Thompson (D-Napa) was elected to the California Waterfowler's Hall of Fame. The hall recognizes individuals who have contributed to enhancing and conserving waterfowl and their habitats in the state.

Thompson, a long-time hunter and conservationist, is the first sitting elected official elected to the hall. He was recognized for his years of helping protect waterfowl while he was in the state Senate as well as his current position in Congress.