WASHINGTON, D.C. - United States Representative Joe Baca (D-Rialto) pledged to continue working hard for growth and prosperity in the Inland Empire when he took the oath of office at noon today. Baca, who represents California's redrawn 43^rd Congressional District, was sworn in for his second full term during the opening ceremony of the 108^th Congress in the House chamber of the U.S. Capitol.

"The people of the Inland Empire have entrusted me with a very important job - a job that I take very seriously," Baca said. "I will continue to work day and night to address the concerns that families wrestle with everyday - preparing for retirement, providing a high-quality education for their kids, paying the rising costs of prescription drugs, handling crucial water and transportation issues - these are the issues we must face."

"I am dedicated and committed to winning the war on terrorism, but real security also includes economic, health, and educational security for every American."

Baca's first official act of the 108^th Congress was to join with House Democrats in proposing a fast-acting, fair, and fiscally-responsible economic stimulus package. He also called on President Bush and Congressional Republicans to join with him to immediately extend unemployment benefits to assist the almost 125,000 unemployed Californians.

"The economic plan that Democrats unveiled yesterday is the right direction for American working families," Baca said. "It will stimulate the economy where it's needed most - by creating jobs and extending unemployment benefits so working families can get back on their feet."

"It places money back in the hands of hard working, middle class families, instead of giving massive tax breaks to the wealthy. The President's plan is just a return to the failed trickle down theories of the 1980's, when the wealthy were given huge breaks, which they invested in companies that shipped jobs overseas. Working families deserve better than to wait for the Republican's tax giveaways for the wealthy to trickle down once again."

In addition to working to stimulate the economy, Baca said he plans to address important water, transportation, and infrastructure development issues in the District during the 108^th Congress. He also plans to introduce new ideas and reintroduce important legislation that he brought up during the 107th Congress.