Congressman Becerra: Los Angeles Has The Buzz Ahead Of 2024 Olympics

Democratic Caucus Chairman Xavier Becerra (CA-34) delivered keynote remarks today at the Los Angeles Business Council's annual summit. A transcript of his speech follows here:

"I wish I could be in LA with you today. Right now, we're very busy in the House of Representatives passing bills that will never become law and waiting to see who wants to run this place.

"As you all churn the idea of LA and where we're heading and what's going to happen with the Olympics in 2024, there are a few points I want to get across. We're ready. We've proven we can do this. And we have the buzz.

"More than 44 million people came to visit our town a year ago. LA County created more than 100,000 jobs last year and we're on pace to do at least that this year. We're on the move.

"Raising the wage to $15 an hour is huge; many of those who are making less than $15 an hour live in my congressional district. It's going to be important and will make us even more bullish on our city.

"Speaking of bullish - the Staples Center, Microsoft Theater, the Galen Center at USC, the tennis stadium and soccer stadium that StubHub has. We're going to have another professional soccer stadium right next to the Coliseum in a matter of a year or two. We're going to have at least one football team, maybe two and, who knows, maybe three.

"We are doing things so that if you take the glass that's at your table, it's half full. Talk to the folks at some of the largest periodicals in our nation. Some are claiming that LA is the best when it comes to weather in our county. We know it, but now The Atlantic magazine is telling people that as well.

"We have everything it takes to be make people want to be in LA. LA County is home to over 100 colleges, 33 community colleges, and some of the best universities in the nation - CalTech, USC, and of course, UCLA.
"If you think back 30 years or so when we last held the Olympics in 1984, UCLA beat then 7th ranked USC… I'll stop because I know there is cheering and booing going on.

"We're going to see a lot go on. Between now and 2024 when the Olympics come to Los Angeles, we're probably going to see two football teams already playing in LA. The Galaxy will have won its 10th MLS Cup. The Dodgers will win a World Series. Kobe Bryant will probably lead the Lakers to another championship. I might be off on one of those but that's what optimism does for you. We believe in ourselves, our city, and our county.

"In 1984, when LA held the Olympics, we received about $45 million from the federal government for security. That would translate into something over something over $100 million in today's dollars.

"In 1996, Atlanta got $170 million. That translates to $259 million in 2015 dollars.

"In 2002, in Salt Lake City got $400 million, which in today's money, is $529 million.

"I don't think I need to tell you that right now, this Congress is having a hard time passing a budget. Right now, in about eight legislative days if we don't act, we may not be paying our bills. We need folks to be able to do their work.

"If we get our work done in Congress, in 2024 we need to make sure the federal government is a partner with the city of LA and the County of Los Angeles when it comes to the Olympics. We need to have that help because the security of 2024 will be much different than the security of 1984. We need to be prepared.

"If Salt Lake City can get the equivalent of $529 million from the federal government in 2015 dollars, then we have to fight to get our fair share so that LA can prove to the world that we're ready to lead.

"There's a lot we need to do together. The good thing is that the glass is half full for us in Los Angeles. I believe people understand that, because if more than 40 million come visit, they know that something is going on. It's up to us to be bullish on our City and our County. I look forward and believe we have much to accomplish.

"The wage will continue to go up, not because we are passing legislation to make that happen, but because all of you who are in business will help us prosper so that on a more natural level, we're trying to raise the wage of all Americans and certainly all Angelenos.

"So we can all make our City and our County the best place it can be. If The Atlantic thinks this is the best place to be, who are we to deny that. Let's work hard and make it clear that just as we ended up with a surplus in 1984, in 2024 we're just going to blow it out of the park.

"We're ready and I look forward to working with you as we can do it together. I toast LA; let's get to work."

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