Congresswoman Lucille Roybal-Allard (CA-34) visited with seniors from various Southeast cities who attended the Cudahy Senior Center’s annual King and Queen Crowning in Turner Hall at Clara Street Park.  The congresswoman congratulated Blanca Enriquez and Harry Sherman for being named the center’s 2010 King and Queen.

During the congresswoman’s remarks at the event, she highlighted the importance of the upcoming 2010 Census.  Cities in Southeast Los Angeles, such as Cudahy and its neighboring communities, have been historically undercounted.  Statistics collected by the Census help determine federal funding for various local programs such as local senior center resources, funding for public schools, local police departments and libraries.  As Congresswoman Roybal-Allard noted, “If you do not participate in the 2010 Census, as far as the federal government is concerned, you do not exist.”

Pictured in the photo from left to right: 2009 King and Queen Maria Sermino and Jose Luis Cortes, Cudahy Vice Mayor Frank Gurule, Manuel Buenrostro (Cudahy Commissioner), Congresswoman Roybal-Allard, 2010 King and Queen Blanca Enriquez and Harry Sherman, Cudahy Mayor David Silva, Cudahy Councilman Josue Barrios (back row), Cudahy Councilman Juan Romo.