Hundreds of colleagues, constituents and loved ones celebrated the latest achievement of former Pacoima resident Congresswoman Luz Rivas during her community swearing-in ceremony at Los Angeles Mission College in Sylmar.
Rivas, the first Latina to represent California’s 29th Congressional District, was elected last November, stepping into the seat previously held for 12 years by former Congressman Tony Cárdenas, who also grew up in Pacoima and endorsed Rivas in her race to fill his seat upon his retirement.
Cárdenas administered the oath of office to Rivas, who stood alongside her proud mother Esthela Perez Larios, who fought back tears as she held the Bible her daughter placed her hand on as she recited the oath.
Cárdenas officially pronounced, “Congratulations, Congresswoman Luz Rivas,” to applause and cheers from the standing-room-only crowd.
She thanked the area residents, community leaders, former teachers and childhood friends dating back to kindergarten, as well as new colleagues who witnessed this trailblazing moment.
Rivas reiterated her commitment to serving working families in the San Fernando Valley.
“I promise to fly to Washington, D.C., each week with your hopes, your dreams and concerns on my mind,” said Rivas, who attributed her current role as a Congresswoman to the “hard work and sacrifices of so many people [who] made … this moment possible,” including her mother, an immigrant who raised two daughters as a single working parent.
“I will fight for our public school students, and protect and expand their opportunities to not only catch up, but to get ahead,” she said.
In addition, Rivas vowed to “stand up” to polluters who jeopardize the health and livelihoods of community members.
“For years, companies have viewed our community as a dumping ground for their trash and debris,” she said, noting that their actions have contributed to high asthma rates and other respiratory illnesses. “This community deserves leaders who will prioritize public health [and] the environment.”
Challenging the Trump Administration
Rivas emphasized her intention to fight back against the current administration’s attempts to sow fear and separation, especially among immigrant families.
“President [Donald] Trump and Republicans are trying to instill fear and divide our [immigrant] communities,” she said. “Everyone here knows that immigrants make our community stronger.”
Another top concern for Rivas is the administration’s goal of reducing federal spending by slashing billions in funding for Medicaid – dubbed Medi-Cal in California – which serves as a lifeline for millions of Americans nationwide.
“In my district, over half of the constituents rely on Medicaid for healthcare – 52% in this area. We need that healthcare,” Rivas told the San Fernando Valley Sun/el Sol.
“It’s just horrible what’s happening, what the administration is doing, [not just] to communities like ours, [but] across the country,” she added, noting that many of the children, adults and seniors who stand to lose their healthcare if Medicaid is cut reside in Republican strongholds.
Rivas said she and other House Democrats are seeking the support of three Republicans to push through legislation to stop the Medicaid cuts.
“We continue to fight back … but unfortunately we’re in the minority,” she explained.
Despite the dire circumstances, Rivas encourages people to “stay engaged, stay tuned and be ready to mobilize.”
“We have upcoming elections in 2026 for the House, but I can assure my constituents that I’m doing everything I can,” she said.
California Senator Alex Padilla, who was also raised in Pacoima and attended San Fernando High School with Rivas, said he is both proud and relieved to “have Luz as a champion in the House of Representatives, as I’m fighting the fight on the other side of the Capital.”
Padilla lauded Rivas for seeking public office with the aim “to serve and help people,” and for continuing her political career at such a crucial period in the history of this country.
“I don’t think you have to name names to state the obvious [regarding] the attacks on our communities in so many ways,” he said. “We’re here at a community college, an institute of higher education, while there are efforts to eliminate the United States Department of Education.”
Padilla said it was an important contrast to note as they celebrated Rivas, who he described as a staunch advocate for education, environmental justice and for immigrants.
Rivas is taking office at a time when gains for women and people of color are being reversed. Immediately after his inauguration, Trump with much bravado signed an executive order banning all diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility (DEIA) policies and programs across the federal government.
“Our country’s greatest strength is the diversity of our workforce, regardless of what the current administration says,” said Rivas.
“At this critical time,” Padilla said, “I feel better knowing that if I just look way down the hall in the Capital … I see not just a San Fernando High School Tiger … not just a former member of the California State Assembly, but, as of Jan. 3 of this year, Congresswoman Luz Rivas.”
Raised Striving to Reach Higher
While growing up in Pacoima, Rivas said she and her sister attended local schools as their mother worked overtime Monday to Friday and cleaned houses on weekends. They moved every one or two years because her mother was always “looking for a better place for us to live.”
After graduating from San Fernando High, Rivas earned a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and a master’s in education from Harvard University. Before turning to politics, she worked as an electrical engineer and founded DIY (Do It Yourself) Girls, a nonprofit to help girls interested in science and engineering careers.
“I wanted to give girls, especially girls of color that look like me, an opportunity to see a future with STEM [science, technology, engineering and math],” she said.
Rivas said she will always strive to do her best for her community.
“The valley will always be home, and it is the honor of a lifetime to represent my home in Congress,” she said.
Editor Diana Martinez contributed to this article.
Wow 🤯 Great News! I met Luz at SFV Library Meeting and she was open to hearing people out. A proud moment! 🍾
Thanks for sharing Sol