By Jacqueline Garcia, Exclusive for California-Mexico Studies Center’s “El Magonista”
March 24, 2016
California-Mexico Dreamers and supporters gathered at California State University, Long Beach on Monday, March 21st to honor the life and legacy of Marco Antonio Firebaugh on the 10th anniversary of his passing.
Marco Antonio Firebaugh is remembered as someone who dedicated support for underserved communities and undocumented students throughout his career.
Dreamers from various L.A. area colleges and universities, and immigrant advocates gathered in front of Brotman Hall to share their gratitude and memories of the assemblyman.
Marco Antonio Firebaugh served in the California State Assembly from 1998 to 2004, representing Southeast Los Angeles County communities and during the last two years of his term he became the majority floor leader. He was also the chairman of the California Latino Legislative Caucus.
Although Firebaugh may be recognized for many accomplishments during his legislative career, it is his creation of Assembly Bill 540 that has left a lasting legacy.
Signed into law in 2001 by then Governor Gray Davis, the AB-540 law allows undocumented students who attend a California high school for at least three years the right to qualify for in-state tuition to public colleges and universities, regardless of their immigration status.
While Firebaugh was a strong advocate for the most vulnerable communities in the state and often fought for what he believed was right in education, health and immigration matters, he was also fighting a personal battle of his own.
In 2003, he was diagnosed with a serious liver condition. Three years later, on March 21, 2006, he succumbed to liver failure and influenza.
Firebaugh died while running for the Democratic nomination in the 32nd Senate District, which covers Southeast Los Angeles. During his time as an assembly member he opened doors to rising talent in pursuit of a break in politics.
South Gate Mayor, Jorge Morales was one of those who got his break thanks to Marco Antonio Firebaugh. While working as a legislative aide for the assembly member, Mayor Morales recalls learning about leadership through Firebaugh. He credits Firebaugh, who encouraged him to fight for his dreams and never give up, for his career in politics today.
“Be humble…be loyal…and work with ganas,” Mayor Jorge Morales recalled the state assemblyman saying to anyone he came in contact with, wise words that remain with him.
Lynwood Mayor Pro-Tem, Aide Castrois someone else who was influenced by Marco Antonio Firebaugh.
Mayor Pro-Tem Castro spoke about the day she was working on a campaign to recall four council members in the city of Lynwood.
She recalls being asked by Firebaugh whether she was certain about what she was doing and after responding that she was, he responded, “If that’s what you believe in, keep fighting for it. Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.”
Instilling the same sense of empowerment, Castro told the group at the vigil—a majority of them undocumented students—to never give up on their dreams.
“I can tell you that I believe in you, but you also have to believe in yourself,” she told the crowd.
Although many students present at the vigil may have been too young to personally meet Firebaugh, nonetheless, they expressed their gratitude to Marco while sharing their personal testimonies.
They commended the assemblyman for the mark he left in California’s higher education system and for indirectly making a difference in their lives.
Today, Firebaugh’s legacy is kept alive through Lynwood’s Marco Antonio Firebaugh High School, and throughout California with several organizations and institutions offering scholarships and programs under his name.
Some of these include, the Mexican American Legal Defense and Education Fund (MALDEF), the California Community Foundation, the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) School of Law, and now the Marco Antonio Firebaugh Dreamers Study Abroad Scholarship Fund recently established by the California-Mexico Studies Center (CMSC).
Elected officials across the state joined the vigil honoring Marco Antonio Firebaugh, by adopting memorial resolutions in his memory. Senate President Kevin de Leon, Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon, South Gate Mayor Jorge Morales, the Los Angeles City Council, Long Beach Mayor Robert Garcia and Councilman Roberto Uranga, all passed memorial resolutions to honor Firebaugh’s legacy.
Professor Armando Vazquez-Ramos, President of the California-Mexico Studies Center, emphasized the importance of keeping his memory alive 10 years later. “Marco, was someone who sought to bring opportunities and represent underserved communities, he was humble and willing to help those in greatest need: the immigrant population,” said Vazquez-Ramos.
In particular, professor Vazquez-Ramos highlighted the importance of helping underserved students, but especially undocumented students, as he expounded about the recently established Marco Antonio Firebaugh Dreamers Study Abroad Scholarship Fund.
A program that has demonstrated that Dreamers can return to their birthplace and re-enter the U.S. legally through a special permit granted for an educational purpose, based on the success of the CMSC’s California-Mexico Dreamers Study Abroad program, which granted 30 Dreamers from 18 different colleges and universities the opportunity to study and visit their families in Mexico.
On May 1st, 2016, the California-Mexico Studies Center will celebrate the first Marco Antonio Firebaugh Day with a major fundraising event to promote the Marco Antonio Firebaugh Dreamers Study Abroad Scholarship Fund.
“While people throughout the world celebrate May Day, we plan to honor and celebrate Marco’s legacy with a fundraiser that will help us provide an opportunity for up to 100 Dreamers to study and re-connect with their families in Mexico and Central America during this summer,” said Vazquez-Ramos.
To learn more about the California-Mexico Studies Center and/or to donate for the CMSC’s 2016 Summer Dreamers study abroad programs visit: https://www.flipcause.com/secure/cause_pdetails/NTU4Mw
