Woods Loses Bout for Congressional Seat

Anthony Woods was raised by a single mother who was a housekeeper. He went on however to graduate from West Point and Harvard. He served two terms in Iraq and was awarded the bronze medal. He biked across the U.S. to raise money for habitat for humanity. He helped rebuild homes in New Orleans demolished by hurricane Katrina. Yet Woods was dismissed from the military for being honest about his sexuality under the current Don’t Ask Don’t Tell policy, which means he has to repay the entire amount granted by the U.S. military for his education cost.

In spite of being kicked out of the military, Anthony was seeking to continue serving his country as he was also running to take the place of Ellen Tauscher in the U.S. Congress. Tauscher, a Democratic Representative left her post in California’s 10th Congressional District to work for the Obama administration’s secretary of state.

Unfortunately, Woods came in 4th for his bid to run.

But, I feel certain this bright, hard-working and honest 28 year-old, who has a great deal to offer will be back to run again…and you never know…he just may be the first openly gay president of the U.S.A. someday.

He has my vote!

VoteVets.org Endorses Woods for Congress

Courtesy of Anthony Woods for Congress:

The largest progressive group of veterans in America, with more than 100,000 members, has endorsed Anthony Woods’ campaign for Congress in California’s 10th District. VoteVets.org PAC will add Woods to its list of endorsed veteran candidates, and donate to his campaign.

“Anthony Woods is a historic candidate for a critical point in history,” said Jon Soltz, Iraq War Veteran, and Chairman of VoteVets.org. “Anthony is fresh, eager, and has an incredible track record of service. His military record is incredibly impressive. And, he’ll bring vigorous leadership to Congress that will benefit his district. We urge voters in his district to send him to Congress.”

Soltz particularly was impressed with Woods’ insight into military issues, and his record in the Armed Services.

“More and more, older veterans are retiring, leaving a dearth of experience in Congress on military issues. Anthony understands these issues incredibly well, and it’s important to have his expertise there in the halls of power,” said Soltz.

You can read more about Anthony Woods and his amazing story by clicking here.

Anthony Woods Speaks OUT on DADT

Last night, Harvard graduate, congressional hopeful, and openly gay politician Anthony Woods spoke to CNN about Don’t Ask Don’t Tell policy, which was the demise of his career as a soldier.  He does say however, that DADT is not part of his motivation behind running for congress.  Check out what he has to say below, and for more information on Anthony Woods, click here.

Woods Petitions for Service to College Program

West Point Graduate calls rewarding national service with college “a win/win for our economy and our security.”

Fairfield, CA: In a blog and web video released earlier today, CA 10 Democratic Candidate Anthony Woods launched an online petition drive to support a National Service to College program, which would provide one year of tuition for each year of national service in the military, AmeriCorps, Peace Corps or another full time service program.

The son of a single mother who worked as a housekeeper, Woods noted that he would not have been able to attend college had it not been for a Congressional Appointment to the United States Military Academy at West Point.  There, Woods graduated on the Dean’s List, served on the Honor Committee, and went on to command more than 80 soldiers over the course of two combat deployments to Iraq.

Upon his return home, Woods went on to participate in numerous volunteer service projects, making four trips to New Orleans to help with post-Hurricane Katrina rebuilding efforts.

“Service for College is a win/win bargain that makes our country stronger and trains more Americans for the high-skill and high-wage jobs that will keep us economically competitive,” Woods said.  “I’ve seen first hand the tremendous need for, as well as the impact of, national service.  I’ve seen the need for more people in our military, so we are not constantly straining our troops to the breaking point.  I’ve seen the need for committed citizens who can help fill in the gaps for neighbors in need here at home.  And I’ve seen how national service transforms people and helps build a model of life-long engagement that is America at its best.”

Despite the widely held view that access to higher education is critical for American workers looking to compete in the global economy of the 21^st Century, recent studies have found that it is increasingly out of reach for millions of American families.  Similar studies have noted higher education access as a challenge for American businesses seeking to replace retiring baby boomers so they can compete in emerging technology fields in a rapidly changing global marketplace.

For example, the Workforce Alliance has reported that the United States is trailing other industrialized nations in terms of workforce development investment, and spending 29% less on workforce development than it did during the late 1980’s.  The Alliance has also suggested that baby boomer retirements coupled with continued under-investment in American workforce development could yield a shortage of 5.3 million skilled US workers by the year 2010.

In 2008, the National Center for Public Policy and Higher Education (NCPPHE) gave 49 states a “failing grade” in terms of college affordability, noting that costs were increasing substantially while wages remained stagnant.   In an interview following release of these findings, NCPPHE’s President linked recent tuition increases with disproportionate cuts in support from state governments looking to close budget gaps.

“For too long, politicians have used cuts to public schools and financial aid programs, as well as tuition hikes at universities as a means for closing budget gaps,” Woods wrote.  “We know that these short-sighted decisions come at an immense long-term cost to America’s economy, the competitiveness of our workforce, and ultimately, our security.”

“After WWII, millions of Americans called to serve were able to access college through the GI Bill.  America then experienced 25 years of innovation and prosperity, and the continued contributions of a generation steeped in national service,” Woods added.  “As a proud member of the millennial generation, which is the largest in history, I am convinced that plans like Service to College can unlock even greater potential, enhancing our competitiveness, growing our economy and strengthening our communities for decades to come.”

READ ANTHONY WOODS’ SERVICE TO COLLEGE BLOG WITH VIDEO HERE:  http://www.calitics.com/showDiary.do?diaryId=9029

Anthony Woods is a graduate of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point and Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government.  He is a veteran of two combat tours in Iraq, and was awarded both the Bronze Star and Army Commendation Medal for his service. Woods is a native of Fairfield, CA, and is campaigning for the expected Special Election to replace Representative Ellen Tauscher (nominated to serve in the Obama Administration) in California’s 10^th District.

P.O. Box 28
Fairfield, CA 94533

www.anthonywoodsforcongress.com

Paid For and Authorized by Anthony Woods for Congress

Gay Iraqi War Vet Speaks OUT on Prop 8 Ruling

In response to the California Supreme Court’s decision to uphold Proposition 8 today, CA 10 Democratic Congressional Candidate Anthony Woods issued the following statement:

“Yesterday, our nation honored the hundreds of thousands of brave Americans who have given their lives in defense of our security and our highest ideals. Among them, tens of thousands of African Americans, who gave their lives or returned home from battle to a nation still gripped by the oppression of ‘separate but equal.’

Today, more than 65,000 members of the GLBT community serve in our armed forces, defending and championing freedom and equality on the battlefields of Iraq, Afghanistan, and other points around the globe. They too are coming home to find their willingness to serve, and their families treated as ‘less than equal.’

This is a disappointing decision by the California Supreme Court, but it is also a reminder that the battle for equality in this country has yet to be won. We can and must live up to the ideals that so many brave Americans have fought and died for by eliminating discriminatory policies like Don’t Ask Don’t Tell and Proposition 8 once and for all.”

Anthony Woods is a graduate of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point and Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government. He is a veteran of two combat tours in Iraq, and was awarded both the Bronze Star and Army Commendation Medal for his service. Woods was honorably discharged from the Army in 2008, for challenging military’s “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy. Woods is a native of Fairfield, CA, and is campaigning for the expected Special Election to replace Representative Ellen Tauscher (nominated to serve in the Obama Administration) in California’s 10th District.

Find out more about Anthony Woods at: Anthony Woods for Congress!

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