Mary Bono Mack proud of her record

James Folmer – The Desert Sun -April 5, 2010

Rep. Mary Bono Mack was elected to Congress in 1998 in a special election following the death of her husband, Sonny Bono.

She faces Clayton Thibodeau of Hemet in the June 8 election for the Republican nomination to seek her seventh term in Congress. She would face Palm Springs Mayor Steve Pougnet or Stanley Cotton of Rancho Mirage in November.

As a legislative achievement, Bono Mack lists a bill that established the Santa Rosa and San Jacinto National Mountains Monument near Palm Springs. She also moved legislation to compensate the Torres-Martinez Desert band of Cahuilla Indians for land lost in 1908. The agreement settled the longest-ever ongoing litigation in the 9th Circuit Court of California.

Bono Mack also passed landmark legislation that calls for country-of-origin labeling for fresh fruits and vegetables.

Bono Mack sits on the Energy and Commerce Committee, which has jurisdiction over issues such as energy, telecommunications, health care and the environment.

Within the Committee, Bono Mack sits on the following three subcommittees: the Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade and Consumer Protection; Subcommittee on Energy and Air Quality, and the Subcommittee on Telecommunications and the Internet.

A 1984 graduate of the University of Southern California, she had two children with Sonny Bono: Chesare Elan and Chianna Marie.

Bono Mack, 47, is the daughter of the late Clay Whitaker, a physician, and the late Karen Whitaker, a chemist, and was raised in South Pasadena. As a youth, she was an accomplished gymnast, and she is an avid golfer. She is married to U.S. Rep. Connie Mack. She has two stepchildren, Addison and Connie.

QUESTION: In the past 12 years as member of Congress, what do you consider your greatest accomplishment?

ANSWER: Constituent service has always been a top priority — assisting veterans, seniors and anyone needing help with federal agencies. I am proud of my work to help ensure our national security. Whether fighting against terrorism or the closing of Gitmo, keeping our citizens safe remains a key part of my work in Congress. I am grateful that legislation I sponsored for Country of Origin Labeling will help consumers have more information to make safer purchases while also benefiting our agricultural community. And establishing the Santa Rosa and San Jacinto National Monument will preserve our precious lands for future generations.

…Read remainder of article at MyDesert.com