The ink is drying on the final map of the new 29th Congressional District and the Commissioners are ready to
cast their final vote to set it in place.
The 29th District includes the communities of Sylmar, Sun Valley, Lake View Terrace, North Hollywood, Valley
Village, Valley Glen, Van Nuys, Panorama City, Arleta, Mission Hills, Pacoima and the City of San Fernando.
It is a diverse district and one filled with opportunity.
In 1955 I moved with my family to a new tract home in the northern part of North Hollywood. My mother still resides in
the same home. It was a new community and the 170 Freeway was not yet built. I attended Saticoy Street Elementary School and Madison Middle School.
Weekends were spent at Fernangles Park and Sun Valley Park. We would also ride our bikes to Hansen Dam to fish and swim.
We would go to the Lankershim walk-in theatre on Sunday afternoons for a double feature and cartoon. If we had more
money we went to the EL Portal Theatre in North Hollywood (Pre NOHO). On occasion we would be able to afford going to the Fox Theatre on Van Nuys Boulevard. Friday Night was spent at the Roller Skating rink on Hart Street in North Hollywood.
I learned to ride a horse at the stables around Hansen Dam and always wanted one of my own.
My first job was at the Valley Plaza Car Wash, cleaning cars in July wearing an old, used orange jump suit. On the weekends I would borrow the family Mercury Comet and go to the Van Nuys Drive In or the Victory Drive In.
Wednesday Night was cruise night on Van Nuys Boulevard, from Sherman Way to Bob’s Big Boy.
I graduated from Poly High school in 1966 and went to the Recruiting Office located in the Valley Plaza, just down from
Woolworths. I enlisted in the United States Navy and spent just about four years in the service.
I was assigned to an Air Squadron Vaw-122 and made three cruises with the first being a nine month west pack off the
coast of Vietnam. I worked the Flight Deck and spent about fifteen months at sea in total.
I returned to North Hollywood and rented a small apartment in Sun Valley. This was just in time for the 1971 earthquake.
I began working for the Los Angeles Police Department in the Garage at the Foothill Station in Pacoima. After working
there for two years, I was transferred to the Van Nuys Station where I worked Morning Watch for two more years.
I attended Valley Community College at night. Using the G.I. Bill I purchased a small home in North Hollywood near the Valley Plaza.
I then went to work for a family business as an Independent Insurance Adjuster. I worked as an Adjuster for about 25
years.
I served on the Sun Valley Neighborhood Council for a year or so and also served on the North Hollywood Northeast
Neighborhood for a year. I worked with the Van Nuys Neighborhood during their formation period.
Giving back to the community has always been important to me. I served on the Foundation Board of Los Angeles Mission
College in Sylmar for five years and served as President for one year.
For five years I served and continue to serve on the Board of the Youth Services Network, providing shelter, education,
and life skills for young boys who have been neglected, abandoned and abused. We have three homes for boys eight to eighteen.
For the past two years I have been working with the San Fernando Chamber of Commerce in the City of San Fernando.
I am currently on the Board of the Fourth of July Celebration at Hansen Dam and working with others on the Board to bring
some positive changes to the community.
As one can see, I have been a stake holder in the district since 1955.
Working with individuals from every walk of life, ethnicity, religion and political party, I have a tract record of service and dedication to the communities which now make up the 29th Congressional District.
I am now asking you for the opportunity to represent the district in the United State House of Representatives.
I believe that by working together we can and will bring opportunity and prosperity back to the communities which make up the district.
Thank you,
David Hernandez
www.davidhernandezforcongress.com
