Congresswoman Norma Torres Announces 9-1-1 Dispatcher as her Guest at the State of the Union
Washington, D.C. — Representative Norma Torres (CA-35) – the first former 9-1-1 dispatcher to serve in Congress – will be joined by Richard Montoya Jr., a 9-1-1 Dispatcher and American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Union Member, as her guest to President Biden’s State of the Union Address to Congress on Thursday, March 7.
Rickk Montoya has been part of AFSCME for 20 years, where he is dedicated to improving workers’ rights to fair wages, supply chain improvements, healthcare access, and more. He is leading the charge to protect the basic rights of working-class Americans, amplifying their voices as a union organizer.
The State of the Union Address will highlight the historic achievements that House Democrats and President Biden have delivered and share an optimistic vision of putting People Over Politics to lower costs, grow the middle class, make our communities safer, and defend our fundamental freedoms.
“Union members and 9-1-1 dispatchers like Richard Montoya Jr. exemplify the working people House Democrats and the President are fighting for,” said Congresswoman Torres. “Dispatchers like Montoya work hard to keep the residents of the Inland Empire safe and they deserve a government committed to reducing the costs of healthcare, education, and housing while creating good jobs and a strong, thriving economy. They also deserve the government’s formal recognition as emergency responders. I hope by inviting a current 9-1-1 dispatcher I am able to bring awareness to this important issue and my bill, the 9-1-1 Saves Act to finally give them the recognition and resources they need and deserve.
Richard Montoya Jr. is an L.A. native and works as a 9-1-1 dispatcher with the Los Angeles Police Department. He is also a member of AFSCME Local 3090 for which he is the Secretary and Treasurer.
Throughout her time in Congress, Congresswoman Torres has elevated the needs of public safety professionals by fighting to deliver the federal resources they need to save lives and keep the public safe. She has proposed the 9-1-1 SAVES Act to reclassify 9-1-1 dispatchers, changing their status from clerical workers to first responders, in order to give them access to critical federal grants and resources only available to emergency responders. To learn more about her 9-1-1 SAVES Act, click here.