(April 16, 2005) -- After half a year of chemotherapy, Assemblywoman Jenny Oropeza (D., LB-Carson) has been declared free of any traces of cancer, her office says in a written release...and the former LB Councilmember is girding for a battle over a bill she's introduced to define airports, seaports, rail yards and distribution centers as "diesel magnet sources."

The bill would require such sources to inventory their toxic releases, perform risk assessments, notify affected communities and implement risk reduction measures. Diesel has been identified as a carcinogen.

"One cannot go through this kind of challenge without learning something about yourself -- as well as what motivates you," Assemblywoman Oropeza said in the release. "I am now more committed than ever to helping stop pollution that is contributing to skyrocketing cancer rates. We simply must stop poisoning ourselves."

The City of Long Beach, which operates an airport, seaport and is home to nearby railyards and disbribution centers, has not publicly taken a position on Assemblywoman Oropeza's legislation to date.

The bill faces its first hearing on April 18 in the Assembly Transportation Committee...which Assemblywoman Oropeza chairs.

The full text of the bill as amended as of March 31 can be accessed at AB 1101 (as amended March 31, 2005).

Oropeza, 47, underwent a seven-hour surgery last fall to remove an inch-thick malignant tumor on her liver, followed by two days in intensive care and two weeks' hospitalization. Week long chemotherapy sessions followed, with the final treatment mid-March.

Assemblywoman Oropeza has also introduced AB 929 to increase public awareness of possible cumulative harm from numerous medical X-rays. It's scheduled for an April 26 hearing in the Assembly Health Committee.