(July 13, 2003) -- NLB resident and political activist Ed Espinoza has been selected to head the Platform Committee for the under-35 branch of the Democratic National Committee: the Young Democrats of America.

Mr. Espinoza, who chaired the CA Young Democrats from 1999-2001, said in a release:

"The YDA Platform is a great opportunity for young people to influence political debate. I am eager to work with the national delegation of Young Democrats and address issues that are important to young people, such as online privacy and the enviornment."

The YDA Platform Committee consists of delegates from every state and six U.S. territories. It will hold its national convention in Buffalo, NY from August 13-17...and the YDA Platform is one of only two national issue documents drafted by a DNC branch prior to the 2004 DNC convention.

"Our intention is to draft a Platform one year in advance of the 2004 elections, and let candidates know what is important to young people before the first primary race begins," Mr. Espinoza said.

The Young Democrats of America is the official youth wing of the Democratic Party. As of July 12, its web site (www.yda.org) included the following headline stories:

"YDA President Butler Decries Bush's Misrepresentation of the Facts on Iraq," "Young Dems Laud Equal Rights Victory for Gay and Lesbian Americans" and "Young Democrats Applaud Supreme Court Decision on Affirmative Action."