Press Releases

Los Angeles, CA — Today, Congressman Jimmy Gomez (CA-34) visited Alliance Eric & Susan Smidt Tech High School to honor local teacher and author Veronica Bane for her outstanding efforts in supporting schools affected by the recent Palisades and Eaton wildfires. During the event, Congressman Gomez participated in book sorting and distribution activities, toured the Alliance Smidt Tech High School campus, and presented Ms. Bane with a congressional recognition.

“I’ve been encouraged to see our neighbors come together to rebuild our communities after the LA fires, and Ms. Bane is a shining example of this,” said Rep. Jimmy Gomez. “After the fires, she took quick action and launched a book drive to replenish the libraries of affected schools and families. Her efforts have resulted in 14,000 books that will benefit countless educators and scholars, and it's an honor to recognize her critical work.”

“Having Congressman Gomez visit Smidt Tech to support and recognize our efforts to help those who lost their books in the Los Angeles wildfires was an incredibly meaningful and empowering experience for me and my students,” said Veronica Bane, high school English teacher at Smidt Tech High School. “Congressman Gomez eloquently spoke to the necessity of community during harrowing times, and I'm proud to be part of a community that steps up to support their neighbors.”

“Congressman Jimmy Gomez visited Smidt Tech to present our teacher, Veronica Bane, with a congressional recognition for her leadership in organizing a book drive to support victims of the Eaton and Palisades fires,” said Alex Madueña, Smidt Tech High School Community Schools Coordinator. “Her dedication reflects the values we strive to instill in our students—compassion, initiative, and a commitment to service. Smidt Tech High is deeply connected to our community, and Ms. Bane’s efforts exemplify that spirit. She is not just a treasure to our school but an asset to our city, state, and nation, and we are incredibly proud of the impact she continues to make.”

In the aftermath of the devastating fires that destroyed over 16,000 structures and claimed at least 29 lives, including significant damage to educational facilities, Ms. Bane, a founding English teacher at Alliance Smidt Tech High School and a young adult author, launched a citywide book drive, successfully collecting over 14,000 new and gently used books from people nationwide, aiming to replenish classroom and family libraries lost in the fires.