WHEREAS, In Asian American communities across the country, Lunar New Year is the highlight of the year and a time of celebration and spending time with family; and

WHEREAS, In Monterey Park, California, on January 21, 2023, community members, many of whom were seniors, gathered at Star Ballroom Dance Studio to dance and celebrate Lunar New Years Eve; and

WHEREAS, At 10:22 p.m., the sense of joy and safety felt by the community members was horrifically shattered by a shooter who opened fire at the dance studio, murdering 11 people and injuring 9; and

WHEREAS, After the shooting in Monterey Park, California, the shooter drove to Lai Lai Ballroom and Studio in Alhambra, California, with the intent to kill more people; and

WHEREAS, Brandon Tsay, who was 26 years of age, disarmed the gunman when he arrived at Lai Lai Ballroom and Studio. He took possession of the weapon and prevented further senseless violence; and

WHEREAS, The people of California mourn the 11 innocent lives lost, all of whom were of Asian descent and between 57 and 76 years of age. Many of them were immigrants; and

WHEREAS, The victims who tragically died were Valentino Marcos Alvero, Hongying Jian, Yu Lun Kao, Lilan Li, Ming Wei Ma, Mymy Nhan, Diana Tom, Muoi Dai Ung, Chia Ling Yau, Wen-Tau Yu, and Xiujuan Yu; and

WHEREAS, To honor our proud heritage as a nation of immigrants, we must ensure that all immigrant farmworkers are treated with dignity and have a quality of life worthy of the promise of our country; and

WHEREAS, The Monterey Park, California, shooting happened while Asian American communities were experiencing increased fear and lack of safety in the midst of an increase in anti-Asian hate crimes and incidents related the COVID-19 pandemic; and

WHEREAS, The United States saw a 339-percent increase in hate crimes against Asian Americans between 2020 and 2021; and

WHEREAS, According to a study by researchers at Stanford University, gun ownership doubles the risk for homicides and triples the risk of suicides; and

WHEREAS, Gun violence is a national public health crisis, and resources on firearm violence prevention should be made available to racial and ethnic minority communities, individuals with limited English proficiency, and immigrant communities; and

WHEREAS, The people of the State of California will always remember the victims of these shootings and stand in solidarity with those affected by this unconscionable tragedy; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the Senate of the State of California, That the Senate condemns the horrific act of gun violence that led to the tragic loss of 11 lives in Monterey Park, California, on January 21, 2023; and be it further

Resolved, That the Senate honors the memory and legacy of the innocent victims and offers heartfelt condolences and support to their families; and be it further

Resolved, That the Senate commends the heroism of the brave individuals who put themselves in harms way to protect others during this heinous attack; and be it further

Resolved, That the Senate recognizes that recovery will be difficult for the Monterey Park community, the Asian American community, and all communities impacted by this tragedy, and expresses the hope that those injured by the attack, both physically and emotionally, will all heal; and be it further

Resolved, That the Senate honors the courage and selflessness of community members, law enforcement personnel, first responders, medical professionals, and all other individuals who responded to the attack; and be it further

Resolved, That the Senate reaffirms the commitment of the California government to combat gun violence and violence targeting Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders, and other communities of color, and to prevent a tragedy like this from ever happening again; and be it further

Resolved, That the Secretary of the Senate transmit copies of this resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.

SR 70

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