Assembly Floor

The Assembly is now in session. Assembly Members of Zbur notices the absence of a quorum. Sergeant Arms will prepare the chamber and bring in the absent Members. The Clerk will call the role.

Addis. Aguilar-Curry. Alanis. Alvarez. Arambula. Bains. Bauer-Kahan. Bennett. Berman. Boener. Banta. Bryan. Calderon. Juan Carrillo. Wendy Carrillo. Cervantes. Chen. Connolly. Dahle. Davies. Dixon. Essayli. Flora. Mike Fong. Vince Fong. Friedman. Gabriel. Gallagher. Garcia. Gipson. Grayson. Haney. Hart. Holden. Hoover. Irwin. Jackson. Jones-Sawyer. Kalra. Lackey. Lee. Lowe. Lowenthal. Maienschein. Mathis. McCarty. Mckinnor. Muratsuchi. Nguyen. Ortega. Pacheco. Papan. Jim Patterson. Joe Patterson. Pellerin. Petrie-Norris. Quirk-Silva. Ramos. Reyes. Luz Rivas. Robert Rivas. Rodriguez. Rubio. Sanchez. Santiago. Schiavo. Soria. Ta. Ting. Valencia. Villapudua. Waldron. Wallace. Ward. Weber. Wicks. Wilson. Wood. Zbur. Mr. Speaker.

Members, a quorum is present. We ask that our guests in the gallery and in the rear of the chamber to please stand for today's prayer and pledge. In observance of the LGBTQ Pride Month, today's prayer will be offered by a guest chaplain, Reverend Dan Koeshall. He's the senior pastor at the Metropolitan Community Church in San Diego. Reverend Koeshall.

Will you please join me in prayer? Loving God, thank you for the abundant freedoms we celebrate as Californians. What a joy to call California home sweet home. Today I pray for your blessings as we celebrate Pride Month, a time when the LGBTQ community allies and supporters come together to celebrate the progress made towards full equality and also to acknowledge the work that still needs to be done. As we have seen an increase in hate crimes towards members of the LGBTQ plus community, may we take the opportunity to lead and set an example on how to foster a sense of civility, justice, and to protect the most marginalized among us, regardless of who they are or who they love. Oh God, in today's world, we need civility more than ever. Help us to create opportunities for dialogue, understanding, and mutual respect, especially in the face of disagreement. And loving God, may we all be inspired to act with courage, empathy, and RESPECT as we strive to bring about a more inclusive and loving world this Pride Month. I pray this in your many names. Amen.

We ask to remain standing and join us in the nation's pledge. Please join us Member Zbur as he leads us in the flag salute.

Please join me with the Pledge of Allegiance. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America...

Thank you. You may be seated. Reading of the previous day's journal.

Assembly Chamber of Sacramento, Wednesday, May 17, 2023 The Assembly met at 07:00 a.m. The Honorable Juan Carrillo, Assembly Member, 39th District, presiding chief Clerk Sue Parker at the desk. Reading Clerk David A. Bowman.

Reading is moved, Mr. Gallagher seconds. Is a reading of the previous day's journal will be dispensed with presentations and petitions. There are none. Introductions and references of bills will be deferred. Reports of committees will be deemed read and amendments deemed adopted. Messages from the Governor there are none messages from the Senate. There are none. Moving to motions and resolutions, the absences for the day for illness, assemblymember Wilson, assemblymember Lee and for death in the family, assemblymember Bryan. And majority leader Reyes, you are recognized for your procedural motions.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I request unanimous consent to suspend Assembly Rule 45.5 to allow Assemblymember Petrie Norris to speak on an adjournment in memory today.

Without objection. Such shall be the order.

I request unanimous consent to suspend Assembly Rule 118 A to allow Assemblymember Ward to have guests and photographers on the floor today.

Without objection. Such shall be the order.

Pursuant to Assembly Rule 96, I request unanimous consent to re refer the following bills to Committee SB 28 Glazer from the Education Committee to the Higher Education Committee and then back to the Education Committee. SB 568, Newman from the Natural Resources Committee to the Environmental, Safety and Toxic Materials Committee, and then back to the Natural Resources Committee. And SB 745, Cortesi from the Housing and Community Development Committee to the Environmental, Safety and Toxic Materials Committee, and then back to the Housing and Community Development Committee.

Without objection. Such shall be the order. Members, we have a very special birthday today. Celebrating his 2nd 39th birthday, please congratulate Assemblymember Low. I believe there are cupcakes in the lounge. And assembly member Gabriel, you are recognized for your guest introductions.

Thank you. Good afternoon, Mr. Speaker and colleagues. I have the distinct honor today of introducing some very special guests from my district. Joining us today in the gallery are students from El Camino Real Charter High School's Varsity Academic Decathlon Team, fresh off claiming their 9th national title in the last 25 years. They're standing up here, these students. And in addition to a record tying 9th national Championship, these nine graduating seniors have also claimed their school's 15th regional title and 13th state title. So if any of you are wondering where the home of the best academic decathlon is in the United States, it's right in the heart of the West San Fernando Valley at El Camino Real Charter High School. And we are so excited to see what all of you are going to do. Congratulations, colleagues. Please help me give them another round of applause and welcome them to the Assembly.

Thank you, Mr. Gabriel. And Assemblywoman, Soria you're recognized at your desk for your guest introductions.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker and Members. I am thrilled to welcome Madeira Unified's Madtown Robotic 1323 Team to the Assembly today. They're up in the gallery to my left. And we are here to honor these young people for their hard work in achieving the world championship title in robotics. You may be asking, well, where is Madera? Madera is a small rural city situated in the heart of the Central Valley. And when you hear about this community, it is mostly talked about in the context of the level of poverty, low educational attainment, but a thriving AG community. What you don't hear is the story that I want to tell you about these young people here today. Madera is home to hardworking people with a lot of grit and desire to succeed. They are home to an incredible team who was declared winner of the 2023 1st championship this past April, where they competed against 600 teams from not just here in a nation, but across the world. The team went into this competition ranking one, number one after first going undefeated in the Monterey Bay regional of the first robotics competition. The team is comprised of talented students from the Taurus high school, Madera High School, and Sherman Thomas charter school. It is such a huge feat that they have declared victory on this international stage. These students and their mentors and immense leaders in science, and their mentors are immense leaders in science, technology and engineering and mathematics. These champions remind us that when you have the right opportunity and have community support, young people from small rural schools can compete at an elite level. But not just compete, they can actually win. So I want to thank you, Madera Unified School District, its teachers, parents, and community for supporting our students. They are a future of our central valley. Thank you to the mad town robotics team for being here. Congratulations on being world champions. And I want to invite all of you guys, all of our members, to come and visit them in room 127 here in the capitol, where they will have their awesome robot. You can come and check it out because they can do some really remarkable things. So let's welcome them and give them a round of applause for achieving such title.

Members, we are now moving on to business on the daily file. Members, we will now move to the Assembly observance of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer Pride Month. Without objection, we will take up file item number four, HR 33, Ward. For the purpose of third reading, the clerk will read.

House Resolution 33 by Assemblymember Ward and others relative to Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer Pride Month.

Mr. Ward, you may open on the measure.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker and members. Happy Pride Month. As the Vice-Chair of the California Legislative LGBTQ Caucus, we rise to present HR. 33 to officially recognize June 2023 as LGBTQ Pride Month. In recent times, June has generally been recognized as a time to support those who identify as LGBTQ and celebrate all of the diversity within our LGBTQ community. Everyone should be able to live their lives authentically, proudly, openly, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity.

Pride Month is also a time to celebrate our progress. Marriage equality is now legal in several countries. Discrimination for service members has been repealed. Recognition of disparities in health care and education, public safety, and homelessness is finally being acknowledged and addressed. And we're able to do this because of grassroots activism, because of courageous allies, and because of our hard-fought campaigns to be at the table and be with you. In fact, this is a seminal year here in California.

As of January, California LGBTQ Legislative Caucus, with 12 Members strong, is now 10% of the Legislature, representing the approximately 10% of the general population who identifies. So this is a positive moment in time. Despite recent attacks, and thanks to the hard work of those who came before us, LGBTQ people are more accepted now than we've ever been. But in light of those recent attacks, we have so much more work to do.

Progress that we make, and indeed, progress that any of us makes overnight cannot be taken for granted. It has taken the dedication and passion of thousands of community leaders and activists working day in and day out against immense personal criticism and sometimes violence. We honor the courage and resilience of those who came before us who stood up against discrimination and hate to get us here.

And we are well aware that we never take these victories for granted at a time that we see several state legislatures pass laws to erase or roll back our rights. With over 450 anti LGBTQ bills introduced in 2023 alone across this country, June highlights the struggle for the struggles that we face in our community and our ongoing fight for equality. So it's a reminder that we can't give up, and we won't give up.

Everything that gives us dignity, security, respect, and support is on the table, including marriage equality, adoption rights, employment protections, and access to health care, and more. It's important that every one of our allies stand in pride in solidarity for the LGBTQ community, especially to stand with our transgender siblings and the hate that they are currently facing in their push for equal rights and support. Members, do the math. There are tens of thousands of LGBTQ constituents in every single one of your districts.

This past weekend, they were celebrating in Redding, in Pacifica, in Fresno, in Oceanside, in Santa Cruz, and yes, in West Hollywood and so many other places. And there are more places to celebrate this month. As you may attend Pride events this year, remember to be safe and take care of yourselves and each other, because Pride Month is also a time to have fun. Pride Month brings us all together to connect with others who understand the journey and to express ourselves in an atmosphere of love and acceptance. I respectfully ask for your aye vote on HR 33.

Mr. Zbur, you are recognized.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Members, I'm honored to rise on behalf of the California Legislative Jewish Caucus in support of HR 33 in celebration of our lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer Californians. This month, we recognize the LGBTQ plus community's important and lasting contributions in every field of endeavor. We honor the bravery and resilience of those who have fought for LGBTQ civil rights and made significant strides towards creating a world where everyone can live as their authentic selves without fear of discrimination.

Based on recent polling, approximately 10 to 12% of Californians now identify as LGBTQ plus, and our community's visibility continues to grow. Leaders in the Jewish community who identify as LGBTQ plus have been on the front lines of the LGBTQ plus civil rights and social justice movement. Many of our most cherished and beloved LGBTQ plus leaders were motivated by their Jewish faith and values.

Harvey Milk, the first openly gay man to be elected to any public office in California who we honored on this Assembly floor just two weeks ago. Barney Frank, one of the first LGBTQ plus members of Congress. Sheila Kuehl, the first openly LGBTQ plus Member of this body and the California State Legislature, in whose seat I now proudly serve. Mark Leno, the first openly gay man elected to the State Senate and one of the first openly gay men to be elected to the California State Legislature.

Colorado Governor Jared Polis. Dr. Rachel Levine, assistant secretary for Health of the US. Department of Health and Human Services, and the first transgender individual to hold a federal position that requires Senate confirmation. And, of course, our very own co-chair of the Jewish Caucus, Senator Scott Wiener. Pride gives us the opportunity to acknowledge the LGBTQ plus community's leadership in many prominent Jewish organizations, such as rabbis, cantors, and leaders of major institutions.

This includes Beth Chayim Chadashim in Los Angeles, the first LGBTQ plus synagogue in the world, founded in 1972. And Denise Eger, the first openly gay president of the Central Conference of American Rabbis and the founding rabbi of Congregation Kol Ami, also in my district. While this is a time for celebration. We must also recognize that there is still much more work to be done to advance the rights of the LGBTQ plus community across the country.

Over 450 anti-LGBTQ plus bills were introduced in 2023 alone across the United States, according to the American Civil Liberties Union. Many of this legislation targets the trans community, threatening their health care, access to opportunities, and right to equal treatment under the law. So, too, violence against our community has continued to be a pervasive threat, including especially to members of our transgender and LGBTQ plus communities of color.

Despite this progress, there still remains a significant amount of work that lies ahead to ensure that every person is given the just and equal treatment of our nation's promise. As Harvey Milk once said, rights are won only by those who make their voices heard. The Jewish Caucus will continue to make its voice heard and stand strong and proud, both as allies and a part of our LGBTQ plus community in solidarity to keep fighting for equality and what's right. In that spirit. And on behalf of the Jewish Caucus, I respectfully ask for your aye vote on HR 33.

Ms. Cervantes, you are recognized.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker and members. I rise as chair of the California Latino Legislative Caucus in support of HR 33. Today, we commemorate Pride Month and celebrate the progress we have made in the fight for equality. As a proud Member of the LGBTQ Caucus, as a proud, queer Latina, as the first openly queer Latina elected Chair in our caucus state history. The Stonewall Uprising is a reminder of how our LGBTQ plus community continues to reclaim our place, our names to help reaffirm the voices of our diverse and unified community. We honor the bravery and continued resilience of the LGBTQ plus community, those who have fought for our rights, and those who continue to do so today.

In fact, Latinos played key roles in demonstrations around the country that started as early as 1959. Like Mexican American writer John Rechy, who took part in the largely forgotten 1959 Cooper Do-nuts Riot Event in LA. 10 years before the Stonewall Uprising, Black and Latina trans women like Marsha P. Johnson, Miss Major Griffin-Gracy, and Sylvia Rivera were at the helm of this movement in the early stages, founding organizations to support homeless trans women and queer youth ostracized by their families.

Let this also be a stark reminder that in recent years, we have barred witness to a record-breaking number of anti-LGBTQ plus measures proposed and passed across our country. This year is a record-setting year for state legislation targeting our LGBTQ plus youth and adults. As you just heard, over 400 pieces of anti-LGBTQ legislation has been introduced nationwide. It is more important than ever to fight against and continue to stop this hatred and misinformation targeting our communities.

The pervasive violence our LGBTQ plus communities face, in particular, our communities of color. Due to the intersection of racism, transphobia, and sexism has taken the life of so many. We mourn those we have lost to violence, hold their lives in our memory as we continue to work towards ending hateful speech, threats, and violence. The courage of many in our LGBTQ plus community indeed provides us with strength.

But no child, no person should have to be courageous to love, to live, and to survive, to be able to be themselves. We have a responsibility to protect one another and to stand up against hate, bigotry, homophobia, and transphobia. Pride month is not just a celebration on how far we have come, but also to acknowledge how far we have yet to come and how far we need to continue to go. To those who are afraid to being open about your identity, we see you. You belong.

And we will continue to fight to ensure that we all are treated equal, we all are treated with dignity and with respect, and we are all given equal opportunity to love and be loved. Therefore, colleagues, while we commemorate this month, may we continue to uplift and celebrate our LGBTQ plus community and honor the long, long journey many have strived to achieve to gain equal rights. Therefore, on behalf of the Latino Legislative Caucus, we proudly rise and ask for your aye vote on HR 33.

Mr. Ramos, you are recognized.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I rise on behalf of the California Native American Legislative Caucus. I rise today in support of HR 33, Pride Month. In a time when we see basic human rights under attack because of ethnicity, immigration status, and race, we also see attempts to undermine and erase the human and civil rights of our LGBTQ plus brothers and sisters. We cannot allow this. Today, we are proud to stand side by side. Together, we recognize the humanity and rights for all people.

Today, we stand united in protecting these rights. We also strengthen our own rights. As we see, LGBTQ plus individuals have contributed and will continue to contribute to much of our culture and advancement in a number of fields as elected officials and tribal leaders. Through their advancement, we all benefit. We all benefit as a state, we benefit as a nation, and we benefit as a people to stand side by side and to stand with them through their resiliency to ensure their voice is not lost. Their voice is here with us, and we stand united. And I urge your aye vote on HR 33.

Ms. Soria, you are recognized.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. On behalf of the California Legislative Women's Caucus, I rise to in strong support of HR 33, proclaiming the month of June 2023 as LGBTQ plus Pride Month. As a longtime ally of the LGBTQ plus rights movement, I was honored to serve as a grand marshal this past Saturday in the City of Fresno's 33-year-old Pride Parade.

And today, I rise to not just celebrate Pride Month, but also to reflect on the trials of the LGBTQ plus community on the trials of the LGBTQ plus community has faced. The LGBTQ plus rights movement would have been nowhere without the tireless efforts of the powerful and resilient queer activists who fought and continue to fight for the LGBTQ plus people's freedom to exist.

Queer activists like Marsha P. Johnson, Jose Julio Sarria, Billie Jean King, Harvey Milk, and Audre Lorde, among others, have helped to advance the movement. Over the last couple of years, we've witnessed a horrific spike in fatal violence against transgender women of color and other gender-diverse people. Social identities matter, and they are not intangible concepts that we should shy away from in polite conversation. As a society, we must do a better job of creating spaces for people to fully be expressive in who they are.

Viewing the LGBTQ plus community as a single homogeneous community can be detrimental. Not recognizing the diversity within the community obscures the voices of the LGBTQ plus people who experience oppression due to intersecting identities. This Pride Month, we will celebrate, but we will also continue to fight in honor of our LGBTQ plus community by uniting in our advocacy efforts under unintersectional umbrella, helping to ensure that no one falls through the cracks of these movements. Today and every day moving forward, let us advance equity for the people of color who exist at the intersection of multiple marginalized identities. On behalf of the Women's Legislative Caucus, I respectfully ask your aye vote on HR 33.

Mr. Jones-Sawyer, you are recognized.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. On behalf of the California Legislative Black Caucus, I rise in strong support of HR 33. As some of my colleagues may know, one of the greatest moments of my life is when I had the distinct honor of officiating my son Reginald Byron Jones-Sawyer Jr's marriage to his husband. That moment was a long time coming from when Reggie Jr. first came out to me, and for most African Americans is a very difficult thing to do, especially African American males.

But he had the courage to be able to tell me and everybody know how progressive I am. The fact that my son was still scared to death to tell me that he was gay broke my heart. Even with the most supportive loved ones, we must always remember that there is not one specific way to come out. And it is just as important to note that coming out is a personal decision that no one should ever be forced to do against their will.

This month is not only a time for celebrating love and the community but also a time for reflection and advocacy for equal rights. To some, fear-mongering and dog whistles carried out by segregation may seem like a thing of the past, yet we are currently seeing the disgusting acts on transgender youth and intentional mislabeling of LGBTQ plus individuals as quote-unquote groomers and pedophiles carried out today by present-day activists.

The highest court in our nation currently poised to roll back antidiscrimination laws and tear down protections of LGBTQ plus couples. The same court, the same legal system that forbid African Americans to marry out of their race is poised to roll back those same protections that are enjoyed by another group. I am reminded of the quote from Martin Luther King, Jr. He who passively accepts evil is as much involved in it as he who helps perpetuate it.

He who accepts evil without protesting against it is really cooperating with it. In the face of baseless hateful rhetoric and erosion of human rights, it is imperative that we stand together and fight back against such attacks. As we celebrate Pride Month, let us remember that the first Pride was a protest against brutality and injustice, was bring forth such vigor in combating homophobia, transphobia, and discrimination of all forms. On behalf of the California Legislative Black Caucus, I am proud to stand with my colleagues of the LGBTQ Legislative Caucus to celebrate love and one's identity and recognize an inseparable intersectionality. May I use a prop?

Without objection.

Love is love. No matter who you are, where you are, love is love. Thank you to my colleagues for bringing forth this important measure. We stand with you in this fight and confirm our strong support of the LGBTQ community. The fight for freedom and civil rights by one community, the fight for equality for all. I respectfully ask for a unanimous support of HR 33. Okay, it's the other.

Mr. Jones-Sawyer, you do have skills. Mr. Low, you are recognized.

I don't know how to top that for sure. Colleagues, thank you very much. Happy Pride. Today I turn 40, and I didn't think I was going to be alive. I didn't think I was going to live to see 40. In 2008, voters in California passed Proposition H, which eliminated the rights of same-sex couples to marry. And during this time, as a local City Council member, I could officiate a wedding as a public official, but I couldn't get married myself.

I was asked by the Red Cross to host a blood drive on City Hall property in which we had a nondiscrimination policy and public accommodations. But I, as mayor at the time, could not donate blood because there was an FDA ban on men donating blood, a lifetime ban. All I wanted to do was sacrifice and donate blood to save someone's lives. I wanted to be in a community-loving relationship just like everyone else. When we would welcome the Boy Scouts to City Hall to earn their marriage badge, little kids would ask, were you also in Boy Scouts? Is that how you became a leader? Of course, I said I wasn't allowed to be part of the Boy Scouts since members of the community were banned.

And so this depression is a real lived experience that many faced and that many face today, and when I think about this day of celebration, as I've made a milestone of 40, I take it very seriously and a bit emotional that, yes, it's to celebrate, but I didn't think I'd make it this long. But don't feel sorry for me. Think about those families and those children who are living in states in which you've heard before over 417 pieces of legislation attacking members of the LGBT community.

Laws on the books that would criminalize a doctor providing gender-affirming care in consultation with their medical provider and their doctor, a private decision of parents being parents, criminalizing drag reading, drag story time at libraries and in public accommodations in which parents are bringing their children. If we're thinking about protecting our children, we should think about criminalizing and going after leaders of the Catholic Church or targeting that of firearm violence in our schools.

That's the real challenge and the real criminalization that we're seeing targeting our community. Not about drag story time, about expressing oneself in being true to that identity. Now, you may think that this is pervasive in a number of states, and this would not happen in the State of California. We could not fathom this happening in the State of California when, in fact, colleagues, just in this body alone, a fellow colleague has introduced previously legislation on an outing, outing of LGBT individuals in this institution.

So this happens even here at home. And that's why we take this opportunity to celebrate the success but remember where we are going and how imperative this is. And transformational change. And as we think about the struggles, let us honor the incredible work of our honorees and the fullest lived experiences that they enjoy and face and uplifting members of the LGBT community. That's what this celebration is about.

And more importantly, colleagues, we have a unique opportunity this year in correcting the wrongs of the Constitutional Amendment and repealing Proposition Eight. Proposition Eight eliminated the rights of same sex couples to marry. And we have a unique opportunity to restore the justice that so many Californians deserve each and every day. So I know that we'll use this as an opportunity to reaffirm our commitment to justice for everyone and helping to ensure that we lead with love. I respectfully ask for aye vote and Celebrating Pride and thank the author for bringing this measure forward.

Mr. Mathis, you are recognized.

Thank you. Mr. Speaker, members. Hatred and bigotry are not acceptable. And if we truly want religious freedom, then respect must be mutual. Sadly, it has not been the case many times, and frankly, from all sides. As far as I'm concerned, government doesn't belong in our homes or in our churches. And what two consenting adults want to do behind closed doors is on them. I'd prefer you all get a room and keep the PDA from my kids, but let's be respectful on both sides. Thank you.

Is there any further discussion on this measure? Seeing and hearing none. Mr. Ward, you may close.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I want to thank members of some of our diversity caucuses for your supportive comments here today. To all the individuals here as well, I want to thank members of our LGBTQ caucus staff and also our staff and those that work with us every day and out in the community to be able to support issues that matter to our community.

And this comes from a place, I think, when we celebrate Pride because we want and why we do what we do today to be able to connect with our youth but also connect with our seniors. I wish I had a Pride parade in the 1990s that I could have gone to. Would have made things a lot of it a lot easier. I don't think I would have minded the PDA out there. It might have actually made things a little bit clearer for me, to my colleague from Modesto.

I wish as parents, as brothers, as community members, as neighbors, that we had a place that was a little bit more just and a little bit more free for everybody to be who they are. And that's what Pride is about. We do the work that we're doing on these issues because we think about the next generation because we want a more perfect union, we want a more perfect world.

Understanding the personal and community struggles that an individual has gone through is an important thing to reflect on. And we're not going to lose ground on the hard progress that we have fought for, that our seniors and our forebears have been able to fight for. And I want to thank some of the new and returning members that I've gotten a chance to know as probably all of you as individuals.

Because I think understanding and finding that common ground and finding that who I am and who we are are going to be able to make us do better work here in the Assembly. And as we work on these issues. And to one of the last points I really have to drive home, that in a fight for equality and the work that we're doing, fighting for equality, it's not a zero-sum game.

Because you're looking for things that include more people does not mean that you have to exclude anybody. Adding value and bringing more people and their diversity into our daily lives. It enriches us all, it binds our community stronger, and it helps California progress. And the real work is being done out in our community. And you're going to see that in our 16 honorees, all of whom represent some of the best in California, and they've got great accomplishments.

Now, we've got a lot of policy debates ahead of us, and we're going to talk a lot about specific proposals whose goals seek to make the world a better place. And those debates on healthcare needs, on curriculum and campus support, on public safety disparities, on relationships, and equal treatment on the law. Those are going to be worthy debates. But voting on HR 33 to recognize Pride Month, it's a fundamental baseline from which to have level conversations.

Do we recognize Californians who may be different in who they love or how they identify or express themselves? Do we recognize them as good people who have something to contribute? Do we recognize them as worthy of living their lives freely to be who they are? Or should they be silent? Should they conform? Should they repress? Should they suffer? That's where we were. We had bags over our head walking down the street. We had parents disowning us. We had physical and mental trauma.

And as you heard, Pride is going to be a great time here for a lot of good reasons. But on our origins, Pride is a protest. It's a protest against injustice, against exclusion, against hate. And we will push back against these forces not just this month, but every month. California, since 1850 has been a beacon for risk-takers, for outliers, for creatives, for liberty, and freedom for all. The tenets of Pride are what make this state the Golden State. I respectfully ask for your aye vote and I ask for the first roll to be open for co-authors.

The clerk will open the roll for co-authors on HR 33. Members. This is for co-authors. Please vote now to be added as co-authors. The clerk will close the roll. There are 59 co-authors added. Without objection, we can take a voice vote on HR 33. All those in favor, say aye.

Opposed, say no. The ayes have it. The resolution is adopted. For the 2023 Assembly observance of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer Pride Month, we will recognize a number of distinguished honorees. I am appointed an escort committee to bring our honorees onto the floor for recognition. Members should retire to the rear of the chamber. As I call your name. Assemblymember Cervantes, Haney, Jackson, Low, Ward, and Zbur. And special guest Senators Eggman and Wiener.

I ask Speaker Anthony Rendon, Republican Floor Leader Assemblymen Flora, LGBTQ Caucus Vice-Chair Christopher Ward, LGBTQ Caucus Chair Vice-Chair Christopher Ward, LGBTQ Caucus Chair Senator Eggman, and Majority Leader Reyes to move to the front center aisle to receive our honorees.

Members, we will now be moving to the introductions of the LGBTQ Plus Pride Month Honorees. For 2023. The Clerk will read.

Honoree Sue Reynolds is escorted by Assemblymember Ward until retirement. Sue Reynolds led the growth of nonprofit Community Housing Works over the course of two decades. There, she created affordable apartments and life changing resident communities for over 9000 residents in San Diego and statewide. At Community Housing Works she proudly worked with the San Diego LGBT Community Center to develop North Park Seniors San Diego's first LGBT affirming senior affordable apartment community. Welcome sue Reynolds.

Honoree Adan Chavez is escorted by Assemblymember Jackson. Adon Chavez is the lead for meta's External Affairs Matters in California and has over six years of empowering people and bringing them into the democratic and policymaking process. Mr. Chavez has partnered with Cal OES, the Red Cross, and local governments to host Disaster Preparedness Summits, convening 300 small businesses and community based organizations so they can learn how to leverage meta's family of apps before, during, and after disaster to create safer, more informed communities in the face of crisis. Welcome, Adon Chavez.

Honoree Phil Collum is escorted by assuming Member Cervantes. Phil Collum is a 32 year veteran of law enforcement and second in command of the City of Chula Vista Police Department. As its assistant Police Chief, he is the highest ranking openly LGBTQ plus law enforcement officer in San Diego County. He was the first openly gay male officer and the first African American promoted to the ranks of lieutenant, captain, and Assistant Chief of Police. Welcome, Assistant Police Chief Phil Collum.

Honoree Janessa Goldbeck is escorted by Assemblymember Low. Janessa Goldbeck is the CEO of Vet Voice Foundation, a national nonprofit organization with over 1.5 million Members. The foundation mobilizes and supports veterans and military families. While serving in the Marine Corps, Goldbeck volunteered for research on gender integration and combat arms units. In 2015, she celebrated a historic change in policy when all military occupations were open to qualified applicants, regardless of gender. Welcome, Janessa Goldbeck.

For posthumous recognition, the caucus honors one honoree. Assemblymember Haney is holding a photo of the late Heklina, and he is escorted by Senator Wiener. In the 1990s, the late Heklina quickly became a mother to many members of the drag and LGBTQ plus communities in San Francisco, where she cultivated safe spaces for others to openly be themselves. Her fabulous weekly drag event Mother, was hailed for throwing out the rulebook of what it meant to be a drag performer and featured drag kings and queens alike, as well as fox queens. Heklina passed away on April 3, 2023, while on tour in England. The LGBTQ plus caucus honors. The late Heklina.

Tony Hoang is escorted by Assembly Member Zbur. Tony Hoang is the Executive Director of Equality California and Silver State Equality and a veteran of the LGBTQ Plus Equality Movement. He's played a pivotal role in the passage of groundbreaking civil rights legislation in California, Nevada, and Washington DC of the implementation of statewide public education campaigns and the election of hundreds of openly LGBTQ plus and pro quality candidates up and down the ballot and growth of equality membership welcome Tony Hoang.

Honorees Martin, Marty Klugian and John Shinkel are escorted by assembly member Low. John Shinkel and Marty Klugian are both dedicated to promoting a more equitable and inclusive California. Marty Klugian is currently serving as chair of the City of Fremont's Human Relations Commission, where he strives to ensure that the rights of people in Fremont are protected under the law. John Shinkel's passion for advocacy started after the passage of Proposition Eight, California's ban on same sex marriage. Today, he works to ensure proper handling and awareness of issues affecting the LGBTQ plus people. Welcome, Marty Klugian and John Shinkel.

Kevin Al Perez is escorted by Assemblymember Cervantes. Kevin Al Perez is the President of Somas Familia Vale in the San Fernando Valley, a community based organization created and led by local low income, first generation college students who are LGBTQ plus people of color. Kevin's exposure to organizing and social justice work started when his mother took him to neighborhood council meetings, SCIU, and PTA meetings. Kevin hopes to create a safer valley for all our chosen families. Welcome, Kevin Al Perez.

Sister Roma, sister of Perpetual Indulgence, is escorted by Assemblymember Haney and Senator Wiener. For more than three decades, Sister Roma has been one of the most outspoken and globally recognized Members of San Francisco's Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, from fighting on the front lines in the war against HIV AIDS, to creating the Sister Stop the Violence campaign, to taking on Facebook. As the creator of the My Name movement, Sister Roma has dedicated more than half of her life to community service activism and fundraising. Welcome, Sister Roma.

Honoree Adam Spickler is escorted by Assemblymember Low. Adam Spickler is the chair of Cabrillo Community College Board of Trustees and serves on the board's legislative advocacy and Name Exploration Committee. Mr. Spickler was also the first openly transgender man elected to public office in California. Professionally, he works as a public information officer and legislative liaison for the Santa Cruz County Human Services Department and previously served as district staff to Legislatives John Laird and Bill Monty. Welcome, Adam Spickler.

Honoree Amber Whittington is escorted by Assemblymember Cervantes. Amber Whittington is an activist, social influencer, actress, and host whose videos range from motivational, self growth content, LGBTQ topics, fashion, politics, and more. She started her channel, Amber's Closet, to help others who might be struggling with her identity and to help break stereotypes. She believes in changing the world by changing within. Welcome Amber Whittington.

Honoree Valentina is escorted by assembly member Zbur. Valentina is an ambassador for the Trevor Project, Mexico, and works to advance queer rights in Latin America. She was born and raised in Bell, California, where she attended magnet programs through LAUSD and Hollywood High School that allowed her to study a large range of performing arts including dance, drama and improvisation that ultimately helped prepare her for her experience on RuPaul's Drag Race, where she quickly became a fan favorite contestant. She has also made appearances in Rent Live, In the Heights, as well as La USA Podora the Musical. Welcome, Valentina.

Honoree Eugene Lee Yang is escorted by Assemblymember Low. Eugene Lee Yang is an actor, writer, Director and one of today's most recognizable queer Asian American performers. Projects in development are a young adult fantasy novel titled The Unders and a graphic novel with Vault Comics. He is one of three leads in the cast for a recently released Netflix animated movie Mimona. Welcome, Eugene Lee Yang.

Honoree Rosemary Rosie Cassalls is escorted by Assemblymember Cervantes. Born and raised in San Francisco, Rosemary Cassals learned to play tennis on the public courts at Golden Gate Park. She is a seven time Wimbledon's women's and mixed doubles champion, owning a total of 12 Grand Slam double titles. Rosie and her contemporary, Billie Jean King are among the original nine of tennis players who fought for equal pay in tennis and were founders of the Women's Professional Tennis Tour and the Women's Tennis Association in 1973. Known for her acrobatic and athletic style of play, Ms. Cassalls also filled the crowds with her teddy, tingling sequins and velvet tennis dresses she accented with her colorful headbands. She established two organizations, Sportswoman's,Inc. And the Love and Love of Tennis Foundation, to promote tennis for all, regardless of gender or economic background. Welcome Rosie Cassals.

Honorees Alan Eggman and Harry Lit are escorted by Assembly Member Zbur and Senator Eggman. Alan Eggman and Harry Lit decided to start a charity event to help the local community and raise money for AIDS charities after Harry's brothers succumbed to the disease. They created Lazy Bear Weekend, a fundraiser that's held annually along the Russian River in Gurnonville. After 20 years of managing this event, they have retired and turned it over to others. The event has raised over $2 million for charities that focus on AIDS, breast cancer, and Sonoma County Health Services. Welcome Alan Eggman and Harry Lit.

Unable to attend today is Honoree Billie Jean King of Long Beach. She is one of the greatest tennis players of all time. She won 39 Grand Slam titles in her tennis career and helped lead a fight for equal pay in tennis. In the early 1980s, King was forcibly outed as a lesbian and immediately lost all her endorsement deals. Life magazine named King as one of the most hundred most important Americans of the 20th century. Of the four athletes on that list, she was the only woman. President Obama presented King with a Presidential Medal of Freedom for championing the rights of women and the LGBTQ community. King was the first female athlete to receive the award. Congratulations to Billie Jean King.

Members. We will take two photos. The first photo. I ask that our Honorees and LGBTQ Caucus Members now assemble in front of the Assembly desk for a group photo. After that photo is done, we invite all other Assembly Members to join the honorees and caucus Members for a second group photo.

If you would like to be in the second group photo, please come to the front of the chamber now. Come back here. Come on back.

Members, at this time at this time, we would like to welcome the family and friends of our honorees who has joined us here today for this ceremony. On behalf of our esteemed Vice Chair, assemblymember Chris Ward, chair Susan Eggman, and Members of the California Legislative LGBTQ Caucus, we thank you and our program participants to help you celebrate Pride Month. There are mementos on your desks. There are a Peruvida Pride bracelet, starburst candies and a folding fan in Pride colors and a commemorative program in the shape of a pink triangle. Members, this concludes our ceremony. As our honorees exit the chamber, let's give them other round of applause.

Members, we are still in session, and we will resume momentarily.

Members, we're going to be moving back to business on the Daily File, starting with item number three, ACR 50, the clerk will read.

Assembly Concurrent Resolution 50 by Assembly Member Luz Rivas and others, relative to the California Nonprofits Day.

Assembly Member Luz Rivas, you are recognized.

Thank you. Madam Speaker and Members, I'm excited to present ACR 50, which recognizes June 7 as California Nonprofits Day. Nonprofits are at the center of our communities. They work around the clock to support the needs of their community and provide critical services. They help hungry families who are struggling to purchase food, assist those who are looking for employment, support our unhoused residents, and so much more. As a founder of a nonprofit, I know the challenges and work that nonprofits go through to address an issue in their communities. As first responders to the changing needs of their communities, they are in the front lines to help vulnerable communities weather any storm. Now is the time for us to show our appreciation to our nonprofits in our communities, especially after the important role they played in addressing the needs of Californians during the COVID-19 pandemic. Please join me in recognizing the importance of nonprofits to the economy and well being of our state by celebrating California Nonprofits Day. I respectfully ask for an aye vote on ACR 50 and ask that the first roll be open for co-authors. Thank you.

Seeing no others wishing to speak on this item, the Clerk will open the roll for co authors. All those vote to desire to vote. All those vote who desire to vote, all those vote to desire to vote, and the Clerk will close the roll. Ayes, 69. There are 69 co authors. Without objection, we will move to a voice vote. All those in favor indicate by saying aye. Opposed. Ayes have it and the resolution is adopted. And Assembly Member Luz Rivas, you are recognized for your guest introduction.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Joining me today in the gallery to commemorate California Nonprofits Day is John Drebinger, senior advocate with the California Council of Community Behavioral Health Agencies. Thank you.

Moving on to item number 12, HR 39. The Clerk will read.

House Resolution 39 by Assembly Member Gabriel and others, relative to National Gun Violence Awareness Day.

Assembly Member Wicks, you may open.

Thank you Madam Speaker, members, I rise today alongside my colleague from the San Fernando Valley to present HR 39, recognizing June 2 as National Gun Violence Awareness Day. I also rise as the mother of a six year old girl who is all too familiar with lockdown drills, which she started when she was four years old in her TK class. I rise as the wife of someone who has been touched by this issue. I rise as a Californian, as a citizen who has said, enough is enough. We cannot let this epidemic of gun violence continue to plague our communities. Each day in the United States, more than 110 Americans are killed by gun violence, along with 200 people who are wounded every day. That's 310 people every day who are impacted by this issue. Firearms are now the leading cause of death for children. The leading cause of death in this country are firearms surpassing car accidents in 2020. So the issue is only getting worse. We choose this. We're a nation of laws. We get to make the rules. We allow this to happen in our communities. It is not okay. Enough is enough. And we have to have change on this issue. And guess what? We get to press the button. We get to press the button on what we think is the right thing. That is the power that we have as elected officials. And our number one job as elected officials, more than anything else, is to keep our communities safe, to keep our children safe. And if we can't do that, then what are we doing? Imagine a world with zero gun deaths. Imagine a California with zero gun deaths. Let us let that be the reality in our state. We have the ability to make change on this issue. I respectfully ask for an aye vote.

Assembly Member Quirk-Silva, you are recognized.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I also rise in support of HR 39. Members, churches, cafes, schools, marathons, nightclubs, parades, malls, everywhere, our communities have been attacked by gun violence. Now we see our young students attacked from across the country. Just a reminder that two weeks ago would be the one year anniversary of Uvalde. Many, many 9 and 10 year olds that lost their lives along with their teachers. I taught third and fourth grade before I got here. Combined classroom. I know exactly what it must have felt like for not only the teachers, but those students. Nowhere to hide. No active shooting training could prevent this. No guards at schools. And yet this continues. It continues every day. We just don't see the headlines across the news because it doesn't even make headlines. If it's not a mass shooting, even shootings of 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 don't resonate anymore. It has to be maybe 10 or more before we pause. Condolences are not enough. Saying that we need more mental health is not enough. Of course we need mental health, but we need to remove the guns from our streets. There is absolutely no reason anybody should be carrying an AR-15. It is a weapon of war. It is for mass destruction. This is not acceptable. And in other countries, we see that without guns, yes, they have mental health problems, but they don't have the deaths that we have. We must continue this fight. Today is a day to be aware, but it is our actions. Please join me in supporting HR 39.

Assembly Member Gipson, you're recognized.

Thank you very much, Madam Speaker and to my colleague from the San Fernando Valley and also Oakland, I'll be brief. I think my colleague from Oakland started a theme. I rise. So I rise as someone whose gun violence has absolutely shook our family. I rise because my cousin was walking out of a liquor store in South Los Angeles, getting ready to go to a party and caught a bullet in his head. I rise because little Jose Hernandez, when I was a police officer in the City of Maywood, ICE pulled over because his girlfriend was yelling for help. They were sitting in the car on a summer evening. He was in the passenger seat of his mom's car, and his girlfriend was sitting in the front driver's seat. He was only 16 years old. Someone tapped at the window and shot him in the head. I rise because gun violence is prevalent in my community in which I represent. You see, what keeps you up at night is you getting a knock at the door or someone that you know and love and law enforcement, notifies you that your loved one, your husband, your mother, your sister, your brother, or your cousin. Someone's connected to you just lost their life because of gun violence. So I rise to lend my voice with the chorus of individuals with the Gun Violence Prevention Work Group. And I'm very grateful to be part of this work group because I rise. Not that I really wanted to, but I was forced in this place to raise my voice and elevate on behalf of the mothers and fathers who have to bury their children. Oh, I forgot to make mention. Just last week on Saturday, we just buried a young man who worked at Cedars-Sinai Hospital. He was at the wrong place at the wrong time in crossfire. He was supposed to be at home, on his way home. And now, on Saturday, his family gathered to say their final farewells. This should not happen in California. It should not be happening in the United States of America. So I rise to lend my voice and my support with this course of people whose voices shall never be drowned out when we have this epidemic in our community. I rise to ask my colleagues to support HR 39.

Assembly Member Maienschein, you're recognized.

Thank you. I just wanted to respond to our colleague from Oakland when she challenged us to imagine a world without gun violence. Some of you know that I was born and raised in Japan. Japan has a population more than three times that of the State of California. You want to know how many gun deaths they had in the year 2021? One gun death. So, colleagues, it is possible to live in a world without gun violence.

Assembly Member Essayli, you are recognized.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. As a former prosecutor who's actually prosecuted gun violence, I rise in support of today's resolution. But I rise to emphasize how we actually can combat gun violence. California has more than 100 laws on the books. Some of the most strict gun laws in the nation. We are not lacking laws in the State of California. We are lacking sufficient enforcement and deterrence for gun violence. We talk about mass shootings a lot, but we have to put the numbers in perspective. In 2021, there were 706 people murdered in a mass shooting. But in that same year, almost 21,000 people were killed in individual gun murders. It is, I feel, unproductive to use newsworthy mass shootings for political purpose, to prop up legislation like taxes on guns and cracking down on CCWs, which we know will not affect actual gun violence. The real way we combat gun violence is by enforcing our laws and punishing people who dare to lift up a weapon to hurt another person. Just last week, I offered an amendment to AB 1310 to reinstate the firearm enhancement in the State of California to say, if you use a gun in a crime, you will go to prison for a long sentence so you cannot hurt other people. This is how public safety works. Our soft on crime policies have failed, and this body has failed. When given that opportunity to reinstate the firearm enhancement last week, this body rejected that amendment. What message does that send about gun violence? And the statistics show that our policies have failed. Compared to pre pandemic levels in 2019, gun related homicides in the State of California have increased by 52%. Gun related aggravated assaults are up 64% under our watch. We cannot tolerate this in a civilized society. And the worst part of this, and I know my colleague has alluded to this, the victims of these crimes are overwhelmingly minorities in disadvantaged communities. They are the true victims, not the people pulling the triggers of these guns. They're not the victims. So I rise. I rise not just for this resolution, but I rise for real action on gun violence. We are not going to eliminate guns from the United States. It's in our constitution. What we can do is eliminate people by locking them up and incarcerating them, who would use a gun to hurt another person. And we have to look at the mental health laws as well. So I hope that our conversations can be productive and focus on bipartisan, meaningful action to combat gun violence rather than political rhetoric. I thank you. And I urge and aye support.

Assembly Member Davies, you are recognized.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Today, I also support HR 39. And there's a lot of things we need to do. But we sat here, like last year, and we put gun laws out there, but we don't have any punishment there. They're misdemeanors. So really, where's the threat? Where's the threat for the criminal? If you really want illegal guns off the street, you need to get the legal criminal off the street because they're the ones holding the guns. So there's so much that we need to do together here. But just picking one or another, it doesn't work that way. And I just want to just if I may, just quick read. In regards to Japan, you're absolutely right. They've got a very low rate, but also the maximum penalty for unlawful possession of firearm in Japan is 15 years in prison. Once again, we don't have penalties anymore. And that's what the problem is. There is no accountability. So, yes, we've got so much we need to do with addiction, with drug abuse, with mental illness, but there's got to be accountability, because if there's not accountability, do you really think the criminals are going to go, oh my, I'm not allowed to use this. They're committing crimes right and left without any punishment. So we've got to take a strong stand and actually make it that they're accountable if they're going to do something, especially when they're taking someone's life. Thank you.

Assembly Member Ta, you are recognized.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I stand in support of SR 39. The use of guns during the commission of crime is a serious problem in California. Our state has recently experienced horrific strategy, including the shooting in Monterey Park where illegal firearms were used in the murder of innocent people. Prevention of gun violence is why I introduced AB 27. And while that Bill did not make it out of the Public Safety Committee, I am committed to ensuring that perpetrator of armed violence face the consequences for their actions. I want to thank the author for bringing this resolution to the floor and ask for everyone's support.

Assembly Member Berman, you're recognized.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I rise as a proud founding Member of the Gun Violence Working Group that we have here in the California State Legislature. And I can't help but rise in response to the faux outrage from some republican colleagues of mine who are more interested in getting social media likes than they are following actual data. Actual data that shows that the crime laws that the gun safety laws, that the smart gun safety laws that we have in California are working, but who don't want to compare California's stats against stats of red states in the south. Of stats where Republicans control supermajorities of the Legislature, where they have, quote unquote tougher laws on guns. And they have significantly higher gun deaths and gun crimes in those states than we have in California. I can't wait to hear the point of order, please.

My colleague, I appreciate your concern, but I always ask we keep the merits of the resolution and not make this personal attacks on Republicans. We all have our

Oh, I'm sorry, but I believe that one of your colleagues said that we failed. Is that not an attack on all of us? That they said that we in this body have failed? The individuals make up the institution. The individuals are the ones who vote on the Members.

We do not engage in that way here in this room. Thank you.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. So I rise to encourage all of my colleagues, no matter what partisan stripe they wear, to look at the data to look at the data that shows that the laws that we have in California save, on average, 2000. People per year. California in comparison to the average state not in comparison to Texas, not in comparison to Florida, but California in comparison to the average state in the United States. We have 2000 less gun deaths per year than the average state. That's real people, that's real lives that we're saving in this body, in this institution from the laws that we pass. So let's follow that data. Let's continue to pass smart, safe gun safety laws in California like the Bill that my colleague from San Fernando Valley has. And let's continue to save lives because it doesn't matter about talking points, it doesn't matter about social media stars. It matters about saving lives. That's what we have the opportunity to do as an institution. And I encourage everyone to support HR 39. Thank you very much.

Assembly Member Gabriel, you are recognized.

Thank you very much, Madam Speaker, I rise in support of HR 39. Proud to author of the measure. I want to thank our colleague from Oakland who has been an extraordinary champion and voice on these issues for presenting it today. I'm so proud to work with her and with our colleague from Orange County and from South Los Angeles and from Torrance and Palo Alto and so many other places, folks who have stood in support of passing laws to make our state safer. Just want to offer a few thoughts about some of the debate today. First of all, I come at this issue, I think, much the same way that my colleague from Oakland does is first and foremost as a parent, as the father of three young kids. And nothing to me is a symptom or a evidence of our failure more than the fact that our kids have to do active shooter drills in kindergarten, as my oldest son did last year. And the idea that our kindergartners would have to be told by their teachers how they need to respond because of the event, that someone would come into their classroom with an automatic weapon and try to slaughter them, I think is all we need to know about where we are and how badly we have failed as a country. And I also want to lift up the comments of our colleague from Torrance. This is a uniquely American phenomenon. This is a policy choice that all of us are making. All of the conversations that you have heard today, the other things that people have lifted up as examples, mental health, violent video games, all of the other things that people offer as excuses, they have all of those things in Japan and poverty, they have those in all of these other countries in the world. What they do not have is children who are killed with weapons of war on a regular basis. That is a uniquely American phenomenon. So everything else that we've heard about today, yes, that is something we need to work on, that absolutely deserves our attention, but frankly is an excuse from the real problem, which is policy choices that we have made that are putting all of our children at risk. And I think it was interesting today that we were lectured about people posturing politically about this issue and given a prime example of that when, as our colleague from Silicon Valley said, the data is unambiguous here. The data is unambiguous here. California's gun safety laws work. In 2001, we were ranked as the number one state for gun safety laws. We have a gun death rate that is 37% lower than the national average. So the alternatives that are being offered to us are alternatives from states where they have failed, where people are killed at guns at a much higher rate. California's gun death rate was the 44th lowest in the nation. We have 8.5 gun deaths per 100,000. That is still far too many. But that is compared to 13.7 deaths per 100,000 nationally, 28.6 in Mississippi, 20.7 in Oklahoma, and 14.2 in Texas. So all these other alternatives that are being held up as models for us, people are dying there at much higher rates than they are dying in our state. So people, before they get up and postulate and try to score political points, ought to check the facts and ought to check the data, because they tell a very, very different story here. We heard from our colleague from Oakland guns are the leading cause of death of children in the United States of America. Let me say that again. Guns are the leading cause of death of children in the United States of America because of policy choices made by politicians. And the really sad and uncomfortable thing about all of this is that 90% of the public supports common sense gun safety laws. What we have is politicians who are afraid of certain interest groups, who won't want to stand up to them, who aren't willing to stand up for children because they're more interested in pleasing a certain donor class than they are about protecting the lives of young people. That's the real truth about what's going on here. And every single person in this room and every single parent in the United States understands that and knows that with absolute clarity. And this is what's so sad about this. The communities that are disproportionately harmed by gun violence are our lowest income communities. Think about this. According to the CDC, the parents of a black son aged 13 to 19 are more likely to lose their child to gun homicide than every other cause of death combined. That is an absolute failure. But the truth is that no community is safe. I remember with extreme clarity a couple weeks after I was elected to this body. There was a mass shooting at the Borderline Restaurant in Thousand Oaks. Statistically one of the safest cities in America, and still you see an example of a mass shooting. The truth is, it doesn't matter what color your skin is, how rich your community is, what you look like, none of us are safe. And I can look around this room at different colleagues, and I can think about mass shootings that have taken place in every single one of their communities or cycles of violence that happen every single day and don't make the news. So, colleagues, before we start postulating, before we start the rhetoric, I was so unfortunate to hear this because I've always hoped, as we have in our gun violence prevention work group, to make this a bipartisan issue. This should be an issue that parents should be able to come around, to unite around, understand that none of our communities are safe and that we are failing because of policy choices. We are the outlier here. Every other country in the world is safer for kids than the United States of America when it comes to gun violence because of our choices. I hope that we can continue to pass these common sense gun safety laws which are saving lives here, indisputably in the State of California, and work together, all of us, because it's all of our children who are at risk to pass more laws to make things safer. With that, respectfully request an aye vote on HR 39.

Seeing no others wish to speak on this item. Assembly Member Wicks, would you like to close?

Would respectfully ask for an aye vote and please have the first vote open for co authors.

The Clerk will open the roll for co authors. All those who desire to vote, vote. This is for co authors. All those vote who desire to vote. All those who desire to vote, vote. This is for co authors. All those vote who desire to vote, the Clerk will close the rule. There are 67 aye co authors, and without objection, we will take a voice vote on the resolution. All those in favor, say aye. Opposed say no. The ayes have it. The resolution is adopted. Members, without objection, the quorum call is lifted, and we will now move to adjournment in memory. Members, please move your conversations off the floor and give your respectful attention to those who were granted prior permission to speak on an adjournment in memory. And we'll go ahead and start with assemblymember. Petrie-Norris.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Members, I rise today with a heavy heart to adjourn in the memory of Dr. Alan Lee Bernstein. Dr. Bernstein, who was lovingly known in our community as Doc, served on the Tustin City Council from 2012 to 2020, and as mayor of the City in 2017 and 2020. He served the City of Tustin in numerous capacities, from local leadership roles to service on state boards and commissions.

Fundamentally, Doc was committed to seeing Tustin be the finest city it could possibly be, and he always looked out for the best interest of Tustin residents, businesses and staff Members. Most recently, Dr. Bernstein also served Orange County on the South Coast Air Quality Management District hearing board. As a medical Member, Doc was never afraid to tell you where he stood on an issue, and he was always ready for a healthy discussion or debate.

He was also compassionate and empathetic, which came naturally to him from years of caring for his patients throughout his career as a foot and ankle surgeon. Most importantly, he considered the people he worked with at the City of Tustin his friends, and he always made time to talk. Though Dr. Bernstein's duties with the City of Tustin ended at the end of 2020, he was never gone from City Hall.

He kept in touch, sent birthday cards or get well wishes, and always let the people of Tustin know that he was thinking of them. Assembly District 73 lost a wonderful public servant who cared immensely for his community. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Dr. Bernstein's wife, Randy, his son and daughter in law, Adam and Carly, and to his mother, Ruth. He will be deeply missed and fondly remembered. Members, please join me today in adjourning in the memory of Dr. Alan Lee Bergenstein.

Thank you. Assembly Member Petrie Norris. Assembly Member Davies, you are recognized. Dixon, you are recognized.

Thank you, speaker. I too am sad to recognize the passing of my longtime friend and Orange County colleague elected colleague, former Tustin Mayor Dr. Alan Bernstein, who passed away May 24. He was a great man and a stellar public servant who had his community's best interest. Always, in front of his mind, he stood up for those who couldn't or wouldn't speak up. He was a guiding light for all who were lucky enough to know him.

He and I met 10 years ago, over 10 years ago, when we participated in a UCI program in public policy for interested future electeds before either one of us had served in an elected capacity. He went on to serve his community in Tustin with great honor and compassion, as well as the residents of all of Orange County. In his capacity, he served with great honor and compassion. He will be missed for his wisdom and heart. Thank you. I join in adjourning in his memory. Thank you.

Thank you. Assembly Member Dixon, please bring the names to the desk to be printed in the Journal. All requests to adjourn in memory. We were deemed read and printed in the Journal. Moving to announcement Committee meet Committee hearings. Transportation meets at 02:30 P.m. In swing space. Room 1100. The Special Committee on Legislative Ethics meets at 04:00 P.m. In swing space. Room 4400. The session schedule is as follows Tuesday, June 6, check in session. Wednesday, June 7, check in session.

Thursday, June Eigth, floor session at 09:00 A.m.. All other items remaining will be passed and retained. All motions shall be continued. Seeing and hearing no further business, I'm ready to entertain. A motion to adjourn. Mr. Garcia moves and Ms. Waldron seconds that this house stands adjourned until Thursday, June eigth at 09:00 A.m.. The house is adjourned. Thank you.