Senate Floor

Secretary, please call the roll.

[Roll Call]

Members, a quorum is present. Would our members and our guests beyond the rail and in the gallery, please rise? We'll be led in prayer this afternoon by our guest chaplain, Father Zakaryan, after which, please remain standing for the posting of the colors by the Homenetmen, scouts, and pledge of allegiance. Father.

Honorable state Senators, from the headquarters of the Western Diocese of the Armenian Church of North America, we greet you with wholehearted and sincerest wishes and come before you as religious servants and sons and daughters of a nation of survivors. A nation which champions democracy, promotes regional stability, peace and prosperity. We commend your dedication and zealous spirit with which you serve the citizens of the great State of California. In the Holy Bible, we are instructed to pray for our leaders.

It is with this great regard that we heed to this calling. Let us all bow our heads in prayer. Almighty God, we come before you beseeching your divine love, mercy, and peace. Bless the members of the California State Senate. Grant them peace, love, and wisdom to serve their constituents with unrelenting dedication and enduring affection. May humility and graciousness guide them as they face various challenges associated with their service, in order that they may embrace kindness, compassion, and justice. Amen.

Scouts. Scouts, please post the colors. Members, please join me in a pledge of allegiance to the flag. Scouts, please retire the colors. Thank you. Yes. All right, members, without objection, we will take up the following resolutions out of order, SR 83 and SCR 183. After adoption of each resolution, we'll return to privileges of the floor for authors to introduce their guests. Under privilege of the floor, we're recognizing Senator Wilk's wife at this time, Vanessa Safoyan Wilk. Thank you for joining us. Now, members, we're moving to Senate third reading. We have file item 31, SR 83, by Senator Wilk. He's prepared.

Secretary, you may read

Senate resolution 83 by Senator Wilk, relative to the acknowledgement of the tragedy of the Armenian genocide of 1915 through 1923.

Senator Wilk, the floor is yours.

Thank you, Mister President and members. As a founding member of the Armenian Legislative Caucus it pains me to be introducing SR 83, commemorating the 109th anniversary of the Armenian genocide of 1915. 109 years have passed. Those who lived through that period are now dead, and the Armenian people have yet to receive the acknowledgment from those responsible. Even worse is still going on today. Beginning in 1915, more than 1.5 million Armenians were systematically exterminated during the first genocide of modern times.

In addition to the Armenians, the bloods of tens of thousands of Greeks and Assyrians were shed by the Ottoman Turks as well. Despite the documented carnage and historical evidence, the Turkish government has never acknowledged or taken responsibility for what happened. In 2008, then-Senator Barack Obama stated, quote, the Armenian genocide is not an accusation, a personal opinion, or a point of view. It is a widely documented fact, supported by an overwhelming body of historical evidence. And on April 242021 Senator Joe. Excuse me.

President Joe Biden became the first US President to declare the formal recognition of the Armenian genocide. While the Armenian people are appreciative of acknowledgement of their history, yet another pogrom against the Armenian people is occurring today. On September 13, 2022 Turkey's ally Azerbaijan launched an unprovoked assault on the sovereign Armenian territory with intense shelling and drone attacks on Nagorno-Karabakh, also known as the Republic of Artsakh.

In the following weeks and months, the Azerbaijan troops bombed towns and churches, established a blockade preventing food and medicine from being delivered, and ultimately force the relocation of over 100,000 Armenians living in Artsakh. Because of Armenians' geographic location in the world, it doesn't hold a national vital interest for the US government. Thus, little is being done to protect the freedoms and property of those Armenians that were forced to flee.

I pray that the world community will understand the moral imperative of ensuring that free people remain free and that a peaceful solution is reached. There are approximately 10 million Armenians in the world, with about 3 million living in country and the remaining 7 million being part of the diaspora. Despite being scattered throughout the globe, the Armenian people have been able to retain their culture and thrive in whichever country they settle.

In prior years, I told the incredible story of my wife, Vanessa's great aunt, who witnessed the murder of her husband at the hands of the Ottoman Turks, the starvation and death of her young children, including an infant, during one of the famous desert death marches, and she was raped and left for dead in a pile of corpses in the middle of the desert. However, she faked her death, escaped, and was reunited with her two brothers in Watertown, Massachusetts.

On the floor with us today are some of my family members, including my mother-in-law Alice Safoyan. And so I'm going to take, since this is my last time doing this in the Senate, I'm going to take an opportunity to talk about her husband, Ajanique Safoyan. So Ajanique's family hailed from the van region of historical Armenia. In fact, Vanessa is named after her ancestral homeland. Azhaniq's parents were fortunate enough to escape the genocide and emigrated to Russia.

Azchinique was born in Russia, but then the Bolshevik revolution forced the family to flee once again, and they eventually settled in Tehran, Iran. At 18, Ajini came by boat to America to attend Columbia University. When he registered at Ellis Island, the immigration officer didn't know how to spell Ajinique, so he asked him to take on an American name. Harry Truman was President at that time, so Ajeanique registered as A. Harry Safoyan.

Like most immigrants, Harry had a deeper understanding of what it is to be an American than most those born here. He loved America and Armenia equally. In fact, Harry immediately signed up for the ROTC program at Columbia. But he was dismissed from the program during week six when the officer realized that he was not a us citizen. Harry eventually relocated to Boston, where he earned a bachelor's from Boston College and a master's and PhD from Boston University.

Harry and his wife Alice, had a home at 50 Bailey Road in Watertown, Massachusetts, which is Massachusetts version of Glendale, where they raised their three children. Their home became the first home for many Armenians who immigrated to the US seeking a better life. Harry would find them jobs, and Alice would host weekly dinners so the recent immigrants could build community in their new country. So despite the Turks' best efforts, the Armenian people have not only survived, but they have thrived wherever they've gone.

I close with words spoken by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau at an Armenian genocide ceremony on April 24, 2022. Quote, hatred and violence must never again be met with indifference. Each and every one of us has a role to play in making sure such brutality is never repeated. And it starts with taking a stand against discrimination and hate in all forms, whenever and wherever it occurs.

Together on this somber anniversary, we remember the lives lost, recognize the strength in the spirit of the Armenian people, and look forward with hope to a future of peace, mutual respect and dignity among people and countries around the world. It's with this hope in my heart that these words from Prime Minister Trudeau come to pass for all people. I respectfully ask for an aye vote on SR 83.

Thank you. Any further discussion or debate? Senator Durazo.

Thank you, Mister President. The State of California has been and will always be a place where those who are torn from their homelands can come and make a new home. The Armenian story is part of the greater California story. I am proud to represent little Armenia in my district, where so many Armenians have called it home for decades.

Today, our sympathy goes to all survivors of the Armenian genocide, their children and grandchildren, and especially the nearly half a million people of Armenian descent who are part of our state today. We also acknowledge the accomplishments and dedication of the descendants of the genocide victims who continue to fight for justice and play a vital role in California's advancement. The great State of California will not let their history vanish, and it will not let their demand for justice go unanswered.

In our own country, we have recognized the wrongs done to our own indigenous people. America is a nation of ethics. We know the difference between right or wrong, and we take action to side with suffering populations throughout the world. We can do no less now than to condemn the actions of Turkey and Azerbaijan to wipe even the memory of the Armenians off the face of the Earth.

I call upon all my colleagues in the state and federal level to condemn the Azeri and Turkish governments from their continued genocide against the Armenian people and urge and aye vote on SR 83.

Thank you, Senator Min.

Thank you, Mister President. I rise as well in support of SR 83. And I want to thank my colleague from Santa Clarita for bringing forward this critical resolution recognizing the Armenian genocide of 1915 to 1923 as home to the largest Armenian American population in the United States. California's recognition of the Armenian genocide is crucial. As the philosopher George Santayana said, those who cannot remember the past are doomed to repeat it.

And so we must persevere in remembering Armenian genocide because there are so many parallels to what's happening in the United States today. Much like the United States, the Ottoman Empire was a great nation-state based on a long tradition of multiculturalism and religious tolerance. But as it began to falter on the world stage, it became taken over by a hyper-nationalist regime that demonized and marginalized minority communities, including not only the Armenians but also Greeks and Assyrians.

This eventually led to the horrors that we now know as the Armenian genocide, where over 1.5 million Armenians were systematically exterminated. This horrific genocide was largely ignored by the rest of the world and then mostly forgotten. And this led directly to the inspiration of Adolf Hitler, who famously said, who, after all, speaks today of the annihilation of the Armenians in justifying the atrocities of his own Nazi regime.

It is essential to remember this as we see that alarming rise of authoritarianism and hyper-nationalism across the world, including here in the United States. So to truly honor the Armenian genocide, we must continue to recognize it and stand up against genocide everywhere, including the attacks on Artsakh by the Turkish government and its proxies. So I want to thank the author again and respectfully ask for your aye vote.

Thank you, Mister President. I rise today as a proud co author of Senate Bill or Senate Resolution 83 commemorating the anniversary of the Armenian genocide. And up on the balcony, we have so many Armenian leaders who've come together from all over California to be acknowledged and to participate in today's historical day sanctioned by the Ottoman Empire in 1915. The Armenian genocide was the first state-sponsored genocide in modern history and modern times.

Entire communities were forcibly marched to their death or murdered in an attempt to erase their presence from a region they had lived in peacefully for years and years. Over 4000 years. A matter of fact, California is home, you've heard, to the largest Armenian American Armenian population in the United States. And we're so proud of it here in California. We must continue to support the Armenian community to ensure future generations learn from this genocide and prevent the atrocity like this from ever happening again.

I am eternally grateful to the Armenian community and the Armenian Americans that are here today that have worked so hard to see us come together here in California and to their descendants and survivors across the globe for their perseverance and their dedication to the Armenian cause. In order for us to present to all of you heartfelt condolences and certainly the fact that we believe in the cause.

You're here today because of the fact that you will not not let anyone forget, as we must not ever forget the injustice befallen upon your ancestors. There must be a complete and accurate accounting of history. And only then can we prevent issues like this, atrocities like this that ever happen again in modern times or ever in our history or in our future. In my own district, the Armenian Genocide Martyrs Monument serves as a beacon for Armenians around the country.

And it's important and it cannot, we cannot stop from having people understand the genocide and what took place. That's why that Armenian monument is there to educate and to continue getting everyone to stop by and pay condolences and always remember the martyrs who survived, the martyrs who lost their lives, and certainly those right now who will not ever let us forget. God bless you all. Thank you. And I am in total support of SR 83.

Thank you, Senator Portantino.

Thank you. Thank you, Mister President and members. I am deeply honored to rise to support SCR 83 and mark the 109th anniversary of the Armenian genocide on our Senate Floor today, and to reaffirm our strong and unwavering commitment to ensure that California continues to recognize and remember the first genocide of the 20th century. I especially want to commend my friend, the good senator from Santa Clarita, who has been a tireless advocate for the Armenian American community and the positive relationship between California and Armenia.

The Senator has done tremendous good work, and he has always done it without fanfare, always in the background and always doing it from the heart. And I just know that California will miss this outstanding leader from Santa Clarita, and I'm so pleased that the Safoyan extended family is here to share in this solemn day in support of my colleague, but also in the recognition of this important genocide resolution that we have before us.

As it's been said, from 1915 to 1923, the Ottoman Empire systematically targeted and exterminated Armenian men, women, and children, along with countless Assyrians, Greeks, and other ethnic and religious minorities. The genocide resulted in the death of over 1.5 million Armenians. Let me say that again. 1.5 million people were slaughtered.

Now, the international community's failure to punish the perpetrators and the deniers of the first genocide, the Armenian genocide, and the subsequent political and economic and military support for the Erdogan and Aliyev's dictatorial regimes have only emboldened Turkey and Azerbaijan to continue their genocidal actions. This year, our reflections are deepened by the recent events in Nagorno Karabar, the beloved Artsakh.

In 2023, Azerbaijan, backed by Turkey, perpetuated an ethnic cleansing campaign against the Armenians of Artsakh, resulting in the loss of countless lives, the destruction of cultural and religious sites, and the forced exodus of 120,000 ethnic Armenians of Artsakh. A wonderful historic cathedral in Shushi, where I attended a wedding, is sadly no more a house of worship, and for the first time in a thousand years, Artsakh is left without its indigenous ethnic Armenian population.

Former international criminal court prosecutor Luis Moreno Ocampo and Juan Mendez, who was the first UN ambassador on genocide prevention, put the international community on high alert many times, showing the circumstances by which Azerbaijan's actions have constituted genocide. Today, three former Artsakh presidents and five other community leaders are still incarcerated in Azerbaijan. One of whom I hosted in my office in Glendale and then who hosted me in Artsakh is still illegally behind bars today.

The nine-month blockade that we talked about deprived food, water, and medicine from Artsakh and the captivity of the officials is a message from Azerbaijan to Armenians that they cannot live on their historic land that they will be starved, incarcerated, and killed. So, embedded in a 1948 universal declaration of human rights at the fourth Geneva Convention on Human Rights, to which Azerbaijan is a signatory, it states, no one shall be deprived of the return to their territory. No one should be deprived.

But here we have 120,000 people driven from their homes, gardens, cultural and historic sites, forced to pack whatever they could fit into their cars or in their backpack, and flee Artsakh to save their lives. So, sadly and tragically, many of these good people, it's been told, still hold onto the keys of their homes with the hope of someday to return. So the US must ensure, must ensure the right of Armenians to return to Artsakh under a safe condition.

And it can be argued strongly that because the first genocide perpetrated against ethnic Armenians went unpublished, unpunished a century ago, the same violent people are repeating their illegal and human acts today. And as it's been said, the Armenian genocide was used as a roadmap for future genocides. And we still have today in the capital today, genocide deniers walking the halls saying, this did not happen. That's today in California.

So Turkey and Azerbaijan continue their aggression against Armenians and Armenia, with attacks on the border and repeated and regular genocidal rhetoric. So the US was supposed to provide peace. Russia was supposed to provide peace. France was supposed to provide peace. And here we have 120,000 people driven from their home and genocide deniers walking the halls of our capital. So we must do more to hold people accountable for their actions.

We have a moral obligation to not just condemn the genocide and violations of human rights, but to demand justice. Because without peace, there is no justice. And without recognition and accountability, there is no peace. That is, once again why I call on the State Department to end US military aid to Azerbaijan, sanction Azerbaijani officials for the human rights violations, ensure the right of return for the forcibly displaced.

So despite these horrors, the Armenian people have persisted and rebuilt their country, contributed to immeasurable progress and positive reactions and positive interactions in the United States. In particular, here in California, where our state is home to the largest Armenian American population in the US, and obviously in the 25th Senate district, it is a vibrant, thriving community. And many community leaders are here today to mourn with us and to recognize with us. So I'm honored to represent this community. I stand in solidarity with the community.

Today, I hearken back to my visits to Artsakh, both pre and post-war, and how that country changed so much based on the aggression, the violence, and the mean-spirited ethnic cleansing. That Azerbaijan is perpetrating. And so we remember the resilience of the Armenian people. We reform our commitment to them, our love for them, and our recognition of the genocide. And we also make sure that we will never ever forget what happened beginning in 1915. So yerbek’ ch’enk’ morrana which means we will never forget. And I respectfully ask for a vote of aye on SR 83.

Thank you. Any further discussion or debate? President Pro Tem McGuire.

Thank you so much, Mister President. And Mister President, today I rise alongside our colleagues from the Armenian caucus in support of SR 83 to be able to commemorate the 109th anniversary of the Armenian genocide. I want to thank our colleagues, especially Senators Wilk, who delivered such a passionate address to this body, along with Senator Durazo and Senator Portantino and all the members on both sides of the aisle, for their work.

Their work to be able to remember the horrific tragedy and ensuring that no one on this planet ever forgets. You know, the history is clear. The genocide of the Armenian people will be staying in the history books forever. And the incidents that occurred resulted in the masculine as we've heard of 1.5 million Armenians in their homeland. We can't let history repeat itself. The Armenian people continue to face persecution, violence at home.

And America must stand with the people of Armenia to defend democracy and to be able to stand up against hate and to stand up against violence. We're honored by our esteemed guests who have gathered with us today. And we want to make it clear that California, the Golden State, stands with the Armenian people. And we stand with the members who call this great state home. Mister President respectfully asks for an aye vote on Sr 83.

Thank you. Thank you. Any further discussion, debate on this item? Seeing no microphones. Senator Wilk, would you like to close?

Yes. Thank you, Mister President. First of all, I want to thank all members for sharing their concerns about this issue. I want to give a special shout-out to the Senator from Burbank for the kind words about my service in this arena and also for the excellent history lesson that you gave everybody here today. And I really, really appreciate that and your leadership through the years, us working together on the Armenian caucus.

And you've been actually on the front lines in Artsakh numerous times and want to really thank you for that. And it was mentioned from the Senator for Orange County and others about how we should never forget. So I want to thank this body because every year we bring this up and we proclaim that this is not right. But if we don't continue to do that, it will happen again. I've had the experience twice of going to Yerevan, Armenia, and touring the genocide museum.

And when you see all the photos of the Ottoman Turks, who's right standing there with them? German soldiers. As was mentioned earlier, the playbook for genocide was conducted there in Armenia, and it continues to be acted out today. So it's important that we stand up and we advocate and we educate with that. Anytime I meet an Armenian, I always tell them I'm an ABC. They go, what's an ABC? And I said, Armenian by choice. So I hope all of you today will be in ABC by voting yes on SR 83. Thank you.

Thank you. Secretary, please call the roll on file item 31.

[Roll Call]

Please call the absent members.

[Roll Call]

Ayes 37 noes, zero. The measure passes. Now, members, we're going to move back to privileges of floor. Senator Wilk, you're recognized.

Thank you, Mister President. As mentioned by the Senator from Montebello, we have many Armenian leaders here today, but I'm just going to introduce a few of them. I want to start with my mother in law, Alice Safoyan, 97 years young. My brother in law, Greg Safoyan. My wife. Geez. My niece, Sydney Safoyan, with her boyfriend, Taz Ross. And Taz got a haircut just for today, so that's very impressive.

Also with us today, we have Glendale Mayer, Ellen Asterian, and I'm sure most of us know him, Haig Baghdassarian, the deputy secretary and chief counsel for the California Department of Food and AG. And none of this would be possible without really the heartbeat of the Armenian caucus. And that's Natalie Bruton-Yenovkian. That is hard to say.

We have members from the Armenian National Committee, Committee of America, members from the Armenian Assembly of America, and the person who led us in prayer today was the person who christened me in the Armenian Apostolic Church, father, Reverend Father Krikor Zakaryan. And with that, we're going to take a quick photo and then any other members who want to join, we'd love to have you in it.

Thank you. On behalf of the California State Senate, we welcome each and every one of you. Now is the time for the photo.

I'm sorry, Mister President. The Senator from Riverside said I should acknowledge my Armenian bride once again. So, Vanessa Safoyan Wilk.

Welcome to all.

Thank you, Mr. President. Senators, you may have noticed that we have hundreds of students visiting Sacramento today for their IGNITE the Capitol Advocacy Day. This is the generation that will lead us into the next chapter of the 21st century. I want to acknowledge all of the incredible work, absolutely incredible work that IGNITE does to help young women discover and flex their political power, and for enabling so many to visit us in the capital today.

I'm very proud to welcome and introduce IGNITE members from the 31st Senate district who are here advocating for their community as well as for young women around the state from Home Gardens Academy and the Letha Raney Intermediate School in Corona. Senators, how about giving them a warm Senate welcome up here in the gallery?

Welcome to the California State Senate. Continuing with privileges of the floor, we want to next recognize Senator Bradford. Senator Bradford from the majority leader's desk.

Thank you, Mr. President. It's truly my pleasure to introduce a group of remarkable students and faculty and Administration from Junipero Serra High School in Gardena in the heart of my district. High school is just less than a mile from my home. Junipero Serra High School is a Catholic institution in Gardena founded in 1950 and has a rich tradition of excellence in education. 97% of their population are students of color who come from all across LA County.

Serra is one of few schools across the nation and the first school of color to participate in the International Space Station program. For the second year in a row, these hardworking, intelligent young people have spent countless hours that have culminated in sending an experiment aboard the International Space Station.

Their experiment launched just last month from Kennedy Space center in Florida to the International Space Center Station, I should say on board the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, which too was built in my district just a mile or so away from the high school itself. Sponsored by the nonprofit Quest Institute for Quality Education in San Jose that develops STEM programs from K-12 school globally.

This program has given these Serra students the opportunity to examine seed growth and germination in space and study the effects of 3D printing and microgravity. Serra's International Space Station program team is a prime example of the school's efforts to strengthen stem education for all students, especially underserved students in south Los Angeles. Due to their groundbreaking work in science education. Serra is now only the third school on the planet to be invited into the XPRIZE, which is the world's largest science competition.

Also known as the Olympics of science. These students are members of the National Society of Black Engineers, better known as NSBE, and have partnered with the USC's School of Engineering. And two of the seniors in the program have been accepted into USC for their accomplishments on this team. And one's also going to Morehouse. They are incredibly talented scholars and it's a privilege to have them recognized on the Senate today.

The students joining us on the floor today are Christopher Holbert, Travis Leonardo, Isaiah Dunn, Henry Toler, Keith Davey, Jonathan Cruz, Sasha Laverrette, Michelle Behena, and Anderson Peacock. Many of their parents who have traveled to be here today are joining us in the gallery. I would like to recognize the representatives from the Quest Institute, and Mr. Kenneth Irvine, who is the mentor, teacher, and science department chair at Serra High School, who has helped lead and guide these students every step of their way.

Mr. Joe Cormier is director of the advancement for Serra, who helped lead funding for all these programs. And Miss Angela Matata. Oh, I said I had that ready. Mastantuono, principal in Junipero Serra, whose leadership is what makes Serra such an incredible institution in the 35th Senate district. And just last but not least for sure, is John Moran, President of Junipero Ocera High School, for his commitment and dedication to providing underserved students in California with a competitive advantage in today's society. Members, let's welcome these young students from Junipero Serra High School.

Welcome to the California State Senate, Members, you're welcome to join a photograph in the back. A nd thank you to the parents for bringing them all here today. Thank you, parents. All right, we're going to continue with privileges of the floor. Senator Roth at the majority leader's desk.

Thank you, Mr. President. I rise today to present Senate Concurrent Resolution 138 declaring April as Parkinson's.

One minute. Secretary, please read.

Senate Concurrent Resolution 138 by Senator Roth relative to Parkinson's awareness month.

Senator Roth.

Thank you, Mister President. Declaring April is Parkinson's awareness month in California. Parkinson's disease has touched many of us in some way. I know for myself it's deeply personal, as my father had Parkinson's disease and actually passed away from its complications 32 years ago. And my very, very good Air Force friend was recently diagnosed. His father had it too. Parkinson's disease is the second most common neurodegenerative disease behind Alzheimer's.

Currently, there is no known cure or drug to slow or halt the progression of the disease, and available treatments are limited in their ability to address patients medical needs and remain effective over time. The California Parkinson's disease registry was created in 2017 through the state budget, the registry has become a model as it collects patient information that can help improve our understanding and treatment of Parkinson's disease.

The sponsor of this resolution, the Michael J. Fox foundation for Parkinson's research, has raised over $300 million for Parkinson's research in California. And in 2010, the foundation launched its landmark research study, the Parkinson's Progression Markers initiative, to better understand Parkinson's and advance new treatments. As a result of this study, in April 2023, the validation of the first ever biomarker for Parkinson's disease was announced.

For the first time in a living body, researchers can objectively detect an abnormal protein in individuals with Parkinson's and those yet not yet diagnosed with Parkinson's who do not show clinical symptoms. This is clearly an amazing and a very major breakthrough. It has become abundantly clear that increased research, education and community support services are needed to find more effective treatments and to provide access to quality care for those living with the disease today.

And it is certainly fitting to recognize April as Parkinson's awareness month in California. I respectfully ask for your aye vote on Senate Concurrent Resolution 138.

Thank you. Any further discussion or debate on this item? You see none? Secretary, please call the roll.

[Roll call].

Secretary, please call the absent Members.

[Roll call]

We'll call the row absent Members one more time.

[Roll call]

Ayes 37. No zero. The resolution is adopted now under privilege of the floor. Senator Roth.

Thank you, Mister President. Colleagues, please join me in welcoming some key Parkinson's advocates to the Senate Floor. Julia Pitcher from the Michael J. Fox Foundation, Michael Damison from the California Neurodegenerative Disease Registry and Katrina Taylor from the California Parkinson's disease registry. How about a round of applause?

Welcome to the California State Senate.

Are you still under privilege of the floor? Senator Hurtado, you recognize.

Thank you, Mister President. Members, I rise to invite you to join me after session in conference room 7400 in the swing space to celebrate agriculture and earth. We will have tomato plants available for you to take and cultivate in a friendly competition to see which Senator can grow the first red ripe tomato. Thank you, colleagues and I look forward to seeing you in room 7400.

Thank you. Now, Members, we're moving back to file item four. Messages from the Governor will be redeemed. Red messages from the Assembly will be deemed read. Reports of committees will be deemed read and amendments adopted under motions, resolutions and notices without objection. The Senate journals for April 152024 through April 13 8th, April 182024 will be approved as corrected by the minute Clerk.

Members, without objection, joint rule 62 A will be waived for education Committee to hear Senate Bill 1435 without four days notice in a daily file. Senator Becker.

Thank you, Mister President. Rise to remove file item a 46 AB 437 by Jackson from the inactive file. So noted. Now, Members, we're moving down to the consideration of the daily file. We're at second reading file. Secretary, please read Senate Bill 1133.

With amendments 1414. With amendments 1210. With amendments 993. With amendments 1118. With amendments 1298. With amendments 1413. With amendments.

All right, now moving to Senate third reading. We have two items. First up is file item 42. Senator Dodd. He's prepared. Secretary, please read Senate joint Resolution 10.

By Senator Dodd relative to the Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument Expansion Act.

Senator Dodd.

Thank you, Mister President. Members, SJR 10 urges the President to use existing authority granted by the Antiquities Act to expand the Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument and Congress to pass House Bill 1396 and Senate Bill 683. Both these measures would rename Walker ridge to Molok Yuluk, which means Condor ridge in the Patwin language. Additionally, they would also provide opportunities for partnerships between the tribes, Bureau of Land Management and the US Forest Service.

By expanding this national monument, we are protecting sacred tribal lands and critical habitat for wildlife and also improving access to the outdoors and helping to contribute to California's goal of protecting 30% of lands and waters by 2030. The resolution is a necessary step in urging steadfast action on this needed expansion. Respectfully I ask your aye vote.

Any further discussion or debate on this item? Any further discussion or debate hearing? See none. Secretary, please call the roll on file item 42.

[Roll call]

Please call the absent Members.

[Roll call]

All right, ayes 35, nos zero. The measure passes now. Members were moving on to file item 46. Senator Wahab, she's prepared. Secretary, you may read.

Senate concurrent Resolution 133 by Senator Wahab relative to American Muslim Appreciation and Awareness Month.

Senator Wahab?

Thank you, presidents and colleagues. I rise to present SCR 133, American Muslim Appreciation and Awareness Month. I'm proud to be part of this racially, ethnically, and culturally diverse Muslim community. It has historically been observed in August, but the community would like to be for it to move in April in order to support more inclusive programming. Now, I can say we are business owners, legal professionals, doctors, engineers, teachers, farmers, Humanitarians, athletes, comedians, musicians, filmmakers, artists and policy makers, which we are.

But we are human beings first, deserving of respect and dignity. Muslims are diverse, with over 1 billion and growing in the world, with the fastest growing demographic being Latino, we are also diverse in how we practice our faith. Some of us fast, some of us don't. Some of us are more modest. Some of us aren't. Some pray five times a day. Some don't pray at all. But all of us believe in peace, compassion and a commitment to community.

While incidents of hate continue to impact the Muslim community, we continue to show our resilience and thrive. Yet, this is a repeated story. Years ago, I worked with Assemblymember Bill Quirk to have an American Muslim Appreciation and awareness month, which has again traditionally been honored in August. And when he introduced this, he received death threats for doing this resolution. This is un American. I'm sick and tired of having to keep speaking up to say Muslims are people, too. Muslims are Americans.

Muslims deserve to be treated with dignity and respect. And yet, time and time again, I've stood up to speak up for this community, an American community that has been part of an American history since black Muslim slaves were brought to this nation before it was officially founded. I've stood up for vulnerable communities first and foremost after hearing comments that are degrading to them on this floor. But with the Muslim community, I still see this community left out on their own to fend for themselves.

I'm publicly saying this. I'm expecting everyone to step up for vulnerable communities. Whether you belong to it or not, it is the American thing to do, I respectfully ask for an aye vote.

Thank you, Senator Min.

Thank you, Mister President. As Vice Chair of the Asian American Pacific Islander Legislative Caucus, I, too, rise in support of SCR 133. I want to thank my colleague from Hayward for bringing this forward. The American Muslim community accounts for 3.45 million people in our nation, over 500,000 people right here in California. In our state alone, we have over 200 diverse mosques, religious centers, and community institutions, which add to the rich tapestry of diversity in the State of California.

The Muslim community, as my colleague expressed, makes incredibly significant contributions to our culture, to our labor force, with about 8% of the Muslim population being self employed, and each Muslim business owner providing jobs on average of eight per business, supporting an estimated 1.37 million total jobs in the United States. At a time when islamophobia and anti Muslim sentiments generally are on the rise, including, we saw a few years back, an attempted Muslim ban preventing people from traveling.

It is imperative that we fight against all discrimination and stand in solidarity with our Muslim brothers and sisters. So today, just want to note that the API legislative caucus encourages everyone to join with our Muslim American friends and urge you to vote aye. And support the vibrant contributions, culture, and heritage of the Muslim community. Thank you.

Thank you. Any further discussion or debate on this item? Any further discussion and debate seeing none. Senator Wahhab, would you like to close?

I respectfully ask for an aye. Thank you.

Secretary, please call the roll.

[Roll call]

On a vote of 37 to zero, the resolution is adopted. Members, we're going to move back to motions and resolutions. This is the time to address adjourn and memory motions. First, want to recognize Senator Bradford?

Thank you, Mister President. Members, today I rise to adjourn in memory of a friend. A friend that I did not know that long, but who made a tremendous impact on me in the short period of time that we got to know each other. That in the person of Terrence Troy Dasher, who passed away on February 24, at the tender age of 55, Troy was a business trailblazer, a powerful orator, a pillar of corporate America and the cannabis industry in California and across this nation.

He was born in Pell City, Alabama in 1968 and was a student at Gettyburg College, where he graduated and later on served on the board until the time of his passing. As a young man, Troy was an excellent student and participated in many activities in and out of school. He was a Member of the Beta Club, Future Farmers of America, the state championship track team, and in the marching band, where he was a fantastic drummer.

He was a dj for his campus radio station, the President of the Black Student Union, and one of the first black student body Senators at his University. Troy's business career spanned many industries and eventually led him to Oakland, California. He worked with Procter and Gamble, Wood brothers, and JTG Racing and the Clorox Corporation. And let me go back to JTG racing.

He was one of the first and only African Americans to work in this space and advertising all the corporate companies you see attached to stock car racing today. He had a lot to do with that, and he made a voluntary decision to leave his corporate job at corporate and gamble to do such and promote advertising of companies and stock car racing. As stated, he worked at Procter and Gamble, the woods brothers, and Clorox.

He worked for 20 years at Clorox and reached the pinnacle of his career in 19, I mean, 2019, when he was named Senior Vice President and chief customer officer responsible for the company's worldwide sales organization. He was only two African Americans to ever reach the C suite at Clorox, and he voluntarily left in 2021, when he made history and became the first black California Executive officer and Chairman of a major publicly traded cannabis company.

As CEO of the parent company, Troy was honored to be at the forefront of shaping the future of the cannabis industry. It was through this industry that I was able to meet him in 2023 at the National 21, I should say, at the National Caucus of state block legislators. When we sat on a panel, he disrupted a sector that had been disproportionately impacted by communities of color, and he helped create an industry that, that was rooted in diversity, equity, and justice.

He believed in giving back to his community, especially youth, his Alma mater, Gettysburg College, and the young black executives. Troy built a legacy based on love for his family, friends, hometown, and everyone who was blessed to know him. He is survived by his devoted wife, Shannon, and his daughter, Nya, who I was privileged to meet. His mother and father, Margaret and Ernest and many brothers, sisters, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

He will be truly missed by all that knew him by corporate America and Members, help me adjourn in the memory of a real Jedi warrior, a warrior for justice, equity, diversion, diversity and inclusion. Thank you.

Thank you. Senator Bradford. Senate extends its condolences to his family and friends. Please bring his name forward so he can be properly memorialized in the Senate journal as we adjourn in his memory. Next up, Senator Durazo.

Thank you Mister President. Colleagues, it is with sadness that I ask we adjourn in the memory of distinguished community lawyer Fred Tsuneo Nakamura passed away at the age of 71, dedicating more than 40 years to community stewardship. He leaves behind a lasting legacy of justice that has profoundly touched the lives of his clients, colleagues and those who admire and respect him. He was born in Okinawa, Japan. He moved to United States where he earned his degree at the University of Washington.

Encouraged by attorneys at Puma Pump, Pima County Legal aid in southern Arizona where he volunteered as a senior citizen outreach paralegal. He went on to complete his JD at People's College of Law in Los Angeles while working with the National Lawyers Guild in tenant Action Centers. Following graduation, he began his legal profession with neighborhood legal Services of Los Angeles where he was known and appreciated for his compassion and advocacy.

While representing tenants in some of LA's poorest neighborhoods, Fred often brought a camera and a toolbox to his clients homes, the first to document their problems and the second to try and fix them. Having joined Legal Aid foundation of Los Angeles as a Staff Attorney in its eviction defense center, Fred later returned to legal services where he served with his characteristic dedication, sense of concern and as associate Director of litigation and policy until he retired in 2022.

Over the course of his career, he earned a stellar reputation as an expert in eviction defense, rent control, relocation assistance, federally subsidized housing, affordable housing development, homeowner fraud and mobile home issues. He served his community by providing direct service services, work impact litigation and policy advocacy. Fred trained and mentored hundreds of lawyers for which he was acknowledged with numerous honors.

He will be celebrated and remembered for far more than just his accomplishments as a compassionate lawyer as he leaves behind a legacy of a caring community Member. He is survived by his siblings Bob, George, Roy, Kathy and Linda, nephews, extended families and close friends. Rest in power brother Fred, you will be missed.

Thank you Senator Durazzo. The Senate extends its condolences to Mister Nakamura's many friends and family. Please bring his name forward so he can be properly memorialized in the Senate Journal as we adjourn in his memory. We're going to move next to Committee announcements. Committee announcements first up, Senator Archuleta.

Thank you, Mister chair. The military and veterans Committee will room immediately after adjournment in room 113113 here in the Capitol.

Thank you, Senator Archuleta. Next up, Senator Blakespear.

Thank you. The Committee on Elections and constitutional amendments will meet upon a German of session in room 112 of the Capitol here in the Capitol. Thank you.

Thank you, Senator Blakespear. Senator Bradford, thank you.

Upon adjournment, the Senate Energy and Utilities and Communications Committee will meet in room 1200 in swing space.

Senator Roth.

Thank you, Mister President. The Senate Health Committee will meet in room 220015 minutes after adjournment.

Thank you, Senator Roth. If there's no other business before the Senate, Senator McGuire, the desk is clear.

Thank you so much, Mister President. And again to Senator Wilkes, Senator Portantino, Senator Drossel and all of the Members commemorating Armenian genocide Day. Thank you. The next floor session is scheduled for Thursday, April 25 at 09:00 a.m.

Thank you, Senator Mcguire. The Senate will be in recess until 03:30 p.m. At which time the adjournment motion will be made. We will reconvene Thursday at 09:00 a.m. It.