Senate Floor

The Senate will come to order. Secretary, please call the roll.

[Roll Call]

A quorum is present. Good afternoon, everyone, with the members and the guests beyond the rail and in the gallery, please rise. We will be led in prayer this afternoon by our guest chaplain, Reverend Bob Oshita, after which, please remain standing for the pledge of allegiance to the flag. Reverend Oshita.

Please join me in a moment of quiet reflection. There are over 40 countries and cultures in the Asian Pacific Island area. Their cultural influence on the world stage is now a natural part of our everyday life. In the areas of art, music, dance, literature, food, philosophy, spirituality, economics and politics.

In every dimension of our lives, we have a fusion of cultural flavors, and it is wonderful. It is both beautiful and meaningful to take pride in the cultures and traditions within which we have been raised.

Even more beautiful is it to take pride in the multicultural heritage that, in essence, we, we all share here in the United States of America, and most especially in being a part of the State of California. Although there are about 200 countries recognized by the United Nations in the world today, in reality we are not separate.

We are all one humanity in the borderless geography of the Earth. With a vision of the world as one, we will begin to live with empathy and kindness as we realize we are all connected in the fabric of life. Today is a reminder for us to embrace and appreciate the beauty of diversity. Namu Amida Butsu. With kindness and gratitude beyond words.

Reverend Oshida, thank you for being with us today. Members and guests, please join me in the pledge of allegiance.

Members, let me just give you a flavor for the day. Today we have some wonderful presentations and introductions that we're going to have. We have about eight bills on the agenda for our review. So, members, without objection, we will take up the following resolution out of order today.

This is file item 14, SR 81. After adoption of the resolution, will return to privileges of the floor for the author to introduce their guests. So, to begin the day's proceedings, we're going to begin with file item number four. This is SR 81 by Senator Min. Secretary, please read. Excuse me, item 14. Secretary, please read.

Senate Resolution 81 by Senator Minh relative to Asian and Pacific Islander American Heritage Month.

Senator Min at the majority leader's desk.

Thank you, Mister President. As Vice Chair of the Asian American and Pacific Islander Legislative Caucus, along with my colleague, Senator Aisha Wahab, I'm pleased to present SR 81 to recognize May 2024 as AAPI Heritage Month.

Each May, our country celebrates the diversity of people whose families, like mine, immigrated from Asia and the Pacific Islands to America. AAPIs are one of the fastest growing ethnic populations in the United States and in California, with this state being home to more than 7 million Asian American and Pacific Islanders, comprising 15% of our state population.

Throughout history's AAPIs have significantly contributed to our nation's and state's development. And today and this month, we celebrate and embody those deeply rooted cultural traditions and stories. We represent a large portion of our first responders, small businesses, and front lines.

We provide resources and advocate for the needs of diverse AA and NHPI populations, and our communities have continued to fight for equitable representation and access across all fields.

Growing up in the 1980s here in California, I didn't have a lot of role models to look up to, whether it was in politics or law or business or medicine or nonprofits or philanthropy.

But today, behind me, we have a cross section of leaders that are starting to fill out those roles and that is so important for the next generation. Please join me in celebrating Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month and in supporting Sr 81.

Thank you, Senator Minh. Further discussion and debate. Senator Nguyen.

Thank you, Mister President. I, too, rise today in support of Senate Resolution 81 recognizing May as Asian and Pacific Islanders heritage monthly. We celebrate AAPI Heritage Month to commemorate the Asian American Pacific Islanders experience and tell the many stories of individuals and family who came to the United States and have contributed greatly to the American dream.

California is home to over 6 million Asian and Pacific Islander Americans, more than any in other states. My community, Orange County, is home to the third largest number of Asian American owned businesses in the United States, with over 63,000 Asian American owned businesses countywide.

The month of May was chosen to remember the immigration of the first Japanese to the United States on May 71843 and to mark the anniversary of the completion of transcontinental Railroad on May 10, 1869. The majority of the workers who lay the tracks being Chinese immigrants, Chinese, Indian, Filipino, Vietnamese, Korean, Japanese, Hmong, and many other groups.

We've all arrived in America low skilled, low wage laborers and facing extreme discrimination. Our communities have made amazing stripes in achieving success in the American dream, but there is still much work to be done. Discrimination, hate crimes, and Asian American industries that have been singled out in our state's legislation.

I am fighting to make sure not only that work of this important community is recognized, but that we are treated fairly. Thank you to the author for introducing this measure so we can recognize the many AAPI contribution to California and the United States. I also saw that there's a booklet on your desk as well.

Just to note, there's also four Republican AAPI Members, three in the Assembly and myself here in the Senate. We were not recognized in the booklet, but I also want to make sure that we understand that being Asian American, you're born with it. You're born as an Asian American. It's not a choice. Partisanship is a choice.

You can be a Republican or Democrat or no party preference. I chose to recognize today Asian American month, not a partisan issue at all. Thank you.

Thank you, Senator Nguyen. Next up, I have Senator Bradford, followed by Senator Wahab. Senator Bradford, the floor is yours.

Thank you, Mister President. As Vice Chair of the legislative Black Caucus, I stand and in strong support of SR 81, recognizing May 2024 as Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander heritage month.

As someone whose grandparents lived in Japan and I grew up and still live in Gardena, which has a strong Asian Pacific Island presence, and as someone who represents a district, what a large Asian Pacific Islander presence in the community, I want to recognize the contributions that are made to sustain this state as well as this nation.

Whether it was building our railroads under harsh, unjust, and racist conditions, or on the theater of war and World War Two, the mighty 442 go for broke in their courage, or today in the fields of education, science, technology, art, entertainment that add to the rich tapestry that make up California.

So I stand in solidarity to acknowledge these accomplishments, especially as this community has come under attack in places such as issues of racism and ignorance. We must strongly condemn this hatred and continue to stand with our Asian American brothers and sisters in strong solidarity. With that, I respectfully ask for an aye vote on Sr 81.

Thank you, Senator Bradford. Senator Wahab, the floor is yours.

Thank you. I also rise in support of Sr 81. AAPI 2024. Heritage Month is incredibly important to the fabric of our society, especially California, as diverse as it is. I do want to highlight and echo some of the comments of my colleagues. Being Asian is not a monolith. The Asian community is not a monolith.

I represent the largest Asian Asian district in the State of California, and I want to say that not only are we made up of individuals that are both Republican and Democrat, no party preference as well, but we have the values and ideals that every American has. We want to protect our children.

We want to make sure that they have a good education. We want to make sure that our families are thriving, that people are safe and people are treated with fairness and dignity. And more and more, we see this erode in our day to day talking, interactions with others.

And it's important as policymakers that we stand up for every single person that makes up this community as well as the entire American community. So I'm very thankful and I want to congratulate all of our honorees today.

It was very hard, at least for me in my district, to choose one individual that exemplifies the ideals of this community. So I thank you. And I also would respectfully ask for an. Aye vote for Sr 81. Thank you.

Thank you, Senator Durazp.

Thank you, Mister President. I want to rise and talk about the many API communities in my district. Little Tokyo, Chinatown, historic Filipino town, Koreatown and Thai town. These are historic centers of arrivals of those various communities and individuals who over several generations have arrived in Los Angeles.

They represent thriving residential and business centers, but they are also embedded in the Latino community so that you get the vibrancy and the diversity of various communities all living in together. So I want to acknowledge and thank the many contributions of these various communities. Thank you.

Thank you. Senator Durazo. Senator McGuire, moment. Please let me go to Senator Wiener first and then we'll go to you. Senator McGuire. Senator Wiener. Senator.

Thank you, Mister President. I rise in support of SR 81. I'm proud to represent one of the largest API communities in the state. Nearly 40% of Senate district 11 identify is API. We have a large and vibrant Chinese American community, a large and vibrant Filipino American community and other great communities.

And I'm just so proud of San Francisco and northern San Mateo county for being a part of our state that so deeply embraces the amazing diversity of our community. Thank you. Thank you, Senator Wiener.

Senator McGuire.

Thank you so much, Mister President. I arise alongside the AAPI caucus in support of Asian Americans Pacific on their heritage month Members. I want to say thank you to the Senator.

To my right, the Senator from Irvine who is co chair of the AAPI Caucus for bringing Sr 81 to the floor today along with all of the caucus Members. I think that we can all agree you take a look at the impact that AAAPI residents have on this state. It's great.

There are 6 million Members of this community who proudly call the Golden State home and the cultural and economic impact that this community has weaved into the fabric of the state means that the Golden State will continue to be successful for decades to come.

And as a reflect back on our state's history, I think that we can also be reminded of the painful moments of the past and the injustices brought upon this community. We need to ensure that we never repeat that again. I want to say again, thank you to each and every Member of the AAPI caucus for their leadership.

And your leadership and advocacy will continue to empower and inspire generations of Californians to come. We respectfully ask for an aye vote on Sr 81.

Thank you, Senator Mcguire. Any further discussion or debate? Further discussion or debate. Scene nine Senator Min, you may close.

Thank you, Mister President. I want to thank the President pro tempore for his comments, as well as my colleagues, including from the Senator from Huntington Beach, the Senator from Hayward. Our fellow AAPIs in the Senate would just point out one final thing here.

Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders come from countries that represent roughly 60% of the world's population. When we talk about their role here in the United States, we have an incredible, diverse tapestry of experiences and heritages to draw from.

And what this is, as much as this is celebration of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders, this month is also a celebration of diversity.

And I just want to point out the importance of that at a time when diversity is being questioned, when inclusion is being questioned as a core value of the United States, this is a celebration of diversity. So with that, I respectfully ask for your. I vote on Sr 81. I'll debate having seized.

Secretary, please call the roll.

[Roll Call]

On a vote of 36 to zero, the resolution is adopted. We're going to move next to privileges of the floor. We're going to go back to Senator Min at the majority leader's desk. Senator Min.

Thank you, Mister President. As part of the celebration of AAPI Heritage Month, the Asian American and Pacific Islander Legislative Caucus recognizes and honors distinguished AAPI leaders from throughout the state. This year, we're proud to recognize 15 honorees who have demonstrated their willingness to step up, speak out and lead our communities.

Thank you to all of our honorees for uplifting AAPI voices and insisting that our community be visible and heard. We're proud to be Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders and we are incredibly proud to celebrate API heritage Month with you. With that, our first honoree is Jason Chan.

Jason serves as Chief of Staff to Ken McNeely AT&T's President of the west region, as well as the Director of external affairs, where he leads AT&T's national Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander engagement.

Prior to joining AT&T, Jason held multiple government appointments with the city and County of San Francisco, including as appointment secretary for then Mayor Gavin Newsom and served as the political Director for the Ed Lee for Mayor campaign.

Jason currently serves on the board of the National Asian Pacific Islander Chamber of Commerce and Entrepreneurship,and the Asian Pacific American Institute for Congressional Studies. Congratulations Jason.

And Members. We're going to take individual pictures as we go through the honorees and then we'll do a group picture at the end.

Our next honoree is Chun Yan Chen. As Executive Director of the Asian Pacific Community Fund, Chun Yan provides Executive leadership and directs operations and grant making for the organization. Under her leadership, APCF has grown from 12 Asian American nonprofits in 1990 to over 80 AAPI nonprofits in 2024.

Together, APCF and its network provide programs and services in 43 API languages covering over 1.25 million people and her role as the gateway and resources consultant for API philanthropy. Kunyan has worked closely with individuals, families and entrepreneurs to establish donors, advise, fund giving circle and customized scholarship program to create a philanthropic legacy and centralized AAPI giving power.

Congratulations Chun Yan. Thank you so much. Appreciate it. Okay, next up we have Doctor Kenneth Fong, who is a civic leader, philanthropist, biomedical entrepreneur and cultivator. He served as a trustee in the California State University system for seven years and witnessed the installation of three new Asian American presidents at Bay Area CSU campuses.

He's also very generous with scholarships, including endowing the annual trustee Fong Scholarship and the annual Kenneth S. Fong Translational Research Award for faculty and students at San Francisco State University. His contributions have warranted him earning a place in the Alumni hall of Fame in 1998 and Alumni of the Year in 2006 from San Francisco state.

Doctor Fong founded his first biotech company, Clontech, in 1984 and grew it to 400 employees, being the largest of his kind by an Asian American at the time. He then became an incubator, seeding and cultivating over 15 biotech companies over the years. Congratulations, Kenneth. Okay, next up, I would like to welcome Audra Ibarra.

Governor Jerry Brown appointed Judge Ibarra to the Santa Clara County Superior Court in December 2018. She's the first Filipino American judge in Santa Clara County and the first Filipino American female trial judge in the Bay Area.

Chief Justice Tani Canto Sequoyah appointed Judge Ibarra as a pro tem justice on the second District Court of Appeal from June 2021 to January 2022. Judge Ibarra is also a former President of the California Asian Pacific American Judges Association and a former voting Member of the Judicial Council.

She currently serves on the Judicial Council Criminal Law Advisory Committee and is a founding Member and treasurer of the California women judges. Congratulations, judge. Okay, there we go. Thank you. zero, wonderful. Yeah, that's right. Our next honoree is Feng La. And this is you right here.

Feng is an assessor from Alameda County and champions Asian American empowerment causes. His work has motivated others to embrace his ideas. Feng built a reputation for developing political alliances, building political strategies, incubating community relationships, and strengthening community programs through various communities and political activities.

Hmong has established strong relationships with federal, state, and local leaders throughout the San Francisco Bay Area. Congratulations. And he's a very good dancer. Gotta have fun.

I will now turn to my colleague, Senator Wahab, to introduce the next honoree.

Thank you. All right, we just honored Fang La, who's our county assessor in my district as well. And now we have. Doctor Dan V. Lee is our next honoree. Doctor Lee is an associate Professor in the Department of Political Science at CSU East Bay.

A child of refugees, Doctor Lee was born and raised in Little Saigon, Orange County, California. But she is a true East Bayer, where she was inspired by the political activity and activism of the Vietnamese Americans. A first generation college graduate, she earned her doctorate at UC Irvine and centers her work around community inclusion and empowerment.

Her research examines mobilizing communities of color towards political incorporation and appears in several academic journals.

She was one of the first professors to stand up against a very difficult time of, you know, just a couple years ago with anti Asian policies, anti Muslim policies, and she ensured that students could hear their own voice and raise it to people in power in the community.

Doctor Lee has volunteered with organizations including AAPI Women Lead, initiate justice, and the Ella Baker center to uplift communities. Doctor Lee's commitment to her community and her students sets a standard for others to follow. Congratulations, Doctor Lee.

All right, next up we have Patrick Lee. Patrick is an entrepreneur best known for being a co founder and the founding CEO of a website you may have heard of, Rotten Tomatoes, a leading entertainment website focused on movie reviews and news.

He's the co founder and CEO as well of Fanverse, a curated community of the best builders, creators, and talented all around Comic Con fandom. Prior to that, he was co founder and managing partner of PKO Investments, a syndicate of notable investors investing in the next generation of founders at the intersection of tech and entertainment.

He's an active advisor to a number of startups and also mentored and or supported programs at 500 startups, so's V. Berkeley, Skydeck, Blue startups, founder Institute, and more. Let's give a big hand a lot of tomatoes for Patrick. Congratulations. Our next honoree is Francis Lujan.

Fran is my honoree and is the first indigenous person of the Mariana Islands from the island of Guam to hold the position of museum Director in the continental United States. She's the guardian of the Pacific island's beloved ancestral pieces at California's Pacific Island Ethnic Art Museum.

Her practice of care is rooted in re indigenization, radical joy, and intergenerational curation. That's a cool phrase. She holds space to illuminate the multiplicities of Pacific Islander artists and cultural practitioners presence and practices in routes and in routes. As a recipient of the Ernest M. Pon Award from the Association of Ethnic Studies, Fran is recognized as an Asian American and Pacific Islander who is dedicated to human rights and equal justice among native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander communities.

She's lovingly referred to as anti Fran, and we talk a lot in the Aanhpi communities about our cohesion, but really too often it's about the AA and not enough about the NH or PI. And so it really is, I think, an honor to be able to introduce Auntie Fran here. Congratulations, Fran.

Our next honoree may be familiar to many of the Bay Area folks here. Raj Mathai is a 12 time Emmy award winner and weeknight news anchor for NBC Bay Area, anchoring the nightly 05:30 p.m. 06:00 p.m. 07:00 p.m. And 11:00 p.m. News quite a lot. Additionally, he was among the Bay Area's most well known journalists.

In 1995, Raj became the country's first Indian sportscaster. Prior to his career in television, he served as a public relations assistant for the San Diego Chargers for five seasons.

He and his family contribute to various Bay Area charities, and Raj currently serves on the Board of Governors for the San Francisco Symphony and the board of directors for the Asian Pacific Fund. Congratulations, Raj.

All right. All right. The next honoree is also familiar to many of us here because we've had the pleasure of dining at his restaurant, probably the hardest reservation to get in town. Billy Engo, chef.

Billy is the founder, chef and partner of crew, contemporary Japanese cuisine, fish faced poke bar, healthy hounds kitchen and kodaiko ramen and bar in Sacramento. Billy was born in a refugee camp in Hong Kong and moved to Sacramento when he was eight months old. Since then, he's obviously made tremendous strides in the world of food and wine.

He's a featured chef at Pebble Beach Food and Wine and Los Angeles food and wine. And in addition, he's made several television appearances on popular culinary shows, including glutton for punishment, man fire food, cutthroat kitchen and chopped.

This year, Billy was named a finalist for the prestigious James Beard awards category, best chef, California, with the results, I guess, being announced on June 10. Congratulations, Billy.

Next up, we have Teresita Santiago. Born and raised in the Philippines, Tess migrated to the US in 1965 at the age of 14. She's the first female mayor in the history of Delano and the first female mayor of Filipino ancestry in the United States.

She served as mayor for two years and also served as City Council Member for the City of Delano for six years. For her service and leadership roles in various boards and organizations, she was named a recipient of the 1994 Legislative Woman of the year award. Congratulations Teresita. Our next honoree is Greg Serres.

Greg received his PhD in modern thought and literature from Stanford University, where he is awarded the Walter Gore Award for excellence in teaching. He is now serving his 16th consecutive elected term as Chairman of the Federated Indians of Grayton Rancheria.

In addition to serving as Chairman of his tribe, he serves as President of the tribe's economic development Board, and in June 2023, he was appointed by Governor Newsom to the University of California's Board of Regents.

Greg has published several books, including Grand Avenue, an award winning collection of short stories which he adapted for an HBO mini series and co Executive produced with Robert Redford. This past April, he released his newest publication, the Forgetters. Accepting on his behalf today is Phil Pangelina. Congratulations Greg, and thank you, Phil.

Okay, we're nearing the end here, guys. I promise. Our next honoree is Kim Tivaglioni. Kim was born in Seoul, South Korea to a Us military man and a South Korean woman. As a first generation student, Kim attended City College of San Francisco and later graduated from San Francisco State University.

Kim became involved in the labor movement in 2002 when she joined the staff of SEIU 250 as a union representative. She moved on to later become the community and political Director at NUHW. During this time, Kim served as an Executive Committee Member of the San Francisco Labor Council for nearly a decade.

She joined the council as campaign Director in September of 2018 and in 2020 assumed the role of Executive Director, becoming the first woman to lead the San Francisco Labor Council. Congratulations to Kim in accepting the award on her behalf. Is Shubhangi Democratic. Okay, the next honoree is Gold House.

That's not the name of a person, but rather a leading cultural ecosystem to unite, invest in, and champion Asian Pacific creators and companies to power tomorrow for all. Their innovative programs and platforms include membership systems and events to fortify relationships among the Asian American and Pacific Islander community as well as with other marginalized communities.

First of its kind investment vehicles and accelerators are created by them to propel the next generation of top API founders, creatives and leaders, as well as industry leading, research, consulting and marketing to promote authentic and affirming portrayals.

Congratulations to Gold House here to accept the honor on their behalf as Gold House Executive Director, COO and co founder Jeremy Tran.

Congratulations to all the honorees. We want to invite all the Members of the Senate to join in a photograph at the back. We'll take a pause. zero, there's one more.

Finally, we have Alan Nisio. The late Alan Nisio. Alan was a dedicated and respected leader in the Southern California Asian and Pacific Islander community who had spent more than five decades working with multiple generations in social and civic engagement programs.

He served as the President of the board of directors for the Little Tokyo Service center, the leading API Community Development Corporation in the region for over 12 years, and he also served as an LTSC board Member for over 36 years.

In recognition of his work, Alan was awarded the Order of the Rising sun or Kunsho award from the Japanese government in recognition of his work in the Japanese American community and efforts to strengthen relationships between Japan and the United States. Congratulations to Alan and his family.

Okay, I think that concludes that part of the ceremony. We want to invite all the AAPI caucus Members to first join a picture with the honorees, and then we'll invite Members of the Senate to also participate if they would like.

Okay, so let's invite now if the honorees can remain there, invite Members of the Senate to also join. We'll take a short pause. Members, we are going to invite Senator Minh for some closing comments. Members, let's give Senator Min your attention, please. Senator Minh, thank you.

In honor of AAPI Heritage Month, we've given you some small gifts. You have mementos on your desk in support of our AAPI museums. We have from the Asian Art Museum a ceramic dragon design bowl with built in chopsticks, cool stuff.

Complimenting today's floor ceremony, we also want to call to your attention the banners hanging from the second floor of the Rotunda to further amplify the achievements of our honorees. These banners will be displayed for the entire week for Members, staff and visitors to see. Finally tonight at 08:00 p.m.

The dome of the Capitol will be lit gold in recognition of Asian American and Pacific Islander heritage month, honoring the achievements of our honorees and all of the APIs throughout the state. Thank you all for celebrating AAPI heritage Month and our 2024 honorees.

Thank you, Senator, Minn. Thank you to your caucus Members as well for organizing the wonderful ceremony on our floor today. Members, we're going to continue with privileges of the floor, we have a presentation by Senator Allen and Senator Durazzo. We're going to first begin with Senator Allen at the majority leader's desk. Please give him your attention Members.

Well, thank you so much Mister President. It's a real honor this afternoon to welcome to our Senate chamber an iconic californian, the award winning actor, producer, Director and dedicated humanitarian, Edward James Olmos.

A native son of the Golden State, Mister Olmos was born in 1947 to Mexican immigrant parents Pedro Olmos and Eleanor Huizar, and he was raised in East LA, in Boyle Heights.

Following his childhood in Montebello, he went on to earn a degree in sociology and criminal justice from East La College in 1966, which was right around the time that he began to develop an interesting acting in theater and film.

After many numerous smaller stage appearances, Mister Olmos received his big break when he was cast as El Pachuco in Luis Valdez's great groundbreaking play Zoot Suit, which premiered in the Mark Taper Forum in LA in 1978.

Originally scheduled for just 10 performances, the production drew crowds for a year and a half in downtown before heading east as the very first chicano play on Broadway where Olmos received a Tony nomination.

Mister Olmos was well on his way to becoming the cultural icon that he is today and continued on to compliment his theater accolades with success in television and film.

From his iconic role of course in stand and deliver, portraying high school teacher Jaime Escalante, his Emmy winning role in the TV series Miami Vice, his popular role starring as William Adama in Battlestar Galactica, to his most more recent turn in Mayans Mc as Felipe Reyes.

Each role taken on by Mister Olmos is elevated by the talent, nuance and emotional truth that he brings.

And I just found out today that that stand and deliver is apparently the most screened film in American history within the United States because it's been screened so many times within classrooms, which is a pretty extraordinary thing given more than gone with a wind, more than Star wars as it's shown in every single class, sometimes several times.

I think partly the teachers are giving themselves inspiration, but we've all seen it and we've all been so inspired by that wonderful film.

Alongside though his venerable five decade career as a decorated actor, Mister Olmos is just as well known for his deep commitment to humanitarian efforts and his years of work fostering opportunities and cultural representation both on and off screen.

Throughout his career, Mister Olmos has always chosen to leverage his talent, his experience and his personal success to benefit his community and lift up the lives of those around him.

His heart for his hometown community was put on display in the days following the riots, the uprisings of 1992 in Los Angeles, when Mister Olmos sparked a spontaneous movement of unity and restoration, all with just a broom.

When he realized that he couldn't break through to the people in the streets through TV or radio, he took it upon himself to start cleaning up the city that he loved.

And while he started sweeping with only a few friends, they were then joined by neighbors and fellow enchillinos, until there were thousands of people in the streets working to put their city back together again in 1998.

Several years later, seeing a lack of representation in the media from Latino voices and perspectives, Mister Olmos founded the nonprofit Latino Public Broadcasting. They now play a vital role in amplifying Latino voices and issues through programs and financial support of media projects, nurturing them from development all the way through distribution.

And because one major nonprofit isn't enough on his plate, he also established the Latino Film Institute, LFI, with its flagship event that so many of you may be familiar with. El Sanris Latino International Film Festival, which provides a pipeline, a platform, and a launching pad for diverse Latino storytelling, as everyone deserves to have their stories told.

Now, these programs wouldn't be possible today, wouldn't be possible without the wonderful folks leading those organizations day to day, many of whom were actually here joining us in the gallery. They're all filming, of course, because they're film people. Thanks. Very special thanks to Bonnie Garcia, Axel Caballero, Jaime Rodriguez, Lorraine Valverde, Eddie Larios, my good friend.

We used to work together at Zeb's Yaroslavski's office a long time ago, the countless others involved. Since my first days in the Senate, along with many of you, I've served on the Joint Committee of the Arts, and we've had hearings to address arts education issues.

And we acknowledge that we've been failing to deliver arts education equitably throughout the state, understanding that exposure to the arts has such a vital impact on students development and educational success. In fact, we know that a strong arts education is oftentimes the most important factor in determining whether a student will drop out or not.

Because it's a way to connect to a student who might be disconnected from the traditional curriculum. And it tells that kid, hey, I can be good at school. I am connecting to the curriculum, and it's so important. And so it's one of the many reasons why I wanted to honor Mister Olmos here today with you.

Recently, I had the pleasure of spending a day with him. We attended an education event together and software. I got to see firsthand his devotion to creating positive paths for every student. The LFI, among the many programs that it conducts, devoted to educational enrichment, advancement, innovation, and empowerment of emerging talent.

The program, I think, that they're most proud of, and I think they'll tell you the same if you talk to them, is the Youth Cinema Project, which really focuses on student trajectories. It's an arts education and entertainment industry workforce pipeline.

It's making a tangible difference on campuses and in the lives of creative young people by sparking hopes, dreams, and real opportunities for youth in title one schools all up and down the state.

And it brings practitioners from Hollywood and filmmaking right into our schools to work with the students and inspire them and get them excited and actually teach them the skills associated with successful career paths.

And the leaders from the program, from this youth cinema project, have participated in one of our recent arts hearings to share the benefits that administrators, teachers, and students are realizing when they bring their program onto campus. And we're very privileged today to have some of those teachers and superintendents in attendance today.

Doctor Raul Maldonado, Sandy McCulik, and Doctor Alfonso Jimenez. And right here on the floor, incredible teacher Rebecca Coelila, who's here from Jefferson unified. And we just wanted to honor her by bringing her to the floor today.

So this is a special opportunity for us to present a Senate resolution to someone who's made such a difference in the lives of so many young people. We want to celebrate Mister Olmos lifetime of achievement, altruism, his dedication to community, and to all of us.

And we want to recognize the countless lives that have been changed for the better thanks to his incredible work and all the folks that work with him, including all those here in the gallery today. Members, after this session, I want to just invite you and your staffs.

You're very welcome to join me in our Senate Capitol, room 115, upon adjournment of today's session, with a reception to honor Mister Olmos and all the special guests that are here from the Latino Film Institute and the Youth Cinema Project. Please join.

I know that my colleague, Senator De Rossa, has some words to share with us, but I really want to thank you for joining me today in expressing our gratitude and welcoming to our Senate Floor the incomparable Edward James Olmos.

Thank you, Senator. We're going to turn now to Senator Durazo for comments as well.

Thank you. I want to thank the Senator from Santa Monica very much for doing this. It's way past due and I'm so privileged to be able to say a few words about Edward James Olmos. Let me tell you the story of one of the many, many lives that you have changed.

It's pretty very personal to me, obviously, while in the 8th grade, my grandson got connected to the youth cinema project and that has completely changed his life in only a few years. The film class was taught in the 8th grade.

He got connected and from then on has been just so devoted to this career that I am just in awe. The experience gave him the confidence to apply and get selected at the La County School of the Arts, a very important part of his life.

Then he became an alumni and continued on at the high school level as the only freshman in that particular group of youth. It gave him a real chance, not around the edges, but to actually get inside the industry. As part of the Youth cinema project, he learned what it takes to make a movie.

And as the Senator said, everything from the script to the filming to the editing to the completion. And he's learned. Not learned, completely learned, but he's been exposed to all aspects of making a film. The one on one mentors is what he has loved the most. He actually got assigned a Prop master.

That mentor took him as, took him to Universal Studios, where he was exposed to the props and then was able to pick the props for the film. Now this film later this month, in a few weeks, his groups will be shown on a quote unquote red carpet.

Imagine the feeling that he is going to experience of going through a red. On a red carpet. And so today, Seneca is attending the high school and is one of the many, many lives that you have changed. And I want to personally thank you very much for what you have devoted to our community.

Thank you, Senator Durazzo, Senator Archuleta.

Thank you, Mister President. I'd like to share a couple of things that most people don't know about our honoree today. The fact that if you can keep a friend for a lifetime, you must be someone special. Well, Jay Nomura, his best friend, Japanese American. Here we have the Japanese American and Mexican American.

Growing up since the third grade, I believe they became friends and that friendship to this day has continued. They've been business partners, they work together. Anytime you're in Whittier, Montebello, Pico Rivera, anywhere you see James and you see Jane Moore. So I want to tell you that Montebello loves you. We're so proud of you.

And the entire Latino community says to all of you, every time you get home, welcome home. You've certainly made us proud. Go get them. Thank you.

We'd like to now invite Senators to join the photograph in the back. Okay, Members, let's get a little order here, and we can move on with our business on the floor. All right. Congratulations again, Members. I want to note that Senator Archuleta has some guests here in the gallery.

Let's welcome Mary sue and graduate students from the University of Southern California. Please welcome to the Senate. Okay, we're going to continue with our order of business here on the floor. Messages from the Governor will be deemed read. Messages from the Assembly. Secretary, please read.

Mister President, I am directed to inform your honorable body that the Assembly amended and on this day passed as amended Senate Bill and respectfully request your honorable body to concur and set amendments. Sue Parker, chief Clerk of the Assembly. Thank you.

The desk will note. Reports of Committee will be deemed read and amendments adopted. We're going to move next to motions, resolutions, and notices. Members, without objection, the Senate Journal for May 62024 through May 92024 will be approved as corrected by the minute Clerk, Senator Portantino.

Thank you, Mister President. Under motions and resolutions, I request unanimous consent to return SB 427 to the Assembly for further action.

So noted. Thank you, Members. The following Bill is referred to the Committee on Rules. Senate Bill 233. Pursuant to Senate rule 29.10 D. We're going to move next to consideration of the daily file, second reading. Secretary, please read.

Senate Bill 1075.

All right, we're going to move next to third reading. Members. We have seven Members. Seven. Seven measures on the agenda. Let me note there's support on both sides. We're going to begin first with file item 38. File item 38 is Senate Bill 1313.

Secretary, please read Senate Bill 1313 by Senator Ashby. And accrediting to vehicles.

Senator Ashby, the floor is yours.

Thank you, Mister President. I rise to present SB 1313, the Safe Roads Act. SB 1313 addresses the misuse of safety technology in vehicles, particularly with driving assistance and monitoring systems. Advanced driving assistance systems are becoming increasingly common in motor vehicles. They alert drivers of dangerous lane departures, lane centering, and, if possible, obstacles in the road.

Unfortunately, drivers are circumventing these safety systems by using aftermarket and homemade devices designed to simulate driver's hands on the wheel. By applying pressure. SB 1313 prohibits individuals from using and purchasing devices designed to interfere with the vehicle safety monitoring system. I respectfully ask for your aye vote.

Thank you, Senator Ashby, any further discussion on this matter? Any further discussion? This measure is eligible for unanimous roll call, seeing no objection. Hold on. All right, seeing no objections. Ayes 36, no, zero. The measure is adopted. Members, we're going to move next to file item 43, followed by file item 4859-6173 and 85.

File item 43 is Senate Bill 1278 by Senator Laird. Secretary, please read.

Senate Bill 1278 by Senator Laird, an act relating to health.

Senator Laird.

Thank you very much, Mister President. Senate Bill 1278 will direct the Governor to annually declare December 1st as World AIDS Day in California. It's been observed internationally since 1988. In 2022, there's over 142,000 Californians living with an HIV infection, according to the Department of Health.

When I was the founder and Executive Director of an AIDS agency in the 1980s and then 1990s, it was our job to keep people alive. We have done that. Now it's our job to educate people and keep infections from happening. It would be an annual platform for this discussion. I would respectfully ask for an aye vote.

Thank you, Senator Laird. Any discussion on this measure? Any discussion? Seeing none. This measure is eligible for a unanimous roll call. Without objections, ayes 36, noes zero. The measure is adopted. Next up is file item 48. This is SCR 104 by Senator Nguyen.

Secretary, please read Senate Concurrent Resolution 104 by Senator Nguyen relative to older Americans month. Senator Nguyen, the floor is yours.

Thank you, Mister President. I rise to present SCR 104, which declares the month of May 2024 as older Americans monthly older Americans month celebrates the lives and continued contribution of older Americans and senior citizens. Growth projections for the older adult population in the United States have affectionately referred to as the incoming silver tsunami.

California is home to over 39 million people, and around 6 million are considered older adults or senior citizens. Recent estimates show that that number will continue to grow at a rate that outpaces the rest of their country.

By 2030, in Orange County alone, older Americans will account for 30% of our population, and by 2050, older Americans will account for around 10 million Californians. While society's attitudes, perceptions of older Americans and senior citizens have changed, there's still much to be done among raising awareness and understand this population.

Today, many older adults fulfill many necessary, important roles and continue to be one of our greatest resources asset.

This resolution recognizes May 2024 as older American month and encourage all Californians to recognize and treat all older American adults and senior citizens with compassion, respect, encourage them to participate in activities and that contribute to their health, welfare, and happiness. On behalf of our state's older adults and senior citizens, I respectfully ask for an aye vote.

Thank you, Senator Nguyen. Senator Wahab, thank you.

I rise in support of SCR 104. Older Americans month. The rise of cost of living across the state and nation is having a profound impact on aging adults. Seniors are the fastest growing homeless population. Their challenges seeking and affording medical care are increased by their housing instability.

It's imperative we Fund our social safety nets and increase in affordable housing, as well as methods to maintain housing affordability and housing stability. It's not only a matter of dignity, but economics. Keeping people housed creates less pressure on all of our systems and promotes health and wellness.

As we honor older Americans today, I ask you all to consider how you are actively supporting policies that will ensure their dignity, health and housing. I respectfully ask for an aye.

Thank you. Any further discussion, Members seeing none. Senator Nguyen, you may close.

I just respectfully ask for an aye vote.

Thank you. This is eligible for unanimous roll call. Any objection? Scene none. Eyes 36, no, zero on the resolution. We're going to move next to file item 59. This is SB 1352 by Senator Wahop.

Secretary, please read Senate Bill 1352 by Senator Wahab Enac relating to continuing care retirement communities. Senator Wahab?

Thank you, colleagues and Members of the public. I rise to present SB 1352, which is about protecting civil rights in continuing care communities. Many residents of these communities remain unaware of their rights and feel uncertain about asserting them. Residential care facilities for the elderly is the umbrella under which continuing care retirement communities are licensed.

Residential care facilities for the elderly have an expansive and protective Bill of rights. However, existing law only requires residents receive a copy of the more narrow continuing care retirement communities Bill of Rights when signing a contract.

SB 1352 simply requires continuing care retirement communities to also provide a copy of the residential care facilities for the elderly Bill of Rights upon signing their contract. This will fortify resident rights, promote inclusivity, ensure equal treatment for all, and increase resident self advocacy. I respectfully ask for an aye vote.

Members, any further discussion on the on the measure? Any further discussion? This is eligible for a unanimous roll call without objections. I's 36 knows zero on the measure. We'll move next to file item 61 by Senator Becker.

Secretary, please read.

Senate Bill 1395 by Senator Becker an act relating to housing.

Senator Becker.

Thank you, Members. We all know here about the homelessness crisis in California, but we don't always know. Is something that's unique to California is that 67% of our homeless population is unsheltered. 67% nationally, that number is 20%. In a state like New York, it's 5%. And it's also increasingly dangerous to be unsheltered and be homeless.

Journal of Health affairs just came up with a study, the mortality rate has tripled over the last 10 years. What this Bill will do, 1395, the Interim Housing act, is create that bridge, create that missing rung on the ladder between being unsheltered and permanent housing.

With this, I believe that we can create more Low cost housing, oftentimes on government land, and get people off the streets, into stability, into one address within its services, and into jobs. I respectfully ask for an aye vote.

Thank you, Senator Becker. Any discussion on this matter? Any further debate? C nine is eligible for unanimous roll call. Without objection, eyes 3600 on the measure. We're going to move next to file item 73. This is SB 981 by Senator Wahab.

Secretary, please read Senate Bill 981 by Senator Wahab and accurately into social media platforms. Senator Wahab, thank you.

President and colleagues, I rise to present SB 981, the Digital Identity Theft act. Identity theft is often associated to fraud. There are some laws in place for credit card theft and financial violations of innocent people, but we need to move forward with 21st century crimes.

SB 981 defines digital identity theft as the unauthorized distribution of digitized Bypjca, sexually explicit images or videos posted without the depicted person's consent. Upon reporting, the identified content would be temporarily blocked and the social media platform would have 14 days to determine if the content is digital identity theft.

If the reported content is confirmed to be digital identity theft, social media platforms are required to permanently block it from public view. Digital identity theft, particularly involving sexually explicit content, causes significant harm, including reputational damage and mental health issues.

The recent case of digitally manipulated, sexually explicit videos of Taylor Swift highlights the nature of these issues, and it needs to be addressed. Victims, especially non celebrities, lack resources to defend themselves from these types of sexually violent crimes.

This is especially problematic for minors that are on social media and engage throughout the day with potentially harmful content being shared. SB 981 provides crucial protection, particularly for young women who are disproportionately targeted by unauthorized digitized, sexually explicit images, offering them a shield against exploitation and harm. I respectfully ask for Nye.

Thank you, Senator Wahab. Any further discussion on this measure? Any further discussion? C nine is eligible for unanimous roll call without objection. Ayes 3600. The measure is adopted. We're going to move finally to our last item on the docket today. File item 85. This is Senate Bill 1451 by Senator Ashby.

Secretary, please read Senate Bill 1451 by Senator Ashby. Enact relating to professions and vocations. Senator Ashby.

Thank you, Mister President. I rise today on behalf of SB 1451, which is the annual business and Professions Code omnibus Bill that makes various changes to the practice acts of a number of programs. These programs have all recently been subject to the Committee's sun site review oversight process.

This Bill specifically contains provisions that empower female dominant health professions to safely and successfully increase access to care for California patients. We have and will continue to work with the California Dental Association, California Dental Hygienist Association, and various other licensed professionals to ensure access to care for all of Californians. I respectfully request and I vote.

Thank you, Senator Ashby. Any further discussion on this measure? Any further discussion? This is eligible for unanimous roll call. Without objection, I's 3600 the measure carries. Members, we're going to return now to, we're going to move to motions and resolutions. This is the opportunity for adjourning memories. We have two Members who want to ask for that request.

Senator Umberg and Senator Rubio will begin with. Senator Umberg, please give him your attention. Members. Senator Jones, please give Senator Umberg your attention. Senator Umberg the floor is yours.

Thank you, Mister President and colleagues. I rise to honor the life and the memory of Don Blankenship, who passed away last week. Many of you know Don for his years of service in law enforcement in Southern California. He was a dear friend of mine and many others.

Don was born in Long beach to Floyd Robert Blankenship and Mary Ida Rapper. He attended St. Anthony's Catholic School where he met the love of his life, Jan Rogers. They were married shortly after high school and shared 53 years of marriage.

Don attended Long Beach State and earned a degree in criminal justice while serving in the Air Force.

He began his career in law enforcement at Los Alamitos Police Department and later transferred to the Santa Ana Police Department where he served from 1975 to 1999, where he would retire from Santa Ana Police Department as a sergeant and President of the Santa Ana Police Officers Association.

He then became the chief of the Bureau of Investigation at the Orange County District Attorney's office. Until his retirement in 2009, Don had a passion for honoring his fallen brothers and sisters in law enforcement who died in the line of duty. He served as the California Peace Officers Memorial foundation second President.

During his more than 20 years of dedicated service to the foundation. He dedicated his life to the protection and service of all of us. He was a proud Member of Santiago De Copostela Catholic Church in Light Lake Forest, was a fourth degree Member of the Knights of Columbus.

He enjoyed spending time with his family, traveling the world, working out. He worked out almost every day, Notre Dame football, volunteering at church, spending time in his backyard with his friends, and he loved all dogs. He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, loyal friend to all who knew him. He'll be dearly missed.

Those of us who knew him can and will forever remember the sound of his voice and the sound of his laughter, as well as Jan, his wife's. The sound of her voice that resonates, resonates with all who knew him. He is predeceased by his mother and his father and is sadly, his wife, Jan, predeceases him.

She died just a few years ago. He survived by his children, Carrie Lee Plush, husband, James Plush, Stacy Lynn Perseck, husband, Matthew Persek, Donald Wayne Blankenship, his wife, Tiffany Blankenship, and his four grandchildren, who he was immensely proud of. Julia James, Madeline Marie Mason, Robert and Lily Grace.

I ask that we adjourn the State Senate in his memory today.

Thank you. Thank you, Senator Umberg. The Senate extends its condolences to the blankenship family and many friends. Please bring his name forward so he can be properly memorialized in the Senate Journal and that we may adjourn in his memory next. Like to recognize Senator Rubio.

Thank you, Mister President. Ladies and gentlemen of the Senate, today I rise with great sadness to adjourn in the memory of Monty Montenegro from Baldwin park.

Born Umberto Montenegro, to his father, Jesus, and mother, Carmen, on Catalina Island in the City of Avalon on March 20th, 1929 his father was part of the workforce that built the iconic casino in Avalon. Monti went to a military high school where he participated in the drum and Bugle Corps, where he played in the marching band.

In the last few years of his life, Monty enjoyed playing a snare drum on his patio. After high school, he met the love of his life, Anna. He promised to marry Anna, but with one condition, something that he needed to do first. He enlisted in the Marine Corp.

And went off to fight for his country, serving his four years with tourists in Korea, North Africa, and Morocco, and finishing up in Brooklyn, New York. Monti was a proud marine, and I often refer to him as my favorite marine. He wore the uniform with pride, and I've never seen him fight as hard as he did.

When he was fighting to erect a monument to honor all the veterans in our community, he got support from private and public dollars, and he was able to complete it. He always stood proud and saluted his veteran heroes. He wore his uniform with honor and had great respect for all those that served this country.

Monty embodied the words honor, courage, and loyalty. Monty and his beautiful wife Anna, bought their first house in Baldwin park and started their family. It was a family of service. Ana Montenegro served our community as the elected treasurer for over 30 years, and they're currently building a park named after her, which would honor her memory as well.

Monty was a proud father of five, and with the support and encouragement of his wife, Anna, he enrolled in Mount St. Antonio College while simultaneously setting to be an electrical contractor.

In 1965, he started Monty's electric, where he spent 57 years serving our community, and his customers included the City of Baldwin park, parks and Recreation, city yard, and the Police Department. Monti always participated in programs that supported and helped those most disadvantaged.

Monty recruited and trained many of our youth and was proud to see them succeed in the electrical field. Monty believed in his community and his beloved Baldwin park. And at the young age of 93 and a half years old, Monty stopped getting in his service truck and making service calls.

Monty lived a life of service serving his country, his community, his VFW, which he spent days supporting. And anyone who called Monty was there. Senate colleagues, please help me in remembering the life of this incredible man who was a staple in our communities. Monty will be missed. Thank you.

Thank you, Senator Rubio. If Senate extends its condolences to the Montenegro family and many friends, please bring his name forward so he can be properly memorialized in the Senate Journal and that we may adjourn in his memory if there is no other business before the Senate. Senator Grove, the desk is clear.

Thank you, Mister President. Good job today, colleagues. Our next floor session is Thursday, 09:00 a.m. May 162024.

The center will be in recess until 03:30 p.m. At which time the adjournment motion will be made. We will reconvene Thursday, May 16, at 09:00 a.m.