Assembly Floor

[Roll Call] Mr. Speaker.

Members, quorum is present. We ask our guests and visitors in the rear of the Chamber and in the Gallery to please stand for the prayer. Today's prayer will be offered by Assembly Member Wilson. Assembly Member Wilson.

Creator of the heavens and earth, may you grant us peace at all times and in every way. May you continually go before us, generation after generation, so that it may be well with our soul. We will not be anxious for anything, but in everything, through prayer and supplications, with thanksgiving, we will let our requests be made known to you.

For in you all things were created, things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities. You have created all things through you and for you, and you hold all things together. We pray for everyone in this great state and in the world. We pray especially for those who are in high positions so we may lead a peaceful and quiet life worthy of you and dignified in every way. We uplift those affected by the fires and those who have experienced loss.

For we know when we lose a loved one, we lose our sense of stability. When we lose a home, we lose our sense of place. When we lose a community, we lose our sense of belonging. May those who have faced loss find your peace, comfort, stability, place, and belonging.

Grant us the wisdom and compassion to care for them in meaningful ways. As we gather today to make these decisions on behalf of this state, give each of us a wise and discerning heart. Although the decisions before us may not always be clear, we know that you are not an author of confusion.

So we trust you to guide us on the right path, that we will benefit the people of California as we strive to build a California for everyone. May the light of your presence lead us to truth, justice, liberty, and freedom and our prayers be according to your will and acceptable in your sight. In your power, we pray. Amen.

We ask our guests and visitors to remain standing to join us in the Flag Salute. Assembly Member Dixon will lead us in the pledge.

Please join me in saluting the flag of our greatest country. I pledge allegiance...

You may be seated. To our guests and visitors today, state law prohibits persons in the Gallery from from interfering with legislative proceedings or disrupting the orderly conduct of official business. People disrupting legislative proceedings are subject to removal, arrest, or other appropriate legal remedies. Reading of the previous day's Journal.

Assembly Chamber, Sacramento, Monday, January 6, 2025. The Assembly met at 1pm. The Honorable Josh Lowenthal, Speaker pro Tempore. The Assembly presiding...

Mr. Garcia moves, and Mr. Flora seconds, that the reading of the previous day's Journal be dispensed with. Presentations and petitions. There are none. Introductions and reference of bills will be deferred. Reports of committees will be deemed read and amendments deemed adopted. Messages from the governor? There are none. Messages from the Senate? There are none.

Moving to motions and resolutions. The absences for the day will be deemed read and printed in the Journal. Majority Leader Aguiar-Curry, you are recognized for your procedural motions.

Good afternoon. I request unanimous consent to suspend Assembly Rule 45.5 to allow Assembly Member Addis to speak on an adjournment in memory today.

Without objection.

I request unanimous consent to suspend Assembly Rule 118A to allow Assembly Members Addis and Muratsuchi to have guests in the rear of the Chamber today.

Without objection.

I request unanimous consent to order ACR 7, Bryan, and ACR 9, Pellerin, to the second reading file.

Without objection, such shall be the order. We're now moving on to guest introductions. Assembly Member Muratsuchi, you are recognized for your guest introduction.

Thank you very much. Members, we have some California Teachers of the Year from throughout the state joining us on the Assembly floor today. Let me introduce five of this year's California Teachers of the Year.

First, we have in the back of the floor, Kristen LoPrell, a high school math and AP calculus teacher from Grossmont High School from the Grossmont Union High School District in San Diego County. Next, we have Robert Mauger, a high school CTE automotive teacher from Corona High School in the Corona-Norco Unified School District.

Following is Nicholas Westfall, a high school PE Teacher from Hamilton High School, LAUSD. Next, Arby Jean Wolkov, a high school American Sign Language teacher from Howard Taft Charter High School in the LA Unified School District.

And last but certainly not least, Matthew Winheim, a middle school STEM aviation teacher from the Space Aeronautics Gateway to Exploration Magnet Academy, Palmdale Unified. And a note for Mr. Winheim. He is Superintendent Thurmond's nominee as California's representative this year for the National Teacher of the Year competition.

Mr. Winheim will be representing California, competing against other state nominees to be the 2025 National Teacher of the Year. Guiding this delegation is Greg Gardiner, 2018 California Teacher of the Year, and Florence Avognon, 2012 awardee. Please join me in honoring all of these great teachers.

Welcome to the California Assembly. We are so grateful and so proud to have you here today.

Thank you teachers, and thank you Members. We are moving on to the business on the Daily File. File item 1, ACR 10, by Assembly Member Mark González. The Clerk will read.

Assembly Concurrent Resolution 10 by Assembly Member Mark González and others, relative to Korean American Day.

Assembly Member González, you are recognized.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker and Members. This is my first presentation, so shhh. I rise to present ACR 10, which recognizes today, January 13, 2025, as Korean American Day. This day commemorates the 122nd anniversary of the first first large wave of Korean immigrants to the United States and honors the significant contributions of Korean Americans to the cultural, economic, and social fabric of California and our own Golden State.

From business to music to the foods we eat and beyond, Korean Americans have greatly enriched American culture and, of course, our society. I have the utmost honor of representing the largest Korean community in the United States. Last year I had the opportunity to visit South Korea and was not only amazed by the technological advancements, but the important role our State and Assembly District 54 plays in the liberation of the Korean Peninsula during World War II.

One of the most important Korean freedom fighters, Dosan Ahn Chang Ho, once called Assembly District 54 home, and the Ahn family's house is preserved on the campus of USC in recognition of its historical value. Mr. Speaker, permission to use a Prop?

Without objection.

This past October, I had the honor of rededicating the 110 and the 10 freeway in Downtown Los Angeles as the Dosan Ahn Chang Ho Memorial Interchange with Members of the Korean American community. The Republic of Korea is one of the most important trading partners with the State of California, and the Korean American community continues to thrive and make significant contributions to our economy.

Members, I cannot express that I'm deeply honored. I'm immensely honored, proud to represent the largest Korean and Korean American population outside of Seoul, South Korea. At the appropriate time, I respectfully request an aye vote and ask the first roll call be open for co-authors. We did it. All right.

Thank you, Assembly Member González. Assembly Member Fong, you are recognized.

Good afternoon, Speaker and Members. Thank you so much to my colleague from Los Angeles for bringing this resolution forward. As chair of the AAPI Legislative Caucus, it is my honor to stand in support of ACR 10 recognizing January 13th as Korean American Day.

Today, Korean Americans number over 2 million nationwide, with significant populations in Los Angeles and Orange Counties. Contributions of Korean Americans span across all sectors from finance, technology, medicine, education, arts, public service, and more. And many of you, I'm sure, enjoy the influence of Hallyu, Korean cultural exports like K-pop and K-drama, that enrich American society.

Since the first arrival on January 13, 1903 Korean Americans have overcome language, economic, and social barriers. These pioneers have laid the foundation for the vibrant Korean American community we know today. As we look ahead, it's continue to vital to instill in younger generations a deep sense of pride in their heritage and the values passed down by their forefathers. Let us celebrate the journey of Korean Americans and commit to a future where all cultures are respected and valued in our diverse state. I respectfully ask for an aye vote.

Thank you, Assembly Member Fong. Assembly Member Quirk-Silva, you are recognized.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker and Members. I rise today in support of ACR 10, which observes January 13th as Korean American Day. And I would like to thank my colleague from Los Angeles for introducing this bill. As a Member who represents a significant Korean American community in my district, which includes North Orange County and parts of Los Angeles, it's my honor and privilege to present this resolution today. Fullerton, where I live, is also home to the first Korean War Memorial.

In 1903, 102 courageous Korean men, women, and children landed in Hawaii after venturing across the vast Pacific Ocean aboard the SS Gaelic. Despite social, economic, and language barriers of unforeseen magnitude, they never wavered in the pursuit of the American Dream.

Today, we reflect on the sacrifices made by those brave immigrants who traveled so far from home and celebrate the contributions and success of the Korean American community. The story of Korean Americans is one of triumph against adversity. This is the same story that many other immigrant communities have faced.

First generation Korean American immigrants established a new home through resilience and immense sacrifice, becoming the foundation for future generations of Korean Americans. Despite racial discrimination and adversity that the first immigrants faced, they endured in building a new home for themselves.

If you visit my district, which includes Buena Park and Fullerton, Artesia, Cypress, La Palma, you will see thriving Korean American businesses. You will see many, many places that they call home, and their contributions are immense. With that, I respectfully ask for an aye vote.

Thank you. Assembly Member Quirk-Silva. Seeing and hearing no further debate, Assembly Member González has asked for the role to be open for co-authors. Clerk will open the roll for co-authors, please. All Members vote who desire to vote. All Members vote who desire to vote. Members, this is for co-authors. All Members vote who desire to vote.

Clerk will close the roll and tally the votes. Ayes 67. Noes zero. Without objection, there are 67 co-authors added. Without objection, we will take a voice vote on the resolution. All those in favor say aye. Opposed, say nay. The ayes have it. The resolution is adopted. Members, we are moving on to adjournments in memory.

The quorum call is still in place. We ask that you take your seats. Please give your respectful attention to those who are granted prior permission to speak on their adjournment in memory. Please take your conversations off the floor. Members, please take your conversations off the floor. Assembly Member Addis, you are recognized for your adjournment in memory.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker and members. It is with overwhelming sadness today that I ask to adjourn in memory of my sister-in-law, Leanne Dorrin Lyons, loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister, daughter, friend, and leader to so many. Leanne recently passed away after a heroic battle with pancreatic cancer. She was 58 years and 25 days old.

Leanne's journey was marked by resilience, devotion, and a heart that embraced all of those around her. The last 22 years of her career were spent at Fox Chase Cancer Center, where she rose to leadership and was the Administrative Director of the Department of Medicine.

Her colleagues admired not only her dedication and skill, but her kindness and her compassion, all qualities that defined her work. Leanne's battle with pancreatic cancer was met with courage, with grace, and with determination that she brought to all aspects of her life. Leanne's beginning was not easy. At birth, she was given up for adoption.

At nine months old, she found a home in foster care. At three years old, she was adopted by her foster family. But as a teenager, Leanne met the love of her life, my brother-in-law, Billy Lyons. And at a very young age and with very little means, they quickly became the parents of four beautiful children.

Leanne was never deterred by adversity. She faced hardship head-on with strength and determination and a rare self-assuredness that permeated everything that she did. My nephew, Leanne's second son, Jay, said of her, 'our mom had a way of teaching us things. I remember always feeling like she was purposely trying to make my life difficult.'

'And it wasn't until I became an adult and a parent that I realized that she was indeed trying to make my life difficult. She was showing us that we were capable of so much more than we thought we were.'

And in the words of my nephew Zach, Leanne's youngest child, 'Leanne was the archetype of what every mom should be.' At her services, he said, 'you are my mother and I am made from you. You are the foundation of all that I am. You did not offer us material wealth. Instead you gave us eternal wealth.'

When she turned 50, Leanne knew it was time to find her biological family, and she did. She found siblings and aunts and cousins who are here with us today and many, many in-laws, dozens of new hearts here to love and welcome her into our new family.

My sister-in-law, Emily, Leanne's biological sister, described what that was like. She said, 'the blessings went both ways when we found each other. Our family had no idea that we were missing such a huge piece of our hearts. She was everything a big sister should be.' Leanne's life was a testament to love, both given and received. She is survived by her husband of over four decades, William J. Lyons, who is watching us today, with whom she built a life of enduring partnership and devotion.

Together they raised four wonderful children who are also watching from their homes: William J. Lyons Jr. who is married to Ha, Jayfrancis Lyons, married to Jenny, Leigha El Guidie, married to Martin, and Zachary X. Lyons, married to Valerie. But Leanne's greatest joy came from watching her family grow, and she was a proud grandmother to Ronan Francis, Phoenix Kaing, Helanie Ly, Oriana My, Gracie Mei, Inez-Teresa, Harrison Jackson, and Paloma Francesca.

Leanne is predeceased by her beloved grandson, Van William Lyons, whose memory she held close to her heart, and Leanne is also survived by her biological siblings, Emily Webb, who is also watching, and my husband Marcus Jackson, who is watching, as well as her biological and adopted family of siblings, cousins, nieces, nephews, and many of us in-laws who miss her deeply.

I'll end with her son Jay's words on the three lessons that Leanne leaves with all of us. He says, 'true love is real. Family is more important than anything and there is no giving up on the ones that you love.' So Members and Mr. Speaker, I want to say thank you, and I ask that we adjourn today in memory of Leanne Dorrin Lyons.

Thank you, Assembly Member Addis. Members, please bring the names to the desk to be printed in the journal. All requests to adjourn in memory will be deemed read and printed in the journal. Moving on to announcements, session schedule as follows: Tuesday, January 14: check-in session. Wednesday, January 15: check-in session. Thursday, January 16: check-in session.

Friday, January 17: floor session, 9 a.m. Seeing and hearing no further business, I'm ready to entertain a motion to adjourn. Mr. Garcia moves and Mr. Gallagher seconds that this House stands adjourned until Friday, January 17th at 9:00 a.m. The quorum call is lifted and we are adjourned.