Senate Floor

Secretary, please call the roll.

[Roll Call].

A quorum is present. Colleagues, if we can return to our seats and please rise? For our guests behind the railing, please rise. Today, in honor of Black History Month and the Unsung Heroes floor presentation, we'll be led in prayer and Pledge of Allegiance by Senator Richardson. Senator.

Heavenly Father, staff, Senators, and Californians, we all come before You today with a sincere desire to serve the people and to work for our great state. Grant us wisdom, patience, clarity, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and yes, self-control, as we all work with one another to positively make decisions that impact the lives and livelihood of those we represent.

Bless this chamber, this place, where we even hear workers outside laboring even now to restore and renovate this beautiful building that where we work and where many people see as a representation of who we are and what we should do on Your behalf. Remember, it is an honor and a privilege.

Please keep that in our hearts, that we will always remember. It's an honor and a privilege to walk and to work in these hallowed halls. Strengthen us, lead us, guide us to serve California and all Californians. In Your name we pray, Amen. Please join me in the Pledge of Allegiance. [Pledge of Allegiance].

We're going to, for now, skip over the Privileges of the Floor. Messages from the Governor will be deemed read. Messages from the Assembly will be deemed read. Reports of Committee will be deemed read and amendments adopted. Under Motions, Resolutions, and Notices, we have one item. Motion to approve Senate Journals?

Without objection, the Senate Journals for February 18, 2025 through February 20, 2025 will be approved as corrected by the minute clerk. Introduction and First Reading of bills will be deemed read. All right, into consideration of the Daily File. Under Governor's Appointments, we have one item, Item Number One. Senator Grove, please proceed.

Thank you, Madam President. Colleagues, Item Number One is the confirmation of Wenda Fong for reappointment to the Board of Trustees of the California State University. Ms. Fong has served as a trustee since 2018, and from 2022 to 2024, she was the Board's Chair.

She also has a long and distinguished career in the television industry as a producer and host multiple shows. She's an incredible asset to our university system. She was approved at the Rules Committee on a five/zero vote. Respectfully ask for your aye vote.

Thank you, Senator. Mr. Pro Tem, you are recognized.

Thank you so much, Madam President. It is not typical that I stand on Governor Appointments, and I want to take a moment to thank Madam Vice Chair of Rules for her tenacious work on behalf of the committee and of course, the people of California.

Today is special though, because I'm proud to support this appointment of Wenda Fong to continue her esteemed tenure on the Board of Trustees. You know, she takes the CSU mission to heart and is a fighter who works for the future of every California student.

And I also want to be clear: I support today, I support this advancement with a commitment from the Chancellor's Office that the California State University system and the campus at Sonoma State University will be advancing a 30-day comeback plan for the university's campus of Sonoma State. That will have specific metrics attached.

Thirty days ago, Sonoma State advanced the largest layoffs in the California State University system history, $24M in 23 different programs which would decimate the future of this esteemed institution. I'm grateful to Trustee Fong for her willingness to be able to work with us, her continued work.

And I also want to say thank you to the esteemed Senator from West Sacramento. We are a partner in this, I'm grateful for his leadership, and Madam President, if it works for you, I'm going to turn it over to the Senator from West Sacramento to say a few words on this appointment.

Senator Cabaldon, you are recognized.

All right. Thank you, Madam President. And as the representative in the Senate for Sonoma State University, I want to thank the President Pro Tem for his leadership on this work, and I also rise in support of Trustee Fong.

I might not be here if she had had her way because she had recruited me several years ago to join the Trustees because she believes, as I do, that we need substantially more Asian Pacific Islander representation in the boards that govern California higher education.

The Governor at the time had other ideas, and here I am in the Senate instead. But Wenda Fong is one of the state's premier leaders, one of the nation's leaders in representation, not just for Asian Pacific Americans, but for all people in the media. She's been a producer on so many TV shows that you know and love, and she was one of the founders 35 years ago of the mainline organization to advance representation and visibility in the media for API Californians, and she's been a strong trustee.

I spoke with her over the weekend as well, following a hearing that the President Pro Tem and I and members of the Assembly held at Sonoma State for five hours on Friday. She watched the entire hearing, and I am proud to say that she's committed to that 30-day comeback plan.

She understands the needs for, not just for Sonoma State, but for California, for the other institutions of CSU that are struggling with declining enrollment and that we need a transparent, engaged process for that comeback, but for meeting the needs of California and opening up opportunity for adults of all ages, and so I'm proud to join the President Pro Tem in asking for an aye vote on her confirmation.

Seeing no other mics up, Senator Grove, you may close.

Thank you, Madam President. As you can see, Representative Fong is an incredible asset to our university system. Respectfully ask for an aye vote.

Thank you. Secretary, please call the roll.

[Roll Call].

Please call the absent members.

[Roll Call].

Ayes: 37; no: zero. The appointment is confirmed. Members, we have one item under the Senate Third Reading. That's going to be Item Number 20 by Senator Smallwood-Cuevas. She is prepared. Secretary, please read.

Senate Concurrent Resolution 21 by Senator Smallwood-Cuevas, relative to Black History Month.

Senator Smallwood-Cuevas.

Thank you, Madam President.

Senator, give me one second. Colleagues, if you could take your conversations off the floor? Senator Smallwood-Cuevas has the floor now.

Good afternoon. Thank you, Madam President. And good afternoon. Good afternoon. Colleagues. I rise today as a Member of the Legislative Black Caucus to present SCR21, recognizing February as Black History Month. And in 2025, this celebration is really a call to action. Black history in America has always been a history of struggle, a history of resistance, of resilience.

And today, that struggle continues in ways we could not have imagined.

And so, as we think about black history this month, we have to think about it in terms of what does it mean to be free in this country and how incredibly important the example that black Americans have shared is that that comes at the price of bravery.

You cannot be free in America if you are not brave, if you are not courageous. This month really focuses on workers. African Americans in labor.

And certainly from our earliest time in this country, black Americans have shown not only that we were able to build this country, but we also were able to fight for dignity and fairness and justice, not just on the plantation fields, but in our government and in our democracy as a whole.

As a black labor activist and the first woman to chair this body's Labor Committee, that theme had particular resonance for me as we look at and understand the contributions of black workers, even how we came up with Labor Day. Where did Labor Day come from?

Well, it was President Cleveland who signed and recognized that Labor Day would be celebrated in this country because it was the black sleeping car porters who, through their labor of strike and resistance, showed the power of workers. And not just the power of workers, but the dignity of all who work.

And I think that is a lesson that we have to go back to today, is to recognize that we have a long way to go to ensure that black California, that black history, accounts for the struggles that we continue to see as we make up 6% of our state's population.

As black Californians, we are 25% of the impoverished. We are 28% of the prison population. We are 40% of the people who sleep and too often die on our streets in places like South Los Angeles. And these outcomes are not coincidences, but they are predictable. They are a result of systemic disinvestment in our communities.

And it's part of a value and an attitude of lack of courage to say that an injustice to one community is an injustice to all of our communities. And we understand this now more than ever as we see a fascist rise and voice emerge at the highest levels of our government.

We see for the first time a President as attempting to erase Black History Month from Federal Government, barring agencies from observing it and silencing black employees who dare to celebrate their own history.

Make no mistake, this is part of a broader attack on all of our values, not just on black communities, but we see it more prevalent in the black right to vote, in the attacks on voting Rights Act.

We see it more prevalent in teaching black children their history and also ensuring that our community has an opportunity to work fair and just. We talk about this being an employment situation where every worker is employed. But do you know that there's double digit unemployment in black South Central Los Angeles today?

Do you know black workers, particularly black women, represent some of the poorest households because they aren't able to earn a living wage even though they are the primary breadwinners.

So as we talk about black history this year, we have to not just be about celebrating, we have to be about how do we operationalize it for all of us. What does it mean to say that we want to empower all Californians to understand this history of struggle, of courage for justice?

I'm committed to that fight and I know you all are committed in this room as well, ensuring that we are expanding economic opportunities, that we are ensuring our children learn the truth. It not only sets you free, but it also helps you prevent the harms of the past from, from being repeated.

History protects us and black history has protected us all in so many different ways. From the Frederick Douglass fight on abolition to our 2020 Fight of Black Lives Matter. In all of the ways that we came to a reckoning about what was unjust. We cannot go back.

We have to stay committed to leveling this playing field, to making sure that our public dollars are committing, creating fairness and opportunity for all, that we are multiplying equity and not distancing ourselves from it. Our fight is far from over. We must remain relentless in our pursuit of justice and equity.

We have to be like those leaders, A. Philip Randolph and others who stood up to say that yes, sleeping car porters deserved the right to organize, that stood up and said that our armed forces must be desegregated and that diversity matters in our military. A.

Philip Randolph, who said we need an economic opportunity within our public government so that the government reflects the workforce. And here we see today heads of our military being fired because they're just talking about and ensuring that we actually can accomplish our values and our commitments to diversity.

We are seeing our communities being vilified, particularly our federal workers. The workers help our democracy work. And it is a large democracy, which means it deserves a fair and representative workforce. But we see those jobs being cut and those workers being vilified.

And I want to tell you it is going to have a tremendous economic impact, not just in D.C. but in California when public sector workers are sidelined. So I want to remind us of the words of Dr. King that an injustice to one is an injustice to all.

And we're in a moment where there is a lot of injustice to. And what does that mean? That means we need one united front. One united front that will fight for diversity, that will fight for equity, that will fight for inclusion. That is not seen as a weakness, but as our strength.

So now more than ever, let us show in this chamber some solidarity. Let us look beyond our racial and ethnic lines and see the justice lines of unity that can help us stop this violence that is happening against our government, by our government at all levels.

Black history has taught us that freedom is never given, it is extracted. And rather, we have to be brave and courageous in our fight.

I urge my colleagues to recognize today as no regular session, no business as usual, but as a call to action that we stand united on all out attacks against the rights of so many of us and that we commit to the mission of equity where Californians can truly thrive and be united in the one America, the one state that my ancestors, those who created Black History Month, envisioned for us today.

And with that, I respectfully ask for your aye vote.

Thank you, Senator. We're going to kick off discussions with. Senator Dr. Weber Pierson.

Thank you, Madam President. Good afternoon, my fellow Senators. I rise today in support and as a proud co-author of SCR 21. Want to thank my colleague from Los Angeles for bringing it forward. This resolution commemorates February is Black History Month, which is a time of reflection, celebration and renewed commitment.

Black Californians have been instrumental in shaping our state from civil rights activism to advancements in medicine, science, business and the arts. We must continue investing in policies that support advocacy, expand educational opportunities and power economic growth for our black communities.

As a physician, I also see this month as an opportunity to honor countless black doctors, nurses and healthcare workers who have transformed medicine, championed health equity and inspired a future of black medicine. This month reminds us of the ongoing need to fight for comprehensive, equitable, high quality and culturally sensitive care for all.

The history of black health in America is deeply intertwined with the broader fight for racial justice. While we as medical professionals take an oath to care for all, unfortunately, black individuals have long faced systemic barriers to receiving that care.

Historical injustices, including medical experimentation, surgeries without consent and the exploitation of black bodies for research reflect a deep seated racism that unfortunately we still see in health care. Yet despite these challenges, many black health leaders have made groundbreaking contributions that have advanced medicine and sparked the important work of addressing long standing disparities. Pioneers like Dr.

Charles Drew, Dr. Daniel Hill Williams, Dr. Jane Cook Wright and Dr. Rebecca Lee Crumpler, just to name a few, were monumental in paving the way for a more just system.

Black medical professionals today still continue to drive progress in public health, yet Black Americans still face several health disparities, including higher chronic disease rates, Shorter life expectancy rates, and the alarming increased rates of maternal and infant mortality. A diverse health care workforce is essential to closing these gaps. Yet black professionals remain underrepresented in medicine.

I remember when I was coming to the Assembly, I was conflicted because my departure from being a full time practicing OB GYN meant that San Diego would only have 4 black female OBGYNs instead of the 5 when I was practicing there at the time.

Efforts to expand diversity are now under attack with this new Administration with misleading narratives attempting to discredit DEI initiatives. They are not only false, they actively perpetuate health inequities. As we look ahead, I envision a diverse workforce of health care providers ensuring access to culturally competent care.

I see technology advancing health care system, but we must ensure that we prevent these from creating and advancing some of the biases in health care that we have seen before.

And most importantly, we must work towards a future where black Californians flourish and thrive, supported by trusted health care professionals and receiving the highest quality care that we all deserve. We must celebrate Black History Month in its entirety, honoring the past, recognizing the present, and building for the future. True commemoration means more than just reflection.

It requires a renewed commitment to justice and equity. The work of dismantling systemic racism is far from over, and our policy decisions must reflect a steadfast dedication to a fair and inclusive California. Let this be a call to action for all of us to uplift, support and advocate for black communities.

Let us champion policies that promote equity and access and the opportunity for all. And with that, I respectfully ask for an aye vote on SCR 21. Thank you.

Thank you, Senator. Senator Perez, you're recognized.

Thank you, Madam President. I rise on behalf of the LGBT Legislative Caucus and the Latino Caucus in support of SCR21. Today, we honor the lives, contribution and voices of the black community in our nation's past, present and future black lives, many of whom fought for the rights we have today.

The black community and its leaders have been at the forefront of social justice movements since the inception of our country. Black activism has so often been born out of necessity so that black people can live and thrive in a nation built by their ancestors.

With this resolution, we honor black leaders whose excellence and drive have bent the arc of the moral universe towards justice, including highlighting efforts and champions who not only fought to uplift the Black community for both the LGBTQ and Latino community. This includes LGBTQ leader Norris B.

Herndon who took his father's life insurance business, Atlanta Life Insurance Company to the most successful black owned business in the US for most of the 20th century. Atlanta Life Insurance Company was dedicated to providing life insurance policies to African Americans who are often denied by White Owned insurance companies.

His company was also the first and only policyholder for MLK Jr. Norris was a family friend of W.E.B. Du Bois and attended the founding meeting of the Niagara Movement, the precursor to the naacp. Norris used his economic success to invest heavily in the NAACP and in HBCUs as well as directly funding the work of Dr.

Martin Luther King Jr. Additionally, he turned his offices into a financial headquarters and training ground for the Civil Rights movement. This is just one exceptional Black leader whose legacy continues to make a lasting positive impact in the LGBTQ community.

In addition to the LGBTQ community, the struggles of many Black Americans have also benefited or influenced the Latino community. For instance, there Thurgood Marshall's legal work leading up to and including his time in the Supreme Court established civil and political rights that continue to empower minorities and people of color.

While he may be best remembered for arguing against the separate but equal doctrine in the Brown vs Board of Education case, that case laid the foundation for countless legal advancements that would occur over the next 50 years. Additionally, the vital work performed by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

And and his commitment to nonviolence inspired future political activists to seek social change. Among Those influenced by Dr. King was a young Cesar Chavez who would also achieve political success for farm workers through nonviolent means. These are just two examples of influential African Americans whose life works had such a profound impact on the Latino community.

While many more can be acknowledged, rest assured that the Latino community is grateful for such leadership, inspiration and support. Support. We in the LGBT community and the Latino community are eternally grateful to the black community for helping to lead the way to a better tomorrow. I respectfully urge your aye vote on SCR 21.

Thank you, Senator Richardson.

Good afternoon colleagues. I rise on behalf of the Legislative Women's Caucus. We're 58 strong and and 21 particular right here in the Senate. I stand with all of you in support of SCR21 and to celebrate that this February month we're celebrating black history.

It's an annual celebration of black history in February, when it was first established to align itself with the birthdays of Frederick Douglass and Abraham Lincoln. Because we don't oftentimes really go through all of African American history.

Many people are not aware, but it was actually Frederick Douglass who attended the first women's rights convention in Seneca Falls in New York in July of 1848. It was Frederick Douglass who encouraged Susan B. Anthony and many of the women of that great movement. That we could move forward. We could see change in this country.

There's a few women I want to highlight that we oftentimes don't hear a lot about. Daisy Bates. She led the segregation of the Central High School in Little Rock, Arkansas, which was really the desegregation of what we later saw of the Little Rock Nine. Sister Rosetta Tharp, the godmother of rock and roll.

She actually started before Elvis was born. And then we have people like Fannie Lou Hamer, who's one of my favorites, who you oftentimes hear a quote of her saying that she was sick and tired of being sick and tired. And she fought for voting rights in Mississippi.

She was willing to give up her job, her home, everything that she had to fight for voting rights of other people. And then finally, Shirley Chisholm. You know, Shirley Chisholm was the first African American woman who was sworn into Congress in 1969. She was a Member of the founding Congressional Black caucus.

And in 1977, she was one of the key Members of the Women's Caucus. I think of Shirley Chisholm because when she was first sworn in. And I look at this great body, where we are today. That many of the Members refused to see her in the committees.

And her famous quote was, if they don't give you a seat at the table, bring a folding chair. All of you colleagues today as we celebrate black history. You know, I was in fourth grade, and it was a black history program where young kids were encouraged to give speeches.

And I gave my first speech in the fourth grade. And it was about Dr. Charles Drew. And Dr. Charles Drew was the one who invented the blood bank, which many of us, unfortunately, if you've never had a blood transfusion, you know, a family Member who probably has. And so it was that opportunity.

And I encourage all of us, as we go back into our districts, to share this history. Because it's. With this history, it makes us stronger. It makes us know what we've already accomplished and what's very possible.

Because who would have thought a fourth grader giving a speech in a regular school black history program would be able to go on and serve with that. I urge an aye vote on SCR 21. Thank you.

Thank you very much. Senator Wiener, you're recognized.

Thank you very much, Madam President. Colleagues, I rise today as co chair of the California Legislative Jewish Caucus in support of SCR 21. Black History Month is a celebration of black history and a reminder that black history is American history.

While we should spend all year learning about the joy and pain of the black experience in America, this month is an opportunity to recommit ourselves and make clear our intentions that we will not turn our back on our black community.

At a time when the very idea of America as a multiracial democracy is under attack from the highest echelons, it's incumbent on all of us to stand up as leaders in our communities and fight back.

Black history, like the history of any community, cannot be reduced to a single narrative, and we should be suspicious of anyone who tries to tell us otherwise.

We know there are political forces in this world who are seeking to divide us by attacking the essentially American ideas that our diversity makes us stronger, that we are better as an inclusive whole, and that our nation is one of equals. We cannot just stand by.

The long history of partnership between black and Jewish people in this country is deep and has been happening for a very, very long time. We have, as both communities have deeply understood, that our freedom and prosperity are intertwined with one another.

The Jewish community continues to proudly speak of our leaders who, like Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel, fought in the civil rights movement in the 1960s. In 1964, a black man and two Jewish men, all three young activists registering voters in the segregated south, were murdered in Mississippi by the KKK during the Freedom Summer campaign.

Their names are James Cheney, Michael Schwarmer and Andrew Goodman.

I also want to recognize the many Members of our communities who identify as both black and Jewish leaders, like Rebecca Walker, the feminist scholar who is the daughter of Alice Walker, author of Color Purple, and Melvin Leventhal, lead counsel for the litigation arm of the NAACP in Mississippi during the civil rights movement.

This month and every month, we celebrate the contributions of our black siblings to the multicultural world in which we live, while honoring that which they have been forced to overcome and continue to work to overcome. I respectfully ask for an aye vote Senator Choi.

Thank you, Madam President. We commemorate February as Black History Month, celebrating Black Americans' resilience, ingenuity, and remarkable contributions. Today we celebrate the trailblazers who broke barriers, fought for justice, and enriched our cultural tapestry. Black lives exemplify the strength of unity, the power of hope, and the promise of a more just and equitable future for all.

In California, a state renowned for its diversity and innovation, we recognize that the achievements of Black Americans have been instrumental in driving our commercial communities forward economically, culturally, and politically. Their perseverance and determination have not only uplifted their own communities, but have also left the indelible mark on the broader narrative of our shared American experience.

Let us use this month as an opportunity to reflect on the lessons of the past, to celebrate the accomplishments of the present, and to commit ourselves to the work of a more inclusive tomorrow. May we continue to support the policies and initiatives that nurture equality and justice for every individual. Thank you for joining in this celebration of Black history, a history that is a rich, complex, and indeed cornerstone of our collective identity. I urge your aye vote.

Thank you, Senator. Senator Grove, you're recognized.

Thank you, Madam President. I too rise in support of File Item 20: SCR 21, and just to highlight some of the things that are happening in my district, Kern County started off Black History Month with a celebration and a colorful and beautiful parade that went through downtown.

The NAACP Black vendor event highlighted Black businesses and service organizations and nonprofits that are solely run and organized and put together by our Black community. KGET featured something really special this year.

They had a full panel of individuals that are leaders in our community discussing the rich history of Black Americans in business, in our faith community, and all those that serve our community. Morgan Clayton was one of the ones that participated. He's a successful business entrepreneur and invest in nonprofits throughout our community that serve our at-risk youth.

NaTesha Johnson, you have to call her the Queen of Bakersfield. She's a business leader, nonprofit award winner, and just an all-around incredible person. Vernon Harper is the President of Cal State University Bakersfield. Pastor Traco Matthews is appointed by the Governor in several positions including his wife as well, Jessica Matthews, are part of appointments from the Governor's Office, and then Mr. Bakersfield himself, Bishop Michael Bowers participated on this panel to highlight African American businesses and the community leadership that is portrayed in our community. Cal State Bakersfield has held a Black History Month luncheon yesterday setting examples for Black leadership for our students.

Tomorrow is Kern Community College District's Black History Month luncheon, which will do the same on the east side of town, and then last but not least, President Trump has appointed Alice Johnson a U.S. pardons--as the U.S. pardons czar.

Johnson was pardoned by President Trump in his previous Administration and now with her lived experience expert, she's going to benefit many, many individuals that had her fate from previous incarcerations, and I think that that's going to be a good thing for all of us in the United States. Respectfully ask for an aye vote on SCR 21.

Senator Becker.

Thank you, and thank my colleague from Los Angeles and San Diego and all the members of the Black Caucus. I just want a quick note that a number of years ago when I was able to help secure money for the Domini Hoskins Black History Museum and Learning Center in Redwood City, and that extremely personal and really fantastic collection is now available year-round as opposed to just Black History Month. So I invite you all to Redwood City to come check it out and celebrate with me. Thank you.

Thank you, Senator. Senator Valladares.

Thank you, Madam President. Members, today I rise in support of SCR 21 on behalf of the Hispanic Caucus. As we commemorate Black History Month, let us remember the words of Booker T. Washington. Permission to read?

Without objection.

'You can't hold a man down without staying down with him. Black history is American history. It's a story of struggle, resilience, and triumph. It's a testament to the courage of those who, despite unimaginable obstacles, press forward, building businesses, strengthening communities, and fighting for the fundamental rights that should have never been denied in the first place.'

'It's also a history that belongs to all of us because it's the fight for freedom, for justice, and for opportunity. It's not just the story of one community, it's the story of America herself. California is a place of immense diversity, where people of all different backgrounds, experiences, and beliefs come together.'

'It's our diversity that gives us strength, but it also challenges us. Truly, unity isn't about pretending differences don't exist. It's about acknowledging them, understanding them, and finding common ground.' That is what Black History Month offers us, a chance to reflect on the past, to recognize the struggles that still exist today, and to recommit ourselves to building a future where all Californians can thrive. But we can't talk about Black History Month without acknowledging the ongoing struggles to too many in our Black communities.

Disparities in education, homeownership, business ownership, and public safety continue to limit opportunity. If we're serious about honoring this history, then we must be just as serious about addressing these challenges. That means fighting for better school so every child has a real chance at success. It means ensuring that every neighborhood, regardless of your zip code, is safe, and it means expanding economic opportunity so that the promise of prosperity extends to all Californians.

Black entrepreneurship and homeownership have long been pathways to economic mobility, and we should be doing everything within our power to remove the barriers that stand in the way.

As policymakers, we have an obligation to foster understanding, to promote opportunity, and to unite Californians around our shared values of hard work, of family, of faith, and community because the truth is, when one of us rises, we all rise. This Black History Month, let us not only reflect on the past, but also let's look ahead with purpose.

Let's build a California where unity is not just a word, but a reality, where history is not just remembered, but used as a foundation for progress. And most importantly, let us act, ensuring that every Californian, no matter where they come from, has the opportunity to achieve their full potential. Members, I respectfully ask for an aye vote on SCR 21.

We're going to turn it over now to Senator Cabaldon.

President? Thank you, Madam President. I rise on behalf of the Asian Pacific Islander Caucus in support of SCR 21. I feel like we should have a day every week commemorating the Black community in this country and in this state.

For more than a century, the API communities of California were beat up, our citizenship stolen, immigration banned, our property taken one community at a time, the Chinese community, the Japanese community, my own community, the Filipino American community, over and over and over again. And sometimes we would stand up, and often we would have to sit down.

It wasn't until the Black community in this state showed a different path and a hard path, the hardest of all, about how democracy becomes real, how our rights become real, that we found the courage to stand up, the inspiration, as others have said.

But we found so much more than that because every tool that we have used for farm workers, for API communities, for marriage equality, every single legal tool was built by the Black community in this country: discrimination laws, Loving versus Virginia, over and over and over again.

So it's not just that we feel good about the inspiration, like, thanks for the attaboy; it's without those tools the other fights that we have fought in every other community would have come to nothing.

For the marriage equality movement--and I'll speak a little bit for LGBTQ Caucus--I remember after Proposition 8, I would give speech after speech at rallies after rallies, and folks would, they'd come to rally to call for change, they would write a check to the legal fund, and then they'd ask when we were going to mimosas afterwards for the party.

And I thought for a moment, like how great this is that we can feel this way, but that's only because another community a couple of decades ago and for a century, two centuries before, had the fire hoses, the dogs, and so many ropes that they paid the price so that we could simply rally and hope that we would win a court case for our rights.

And so I want to say, just on behalf of these communities, to our Black sisters and brothers here in California, but really also to ourselves, to remember the role of Black Americans, Black Californians, in making this a more perfect union. That is why we support this month and we should be studying it year-round and I, and I respectfully ask an aye vote.

Senator McNerney.

Thank you, Madam President. Members, 'an injustice anywhere is an injustice everywhere.' Martin Luther King. I rise to recognize the immense contribution of Black Americans to American history and culture, be it music, literature, science, sports, entertainment, and so many other areas. The Black American community has been and will continue to be over-representative in what America is today. I salute the African American community and your achievements, and I respectfully ask for an aye vote for SCR 21.

Senator Seyarto, you're recognized.

Thank you, Madam President. Today I rise in support of SCR 21, and you know what? I want to bring it to something very positive. I want to talk about a success story. And that success story is the City of Inglewood and the Inglewood Fire Department. I heard that back there.

I was blessed in my second department that I worked for to get hired by the Inglewood Fire Department in 1983. I was hired by--and Inglewood has a history of a lot of firsts--I was hired by the first African American chief, fire chief, to be hired in LA County. He thought I was Hispanic. That's okay.

That's the blessings of having an interesting last name, but I got to join a department that was already well down the road of integrating their department. We had great members of the department that were African American. Remember, just at the very first of them, Al Williams, a good friend of mine, Bobby Steeles, another good friend of mine.

Actually, Bobby Harper, who came way before Bobby Steeles, but these were all pioneers, the pioneers you talk about in your various speeches. And yeah, we had some difficult times. There were some difficult relationships, but at the end of the day, when we went on fires, we had each other's backs. And you know what?

Everybody in that department from Crystal Golden, my old partner, my old squad partner, Gloria Altemus, another young lady we hired who was a decathlete, all of these folks came together and they weren't really that focused on their differences. What they were focused on was doing the job. What they were focused on was being a family, and that's what they were, all of them.

Sadly, the ones I just mentioned, they've all passed away. Most of them passed away before they were 50. Al waited until he was 67, I think. So we do have a long ways to come in trying to figure out why we're losing a disproportionate amount of our Black population, especially in the fire service. We have a lot of high cancer rates and things like that, but what I want to say about the people that I used to work with was they were capable.

They were not there because they were Black. They were not there because they were Hispanic or gay. They weren't there because they were API. They were there because they wanted to be firefighters, and the door was open for them to do that, but they still had to walk through that door.

And because they walked through that door, I was able to have a 23-year run in the City of Inglewood before it was dissolved in 2000--the year 2000. They ran bankrupt. It didn't bankrupt, but the fire department had to go to--we had to do some cost savings in that city because of the sports teams leaving.

And so we had a revenue crunch and we went to LA County Fire, who wasn't, believe it or not, as advanced in all of this as Inglewood Fire Department. So we were able to bring that culture over to them, and I have to say that I was blessed to be able to work with all of those people.

I remember standing on the field watching Al Williams snow-cone a ball, the last catch for the--when we won the gold medal in the Firemen's Olympics. Those are the things that I remember about my colleagues that happened to be African American, that happened to be Asian American, that happened to be Hispanic American.

And those are the great, great memories that I have, and so with that, I want to say there is progress being made in some circles and there's a lot of progress to be made in others. So we'll all continue to go down that path and try to make that progress, but please recognize the efforts of some of these pioneers. They weren't just hundreds of years ago, they were just 42 years ago. Thank you.

Senator Wahab.

Thank you. As Vice Chair of the API Legislative Caucus and an individual, I rise today to highlight that Black history is American history. It was said multiple times today, and I often inform folks that every single community in the United States has benefited from the Civil Rights Movement, and our progress as a nation was built on the foundation that was built by Black Americans fighting for their rights.

Every single ethnic group, every single community as a whole must thank the Black American community. But as we highlight legends in their fields, let's not forget those that have died by city-sanctioned bullets, those that were mistreated and abused under unfair laws and societal bias, and the forgotten that go nameless. We have a lot to remember, we have a lot to apologize for, and we still have a lot to correct.

Black Americans influence this country in every single way, including many of us that are standing here today. That includes myself, as I was raised by a Black foster family before I was adopted. And so I have deep respect for the Black American community, more so than I think people see when they're visually looking at me.

And the reality is that we have so much more to do to support the Black American community that built this nation. So I respectfully ask for an aye vote in support of this great community. Thank you.

Senator Ochoa Bogh, you're recognized.

Thank you, Madam President. I rise as a proud Republican in support of SCR 21. The Republican Party has a long history of electing Black leaders and empowering Black Americans throughout history.

As I stand here today as the first Latina Republican elected to the California State Senate, I want to acknowledge our Republican pioneers. In 1870, Republican Hiram Revels, Republican from Mississippi, became the first Black American to serve as the U.S. Senator in Congress.

The same year, Republican Joseph H. Rainey, Republican from South Carolina, became the first Black American Member of the U.S. House of Representatives. In 1879, Republican Blanche K. Bruce, RMS, became the first Black American to preside over the U.S. Senate. In 1918, Republican Frederick M. Roberts became California's first known Black American State Legislator.

In 2003, Republican Jennette Bradley became the first Black female to serve as Lieutenant Governor of any U.S. state. In 2013, Tim Scott, one of my favorites, a Republican from South Carolina, became the first Black American to serve in both chambers of Congress. In 2020, Republican Mark Robinson became the first Black American elected Lieutenant Governor of North Carolina.

In 2022, Republican Winsome Sears became the first Black female to serve as Virginia's Lieutenant Governor. I'm proud to stand today in support of Black History Month, and I make a commitment to honor the community today and throughout the year in my words and in my actions.

In the words of one of my council members and former Mayor McArthur Wright of the City of Twentynine Palms, 'we have come a long way, but there's still much work to be done and strides to accomplish.' I respectfully ask for an aye vote for SCR 21.

Closing our--out our discussion is Mr. Pro Tem.

Thank you so much, Madam President. I want to take a moment to say thank you to the Senator from Los Angeles, the Chairwoman of the Caucus. I want to say thank you to the Senator from San Diego and of course the Senator from San Pedro for advancing this resolution before us and look forward to the honorees who will be here momentarily.

You know, here in California, we celebrate our diversity and it's more important than ever because in 2025, we have seen accomplishments of Black Americans erased from official sites of the U.S. military, erased from NASA.

Black Californians, I want to remind this chamber, helped defeat fascism in World War II, and their contributions during the Space Race helped us get to the moon. Whitewashing our history, whitewashing our history to soothe the fragile egos of a few is not what this state--candidly what this nation--is all about.

Here in the Golden State, we celebrate how San Francisco's first female Black streetcar conductor went on to read her poetry at a presidential inauguration. Her name is Maya Angelou. In California, we celebrate how Serena Williams started playing tennis in public facilities in Compton and became a role model on and off the courts for millions.

And here in California, we celebrate that barrier-born Kamala Harris, how she became the first woman to serve as Vice President of the United States in that she exemplified DEI. She exemplified DEI--dignity, ethics, and intelligence, qualities that I think that, candidly, we can all agree on we need more of on the national level.

I think we can all firmly believe that in the future, we're going to be reading about the successes of the outstanding Black leaders we serve with in the Legislature today. I'm going to wrap up right here on Madam President with this.

In the 175 years California has been a state, we have gravely wronged several communities, and that includes the Black community. It is only proper as we work towards a more just and equitable future for all, that recognizing and celebrating Black history is really the right thing to do, it is the smart thing to do, and it will never be erased by an individual from the top. I'm proud to support this resolution today.

Thank you for all the members who stood up for discussion. Senator Smallwood-Cuevas, you may close.

Thank you, Madam President, and thank you to all my colleagues for those inspiring words and especially our colleagues on the other side of the aisle.

As we talk about history, I think it's about living the truth and us working together to ensure that we are celebrating and operationalizing the values and the promise of Black History Month, not just this year, but for more to come. And with that, I thank you all and respectfully ask for an aye vote.

Thank you. Secretary, please call the roll.

[Roll Call].

Ayes: 37; no: zero. The resolution is adopted. Now we're going to go back to Privileges of the Floor. We're going to turn over to the Chair of the Black--the California Legislative Black Caucus, Senator Dr. Weber Pierson, who will be introducing our unsung heroes. Senator.

Thank you, Madam President. Senators, I rise again today to introduce and recognize the California Legislative Black Caucus honorees for our unsung hero. As Chair of the California Legislative Black Caucus, it is an honor to stand before you today during Black History Month, a time when we celebrate the incredible contributions of black individuals throughout history who have shaped this world with big and small contributions.

As we take a moment to reflect on the legacies of those who have fought, sacrificed, and persevered in the progress we enjoy today, we must also acknowledge the importance of recognizing the unsung heroes among us. History is often centered around household names that we see written in textbooks.

But there are countless others whose quiet acts of courage, service, and commitment go unnoticed. These are the people whose names may not be in headlines, whose contributions aren't always in the public eye, but whose impact is felt deeply within their communities. In recognizing these individuals, we do more than honor them.

We affirm that every contribution made in helping us uplift the community is vital to the progress of our collective history. And it's recognizing these unsung heroes that we create a legacy of inclusivity where every act of kindness, every moment of service, and every effort to elevate another is valued and celebrated.

Members, in honor of Black History Month, you will find at your desk a copy of the book Lovely One, a memoir to an unsung hero in the Black community. Our United States Supreme Court Justice, Ketanji Brown Jackson, who is the first black woman to serve on the High Court.

And now I will introduce each of our unsung heroes. First, I want to introduce my unsung hero, Tasha Williamson. Tasha Williamson is a civil and human rights activist leading the fight against police misconduct, systemic injustices, and community disenfranchisement.

Tasha is the founder of Project Safeway, a community first responder initiative that assisted over 80,000 individuals by mobilizing organizations and community members to respond to scenes of violence, offering immediate support to victims and homicide survivors. It is my distinguished pleasure in welcoming my honoree, Tasha Williamson.

I would now like to introduce my distinguished colleague, Senator Lola Smallwood-Cuevas's unsung hero, Karen Mack. Karen Mack is a visionary leader dedicated to using arts and culture to empower individuals, strengthen communities, and foster connections in Los Angeles. She founded LA Commons, a South LA based nonprofit that implements artistic and cultural programs to engage residents, promote dialogue, and address key health issue key issues like health, transportation, and education. Senators, please join me in welcoming Karen Mack.

Our next honoree was chosen by our distinguished colleague, Senator Richardson, Dr. Elaine Batchlor. Dr. Batchlor is the CEO of MLK Community Healthcare, a CMS five star rated hospital and health system that provides quality care to 1.3 million residents of the medically underserved community of South Los Angeles. Dr. Batchlor has devoted her career to reducing health disparities and expanding health care quality and access to our most vulnerable residents. Senators, please join me in welcoming Dr. Elaine Batchlor.

The next unsung hero is Vice Chair Assembly Member Isaac Bryan's honoree, Gil L. Robertson IV. Gil L. Robertson IV is a veteran journalist and co-founder and president of the African American Film Critics Association, the premier body of black film critics worldwide and producer of the annual AAFC Awards. A Member of the National Press Club, Robertson is a veteran journalist with more than 50 national magazine covers to his credit. My distinguished colleagues, please join me in welcoming Gil L. Robertson IV.

Next, we have Assembly Member Bonta's honoree, Jamilia Land. Jamilia Land is the co-founder of the Abolish Slavery National Network, a coalition committed to eradicating constitutional slavery in all forms, and the founder of the National Coalition to End Felony Murder, where she has been instrumental in advancing legislation to dismantle systemic inequities. Senators, please welcome Jamilia Land.

Up next is Assembly Member Dr. Corey Jackson's honoree, Ernest Rhone IV. Ernest Rhone IV is a lifelong educator, mentor, and leader whose passion for teaching has shaped generations. A retired U.S. army veteran and educator from the Rialto Unified School District, he has dedicated over 30 years of his life to inspiring students, mentoring teachers, and developing impactful educational programs. His commitment extended beyond the classroom, serving as the director of student activities, department chair for the history/social science, and mentor of new educators. Senators, please join me in welcoming Ernest Rhone IV.

Up next is our unsung hero by Assembly Member Lori Wilson, Delphine Metcalf-Foster. Delphine, excuse me, Metcalf-Foster is a disabled U.S. veteran from Vallejo, California. She was elected National Commander of the over 1 million member Disabled American Veterans at the 2017 National Convention in New Orleans. She served in the U.S. Army Reserve with this 689th Quartermaster. Please welcome Delphine Metcalf-Foster.

Next, I want to introduce Assembly Member Tina McKinnor's unsung hero, Cinder Eller-Kimbell. Cinder Eller-Kimbell has been a vital part of the Inglewood Police Department for nearly three decades, taking on various roles that make a positive impact on her community. Her position as a senior community affairs and homelessness liaison and the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors Homeless Council has led to the annual homeless count for 13 years. My distinguished colleagues, please join me in welcoming Cinder Eller-Kimbell.

Up next, I want to introduce Assembly Member Sade Elhawary's unsung hero, Jasmond Nelson. Jasmond Nelson is a native Angeleno with over 15 years of experience serving youth who have been impacted by homelessness, trafficking, mental health, and substance abuse.

Jasmond has 10 years experience as director of Youth Services, implementing wraparound services for homeless youth which includes outreach, drop in centers, transitional housing, and permanent housing to ensure that all youth can have permanency. Distinguished Senators, please join me in welcoming Jasmond Nelson.

Up next, we have Assembly Member Dr. LaShae Sharp-Collins's unsung hero, Tyra Hawthorne. Tyra Hawthorne is a Marine Corps veteran and the founder, CEO, and executive director of Heartbeat Music and Performing Arts Academy. She has dedicated over a decade of her life serving San Diego youth.

Her journey began with the creation of Thunder Squad Drumline program at the Jackie Robinson YMCA, introducing Black and Brown youth to traditions of historically Black colleges and universities. Please join me, Senators, in welcoming Tyra Hawthorne.

We also had one other honoree who was unable to make it over to the Senate side, and that is Assembly Member Mike Gipson's unsung hero, Dr. Keith Curry. Dr. Keith Curry is the president and CEO of Compton College and Compton Community College District. Dr. Curry is passionate about preparing students for higher education, guided pathways, bridging the digital divide.

Establishing partnerships among post-secondary institutions, and expanding programs that impact the daily lives of students, ensuring access for all. So in his absence, distinguished colleagues, please give a round of applause for Dr. Keith Curry. And in closing, these unsung heroes, through their quiet acts of courage, service, and dedication, help shape our communities every day.

Through honoring these individuals, we enrich the stories of black history, which lights the flame for future generations to contribute to the betterment of our communities. My distinguished colleagues, I ask one last time to welcome California Legislative Black Caucus 2025 Unsung Heroes. Thank you.

Welcome to this year's Unsung Hero. We're going to do a group photo in the back, if any Member wishes to participate in the group photo.

Here we go. Members, now is the time to join the group photo. We'll come back in one minute. We'll continue with business in a minute.

30 seconds, colleagues, 30 seconds. We have one final item, one final item. Colleagues, if we can return to our desks. Here we go. We got one final guest introduction. Like to turn it over to Senator Blakespear.

Thank you, Madam President. Colleagues, I rise today to recognize the amazing 5th grade class from La Costa Elementary School, which is at the heart of my district. They're all waving at you. Hello everybody. Look at all those waves. This was a great opportunity to learn about some of our state's unsung heroes today and to hear the great oratory of my Senate colleagues about the importance of black history. So I'm so glad you were here today.

To almost 100 fifth grade students experiencing real life lessons in civics from a school that has been honored with the 2020 California Civics Award of Excellence. La Costa has also been named a Leader in Me Lighthouse School, a California Gold Ribbon School, and a California Distinguished School.

Our public schools, like La Costa Heights Elementary, are preparing our next generation of scientists, doctors, artists, entrepreneurs, and yes, maybe even Senators of the future. We are very grateful to have today teachers Katie Andan, Natalie Christ, and Sean Murphy, as well as Principal Dr. Heidi Galassi and Assistant Superintendent... Wait.

We're not quite ready to clap for everybody yet, but let me say, let me say the names and then we'll clap for everyone all at the same time. Assistant Superintendent Dr. Amy Illingworth, as well as mom Therese and SDUHSD President Jodie Williams.

Thank you to the chaperones for bringing our next generation to see the majesty and the magic that happens right here in our California State Capitol. And colleagues, I encourage you to join me in giving them a very warm welcome.

Hello, fifth graders. Welcome. Off of that positive note, if there is no other business, Mr. Pro Tem, the desk is clear.

Thank you so much, Madam President. And just want to acknowledge the beautiful ceremony by the California Legislative Black Caucus. If we can give them a round of applause and say thank you so much. Celebrating Black History Month. Our next floor session, ladies and gentlemen of the Senate, will be scheduled for Thursday, February 27th at 9am. Have a productive week.

The Senate will be in recess until 3:30pm at which time the adjournment motion will be made. We will reconvene Thursday, February 27, 2025 at 9am.