Senate Floor

Secretary will call the roll.

[roll call]

A quorum is present. Will the members and our guests beyond the rail and in the gallery please rise. Before we proceed with our business of the day, please join me in a moment of silence to remember the victims of the recent tragic shooting in Minnesota.

Our thoughts and prayers are with our colleagues in Minnesota and their loved ones. Thank you. We will be led in prayer this afternoon by Sister Michelle Gorman, after which, please remain standing for the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag.

So we pray in God's presence. God of mercy and justice, teach us to speak prophetic words when our world is out of balance, when the needs of the poor are untended and the cares of the voiceless go unheard.

Teach us to speak prophetic words when hope is in short supply, when our best efforts seem to fail, when the way is unclear. Teach us to speak prophetic words when co workers lean on us for advice and guidance, when difficult decisions need to be made, when new visions are needed.

Gracious God, we will not fear when new dreams must be dreamt. For we know that you are with us. Amen.

Members, please join me in the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag. I pledge allegiance. Members, before we begin, we have a few introductions. Please welcome Senator Blakespeare's son, Oliver Blakespear, to the Senate chamber. And please welcome former Assembly Member Chris Holden to the Senate Chamber. Members, we will now move to an adjourn in memory.

Senator Smallwood-Cuevas, you are recognized.

Thank you, Madam President. And as we recognize our good colleague, former Assembly Member Chris Holden, I rise today to adjourn in the memory of former State Senator Nathaniel Nate Holden, Chris's father. Mr. Holden was a devoted public servant who dedicated his life to the people of Los Angeles and the State of California.

He passed away on May 7 at the age of 95. Today we are joined, obviously, by our good colleague. And we want to send with him our deepest condolences for his loss, but really for Los Angeles's loss. In my district of South Los Angeles, Mr. Holden is a household name, a political legend who still garners support today.

Born in the segregated south of Macon, Georgia on Juneteenth, June 19th, 1929. Mr. Holden built a life rooted in knocking down barriers and redefining what is possible in the face of adversity. On the City Council, Mr. Holden stood firm against gentrification, and he knew the development should uplift, not displaced.

Whether it was launching gun buyback programs to reduce community violence, or rebuilding Crenshaw after the 1992 uprising, or advocating for students, seniors or consumers, Mr. Holden led with conviction and passion. Today, as we see clashes between law enforcement and protesters on our community streets, I am reminded of Mr. Holden's legacy.

I'm reminded of his fierce commitment to justice. Even if it meant voting no and being the lone vote. Mr. Holden is a reminder of what it means to put our community first. He leaves behind a legacy of service, of courage and righteous and good defiance. He has inspired organizers, elected officials and policymakers for decades.

And I met him. He was had been long retired. But he never failed to share a pearl of wisdom and to offer his advice. We at the California State Senate offer our heartfelt condolences to the Holden family and to all of those who were touched by his life and his impact in the community.

And you know, for someone to be in service his whole life and to be such a fighter, it has a lot to do with where people come from and never forgetting where they came from. Mr. Holden served our country during the World War II as a member of the US army and Military Police Corps.

After his return to the US he decided to become a draftsman. He soon applied for a training program for military veterans, but was denied because of the color of his skin. Being told that that would be a waste of his time. Undeterred, he continued to apply until he was finally admitted.

And he studied designed engineering at night, while by day taking classes to finish his high schooling. His studies led to a 17-year career as an aerospace design engineer that enabled him to support a number of historic projects including the Surveyor lunar landing spacecraft missions which proved to the world that it was possible to land on the moon.

Mr. Holden began his public servant career as a member of the California Democratic Council, eventually becoming its President. And in 1974, he won an election to the California State Senate, becoming one of a few.

We believe he might have been the third black Senator here in this chamber. Here he fought for civil rights. Here he fought for the rights of workers to bridge gaps in historically underserved communities. And while in the state legislature, Mr.

Holden helped write the state's Housing Financial Discrimination act, which prohibited financial institutions from discriminating based on race, religion, sex and marital status. He also championed legislation to require California's public school schools to commemorate Dr. King's birthday.

And soon after leaving the State Senate, he served as the Assistant Chief Deputy for the LA County Supervisor for many years, advising our county supervisors as a beloved politician. In 1987, Mr. Holden won an election to the Los Angeles City Council, where he served for 16 years, overseeing the city's 10th district that includes South Los Angeles.

And as City Councilman, Mr. Holden ensured that the black community was seen and heard. He was a strong proponent not only for equality, but also equity when it wasn't popular. He ensured particularly that procurement and contracting for city programs. He ensured and fought for local hiring practices and affordable housing and fair wages.

He was courageous and he was unafraid. His legacy will live on as one of the earliest voices to man accountability for police and to fight for real change against LAPD police brutality. He also stood firm in ensuring that when there were witnesses and clashes between law enforcement and protesters on the street.

Mr. Holden's legacy is clear in terms of the rules of engagement that now govern how LAPD engages in those kinds of exercises. We are so grateful for the time, his courage, and his commitment to the state of California, to the people of Los Angeles.

And we in the state of California stand with the family and with you, Assembly Member, as you mourn this great loss. But we know that his legacy will never be forgotten. And with that, I respectfully adjourn in the memory of Mr. Assembly Member, City Council Member Nate Holden.

Thank you, Senator Richardson. You are recognized.

Thank you, Madam President. My colleague has done an excellent job of covering the life of Nate Holden. And so I won't repeat many of the incredible things, but I will just share. And Mr. Holden is also a constituent of the Senator, which is why she took the very strong lead on this effort.

I'd just like to add a couple points. When I first got involved in politics and. And I think I had went to a new frontier meeting, Mr. Holden, I was young and running for the school board. And he said, well, who are you? And I told him my name. And he said, no, who are you?

And I told him my name again. He's like, well, who have you worked for? And he was really, I would say, a steward of politics, something we could all stand to retain.

Someone who understood the value of public service, not just as an elected official, but as a staffer as well, and learning the true business of representing and doing public service. The other point I just wanted to share about Mr. Holden he was proud.

He kept himself in shape all the time that I knew him and had such a love for Los Angeles, the Olympics, everything about la. But I think the thing that we should certainly acknowledge is one of the things he was most proud of is you and you coming following not in his footsteps.

That certainly was not the case. You two have two different styles, but your love for the Legislature and willing to serve. And I know he didn't always say it a lot, but he was deeply proud.

Senator Rubio, you are recognized.

Thank you, Madam President. I to rise just to honor the legacy. And I stand because I just, you know, it breaks my heart as I know Assembly Member Holden, who I served with in proximity. We're both from the Sangro Valley, and I always think of a son and what that means.

And you really are the legacy of your family father. I know Assembly Member Chris Holden's successes, but I also know that there's always something that we take from our parents.

And I think it's evident, you know, how he raised his family and just the work ethic he has, his graciousness, how much they care about the community and it runs in the family.

So I didn't want to miss this opportunity to say how saddened I am and how thankful I am that he passed on his legacy, his work ethic and everything that now we know from Assemblymember Holden. So again, my condolences and thank you for this opportunity.

Thank you, Senator Durazo. You are recognized.

Thank you, Madam President. And to my Assembly colleague, Assemblymember Holden, I'm sure you are far more proud than we are and thank you for your own. You have followed and taken his footsteps to another level. So thank you for that. I.

Was able to interact with City Council Member Nate Holden when I was with the Los Angeles Federation of Labor. And he was always very entertaining to be around, but very strong, very forceful and was always very proud to support working people.

But aside from all the things that have been said, he outlined the requirement for male co signer for women to get a credit or to get a loan. He fought housing discrimination, he fought to save the EBONY Showcase Theater, now known as the Nate Holden Center for Black Artists and Performers.

So there's so many things I'm sure we could go on and on that things that we don't know that he has done. And we should do a big long list of everything that he fought for. So with that, I respectfully ask for your support of the adjourn in memory.

Thank you, Assembly Member Holden. The Senate sends our sincere condolences. Your father lives in you. You are his legacy. You're an amazing son. You guys were very close. Senator Smallwood-Cuevas. Please be sure to bring the name up to the podium so that he can be properly memorialized.

We will now move on to privileges of the floor. We will begin with Senator Becker. You are recognized for introduction of your guest from the majority leader's desk.

Thank you, Madam President. Today I rise to welcome and present a resolution to the Senate chambers. Three extraordinary leaders from the Ecuadorian Amazon. They've traveled a long, long way to be here with us. This is a multiple day journey from the middle of the Amazon. Juan Bai, President of the Waorani Nation. Hahira Machoa.

She's Aikofan of Konfanier and Nadino Calapucha of the Kichwa organization Pakiru. Their communities are on the front lines, exerting their rights and resisting oil drilling to protect their territories and the rainforest that that we all depend on.

They've traveled thousands of miles to share an urgent message that the climate crisis knows no borders and neither should our commitment to justice, sovereignty, and environmental protection.

Last year, over 5 million Ecuadorians voted an historic referendum to end oil drilling in Yasuni National Park, one of the most biodiverse places on earth and home to indigenous nations who have lived there for generations. That vote was a profound act of climate leadership. And yet the Ecuadorian government continues to defy the will of the people.

New oil wells are being drilled, indigenous lands are being violated. The rainforest is under threat. Why does this matter to us here in California? Because California has positioned ourselves as a global climate leader. But leadership also means responsibility. It means we must recognize how our choices affect frontline communities across the hemisphere.

California is the number one destination for Ecuadorian crude. Over 50% of the oil. Over 50% of the oil from the Amazon region comes to California. And it's worth noting that not all that crude stays here. Some of it's refined and actually sent to other states. So today's guests are not just visitors.

They are defenders of a living rainforest that stores carbon, regulates global weather and sustains life. They're here to invite us into solidarity and shared action with indigenous defenders, with the planet and with future generations.

I know we have a few colleagues who may want to share a couple words on this and acknowledge our Senator who's not here, who often speaks on this issue as well. But if you could just join me in welcoming.

I want to first welcome, members, from Amazon Watch team who are in the gallery I want to recognize my good friend Adrian Frankel, who's here with the delegation. If you guys can all wave up there in the gallery, we'll give you a little round of applause. Thank you. To the Amazon Watch Delegation.

And please join me again in welcoming Juan Bai from the Waorani Nation, Hahira Machoa Aikofan of Kohen Fenier, and Nadino Calapucha of the Kichwa organization Pakeru. Please join me in welcoming these leaders.

Senator Stern, you are recognized.

I'll just add a brief note of gratitude to you as representatives, but to your people. You have helped us in the past and have been allies in us in our fight to protect our own land. And you showed that in some of our toughest battles on ending drilling in our community's backyards that are poisoning our people's water.

You said that our justices are truly indivisible. And when we had that floor debate, Nemonte Nenquimo, one of the Waorani tribal chiefs, actually lended her remarks to a floor debate that I had with a colleague of ours from Bakersfield who's not here today. And I always appreciated you.

Even though the lands feel so distant and life may seem so remote out there, to be standing on a red carpet here, thousands of miles from home, that you see our justices as indivisible. We see it the same. And we owe you a debt now for the pollution that we've caused for you and to ourselves.

I would say the Senator from Bakersfield also has been raising these same issues around imports from Ecuador. And we've debated those issues that somehow that necessitates us to blindly pursue our own resources. I say that there's a smart way to do that, and I think we're actually making progress towards a smarter way to be doing that.

But I would be remiss by not relaying her advocacy here a little bit today and by simply saying that, you know, our destinies are intertwined, and what happens at the COP30 this year in Brazil will be very important.

And even though you may not have leadership from the entire US Government, you will hear from the fourth largest economy in the whole world, in California. So thank you for being here.

Senator Limon, you are recognized.

Gracias. Bienvenidos al capitolio. Welcome to our state capitol. We have worked to understand the impacts that we all have as it relates to energy, to our world, and certainly to California.

And I have been privileged to be able to have conversations with those at COP, as has been said in other places, about the way that our worlds are intertwined, but also the lessons in history that we must all take from what happens when we use our land in different ways. So I want to thank you for coming.

Quiero darles las gracias por estar aqui hoy con nosotros en el capitolio. Sabemos que los temas in cuales nosotrotos trabajamos son temas de mutuo importancia asi que muchisimas gracias por estar aqui hoy.

Very good. Senator Becker, I see your mic's still raised. Did you want to make a closing comment before pictures?

I thank my colleagues. They'll be here all week. I know have meetings with many of you and I know you join me in welcoming to these wonderful chambers. Thank you.

Thank you. Members, if you would like to take a photo after Senator Becker, we can do a group photo in the back. Members, we will get back to business here in just 2 minutes. 30 seconds.

Members, without objection, we will move to Senate Third Reading to take up File Item 19: SCR 75 by Senator Weber Pierson. Secretary, please read.

Senate Concurrent Resolution 75 by Senator Weber Pierson, relative to Alzheimer's Disease and Brain Awareness Month and the Longest Day.

Senator Weber Pierson, you are recognized from the Majority Leader's desk.

Thank you, Mr. President. Colleagues, I rise today as a proud author of SCR 75, recognizing June 2025 as Alzheimer's Disease and Brain Awareness Month in the State of California and June 20, 2025 as the Longest Day, a symbolic global movement where people come together to honor the strength and endurance of those living with Alzheimer's through advocacy, awareness, and action.

Alzheimer's disease, while often thought of as a condition of aging, is deeply connected to the broader public health picture, including issues of gender, race, access, and care infrastructure.

It is especially personal and urgent for me because two-thirds of Americans living with Alzheimer's are women. In fact, among the 7.2 million Americans living with Alzheimer's today, 4.4 million are women. The reason for this disparity are still being studied, including by UCSD's nationally recognized Alzheimer's Disease Research Center, which is at the forefront of groundbreaking research.

Their work is supported in part by federal funding, funding which is now at risk for being cut, a move that would severely hinder progress towards new treatments and preventative strategies.

California, unfortunately, leads the nation in the number of residents with Alzheimer's disease, around 7,200 thousand individuals, and that number is projected to more than double in the next two decades. While our overall population is expected to grow by about 16%, the number of Californians with Alzheimer's will increase by a staggering 127% and communities of color will be disproportionally impacted.

This is not just a public health crisis. This is one that also has a severe impact on families. More than 1.3 million Californians are unpaid caregivers for loved ones with Alzheimer's, providing over 1.8 billion hours of care each year.

While that care is valued at 44 billion, the emotional, physical, and financial toll it takes on families is immeasurable. The burden on these caregivers, most often daughters, granddaughters, and spouses, is staggering. Many are juggling jobs, raising children, managing household, all while providing complex and continuous care to a loved one with dementia.

The result is heightened stress, increased rates of depression, and serious physical and financial impacts, including caregiver healthcare costs estimated at one--oh sorry--134 million in 2015 and projected to rise by 182 million annually by 2030.

And yet, despite the scale of this burden, less than half of individuals with Alzheimer's receive a formal disclosed diagnosis, creating further obstacles to care planning, timely treatment, and access to critical support services that families urgently need.

The urgency to act is reflected in the innovative work being done across California and the nation, including the Healthy Brain Initiative, a collaboration between the CDC and the Alzheimer's Association that equips public health systems to promote brain health, support early detection, and integrate dementia into a chronic disease prevention strategy.

Together, these coordinated equity-driven efforts are now transforming what we know about Alzheimer's and how we respond to it. Colleagues, as we work to strengthen California's healthcare system, we cannot overlook this looming public health crisis. Alzheimer is unfortunately not curable and there is no proven way yet to prevent it, but we can fight for early detection, robust caregiver support, and continued investment in research.

This resolution is a commitment to Californians currently living with Alzheimer's, to their families, to future generations, and to equity in the healthcare access and outcomes. With that, colleagues, I respectfully ask for you to support this resolution.

Let this moment elevate our awareness to promote brain health and recommit ourselves to finding solutions that support all Californians facing Alzheimer's disease and other dementias. And I want to thank all of my colleagues who are wearing purple today in support of this resolution, SCR 75.

Thank you, Senator. Senator Rubio, you are recognized.

Thank you, Mr. President. Ladies and gentlemen of the Senate, I rise as a proud co-author to SCR 75, and I want to thank the good Senator from San Diego for bringing this forward. Alzheimer's disease is often called the Long Goodbye because it doesn't happen all at once, and it is so heartbreaking to watch so many families walk this journey, and a lot of them alone.

It takes an emotional toll, financial toll, and I think that we don't necessarily offer support to these wonderful individuals currently going through this path. It really does chip away little by little at their normalcy and it's really heartbreaking.

I know I have parents who are elderly and I cannot imagine how hard it must be to not only see your parents slipping away or a parent slipping away, but also having to deal with the juggling of two different jobs, making sure there's someone at home, making sure that they don't get lost.

It is really something that unless you've seen it up close, you don't understand how hard it is. Many people don't know, but they think that it's just about forgetting, but it could be fatal as well. Alzheimer's is the fifth leading cause of death for older Americans and it continues to rise.

Right now, millions of people are caring for that parent, that partner, that friend. These caretakers manage their medications, their appointment, their daily routines, and oftentimes they have their own family, their children, their spouses, and so my hat really goes off to all these individuals who are my heroes, who are really, again, paving the path so that if it happens to any of us, at least that we understand it.

We don't have a cure, but I think we could get there, and I hope that we do make meaningful investments in this area so that if any of us ever have to be there, that we've already advanced some type of cure. So again, I want to thank the Senator from San Diego. Thank you for bringing this forward, and with that, I respectfully ask for an aye vote. Thank you.

Thank you. Senator Choi, you are recognized.

Thank you, president and members. I wear today purple tie in strong support of SCR 75. June is Alzheimer's and the Brain Awareness Month, a time to raise awareness and support for the millions affected by Alzheimer's and other forms of dementia. There are more than 75 million people who are living with the Alzheimer's or some other form of dementia.

My own mother suffered a few years ago the same horrible disease before her passing five years ago. Not only is there human toll, but Alzheimer's is also the most expensive disease in the U.S., costing over--to my estimate--my research is $360 billion each year and growing.

Further, the impact of Alzheimer's and other related disease affect more than the patient themselves. More than 11 million Americans provide care for someone suffering from Alzheimer's and they often sacrifice their income, savings, and career. Alzheimer's is one of the greatest public health challenges of our time.

I hope we can create a future where brain health is a national priority and Alzheimer's is no longer a silent epidemic. We must find a solution to it, either or both the prevention and the cure. I strongly urge an aye vote on SCR 75.

Thank you, Senator. Senator Ochoa Bogh, you are recognized.

Thank you, Mr. President. Ladies and gentlemen of the Senate, I rise in support of SCR 75. My family has been touched by Alzheimer's disease. As many of you know, I had an opportunity to live in Mexico with my grandparents who helped raise us during our time, and she was diagnosed with Alzheimer's, dying from complications of it the year that I was elected in 2020, in December.

My grandmother-in-law also suffered and died from Alzheimer's disease and now my mother-in-law has been recently diagnosed with Alzheimer's. So this is a very personal resolution, bringing awareness to the disease, but I want to highlight also the fact that the disease doesn't just impact those who are diagnosed but it also puts a significant strain on loved ones who often serve as caregivers.

Family members and caregivers need recognition, they need support and tools to meet the needs over the lengthy progression of the disease, and for this reason, I want to take a moment to acknowledge and thank the resource centers, adult day care centers, and assisted living facilities throughout California that serve individuals with Alzheimer's or other dementias. Staff and volunteers provide resources, assistance, respite care, and hope to patients, loved ones, and caregivers.

I have to share that without those resources, I personally wouldn't have been able to navigate and learn how to navigate the disease when I had the opportunity and the privilege to care for my grandmother with my mother. I respectfully--first of all, I thank the author for bringing this measure forward, this resolution forward, and I want to respectfully ask for an aye vote in recognition of those living with this terrible disease, those who have died from the disease, and those who love and care for them as well.

Thank you, Senator. Seeing no further discussion or debate, Senator Weber Pierson, you may close.

I want to thank all of my colleagues who stood up and spoke in support and for giving their personal stories and respectfully ask for an aye vote on SCR 75.

Thank you, Senator. Secretary, please call roll.

[Roll Call].

Ayes: 35; no: zero. The resolution is adopted. Members, we are moving to Privileges of the Floor so the Senator can introduce some special guests. Senator Weber Pierson from the Majority Leader's desk, you are recognized.

Thank you, Mr. President. I would now like to take a moment to recognize and honor several special guests who have joined us today in support of this resolution. We have Kate Kriner, who is the Advocacy Manager with the Alzheimer's Association, who has been a tireless leader in building relationships and bringing policy solutions forward.

We also have Andrew Mendoza, the Alzheimer Association Director of State Affairs and Lead Lobbyist, whose strategic expertise and commitment have guided critical advocacy efforts here at the Capitol. And most importantly, we have volunteer advocates from across the state, family caregivers, health professionals, and community leaders, some of which are personally impacted by disease—by this disease.

Your voice is vital, and your presence here today is a testament of your courage, your love, and your unwavering hope. Please join me in welcoming them to the Senate Floor. Thank you.

After Senator Weber Pierson's photo, Members are invited to join in the back for a group photo.

Members, we'll return to business in one minute.

Members, we are going to return back to Senate third reading file, Item 26. Secretary, please read.

Senate Concurrent Resolution 86 by Senator Weber Pierson, relative to Juneteenth.

Senator Weber Pierson, you are recognized once again.

Thank you, Mr. President. Colleagues, I rise today to present SCR 86, which recognizes Juneteenth, the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the ending of chattel slavery here in the United States. You know, last Thursday, we began a session by voting on a resolution for Flag Day.

And during that discussion, it was stated that the American flag was created in 1777 as a symbol of freedom. But it wasn't freedom for all at that time. Because at that time, America was still participating in in the most brutal form of slavery in history.

One that ripped millions of Africans from their homeland and made them endure the harsh and often deadly Transatlantic Slave Route, only to be brought to a land to be enslaved for generations to come. So, in 1777, freedom was not given, or even thought about, for everyone. In fact, it took about another 90 years for—for chattel slavery here in America to be abolished.

And that brings us to the resolution today. All of us have heard about the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863, which freed the slaves in the confederate states, but those in Texas would not know about their freedom for another two and a half years.

On June 19th, 1865, the enslaved black people in Calveston, Texas, were finally informed that they were free. The delay was not incidental. It was structural, symbolic of the long arc of delayed justice in this country. Juneteenth isn't just about freedom.

It is a celebration of black resilience, black brilliance, and black contribution to every corner of this nation, including right here in California. It is about food, family, faith, music, and memory. It is about honoring our ancestors and recommitting ourselves to the work of liberation in every generation.

While California was founded as a free state, our state also bears a legacy of exclusion, redlining, and the systemic denial of opportunity for black Californians. The California Legislative Black Caucus stands united in our mission to ensure that freedom is more than a symbol. It must be material, economic, educational, and environmental.

It means addressing health disparities, advancing reparations, protecting voting rights, and ending anti-black racism in all forms. As we commemorate Juneteenth, we are reminded that justice delayed is justice denied. Our work must include passing policies that dismantle systems that continue to harm communities.

That includes fully funding DEI efforts, fully funding ethnic studies in our high schools, reversing disinvestment in black neighborhoods, and delivering on the recommendations of the California Reparation Task Force. Juneteenth is both celebration and change.

We call on Californians to honor this day, not with just festivities and flags, but with a deep commitment to equity, repair, and a shared humanity. The fight for black freedom did not end in 1865, and it has not ended now. Let us remember the words of Fannie Lou Hamer: "Nobody's free until everyone's free."

And on this Juneteenth, we recommit ourselves to the sacred duty of ensuring California leads the nation, not just in commemorating justice, but in delivering it. And with that, I respectfully ask for an "Aye" vote on SCR 86.

Thank you, Senator. Senator Smallwood-Cuevas, you are recognized.

Thank you, Mr. President. And Members, I rise today as a proud Member of the California Legislative Women's Caucus and Black Caucus in strong support of SCR 86. For many across this nation, Juneteenth holds a profound significance for Black Americans.

It marks the true end of chattel slavery and stands as the oldest nationally celebrated holiday, as my good colleague from San Diego stated. But Juneteenth is more than a commemoration. Juneteenth is more than a barbecue. Juneteenth is more than a floor recognition. Juneteenth is about recognizing racial violence in America.

It is about the resistance of the collective, through action and policy and truth telling, to ensure freedom for all Americans. Scratch any modern issue and injustice and you will find a slave error underneath it—a slave era. And we witnessed so much of that in the last few weeks.

From the remnants of discriminatory housing policies that continues to segregate our communities today, to the long-standing economic inequality facing black communities through genocidal disparities, every day, black Californians continue to face the consequences of centuries of exploitation and disinvestment.

On the heels of nationwide protest over the weekend, no kings, I was reminded of that resistance of our ancestors. Our ancestors taught us, as Black Americans, to recognize patterns of hate, to see institutional violence, and to be vigilant and fighting against the erasure of human—of humanity. Juneteenth is about memory.

And it's that memory that fuels our resistance, generation after generation after generation. It's exhausting. But again, last week and so many other instances in California and across this country, Black people remain committed to justice and to fighting back, correcting a wrong, and pursuing the promise of the Emancipation Proclamation—freedom for all who are here.

And yes, Black people stay angry because we remember the horrors. We know very well what it means to have racial terror and so much so that it has impacted the DNA of Black people. Genetically, more predisposed to illness, genetically more predisposed to early mortality because of the deeply entrenched sorrow that exists in the memory.

But that is what propels us every single day to ensure justice. Not that it's a symbolic kind of framework, but that it's transformative.

The fight that we have seen in recent weeks, particularly throughout my district in Los Angeles, on this Juneteenth, what I hear from my Black constituents is a strong reminder of the need for solidarity against racial injustice, against racial profiling, against civil rights dismantling, fighting against the original sins of family separation that started on a plantation, and we witness it at places like Figueroa and 17th at the Home Depot, about our burned cities like Tulsa, and the disruption of immigrant corridors of commerce that we watched, about ICE raids and the Lynch Mob.

The echo of brutality, of slavery, resonates and resounds in everything that we are witnessing today, and that is why Juneteenth is important for all of us in California. This country was built on the backs of enslaved Black Americans, and guess what?

Is sustained in no small part by the work of undocumented people who are fighting to be free, who are tirelessly working to put food on their tables, to care for their children, to keep their families and their communities strong and together.

This is what Black Americans have done, generation after generation, from Harriet Tubman to Patrisse Cullors and Black Lives Matters. Our ancestors were denied dignity and freedom to move about our communities freely. Today, we see these masked lynch mobs snatching families off the street and denied justice, denied Due Process.

This is what Black Americans have been fighting against our whole existence in this country, whether it's through criminal justice work, whether it's through civil rights work, whether it's about fairness in procurement and contracts, whether it's about closing health disparities, closing educational disparities. This is what black people continue to fight for.

And we all saw what we continue to fight against. As we observe Juneteenth, we are called to reflect as a nation. We must assess how far we have come, but how far we continue to go.

And when will we be tired enough to stop fighting and, for once and for all, abolish the racism and white supremacy that exists, that allows this kind of deep racial terror to happen in our communities? California has the power to lead, and we have, and we will.

And I want to shout out, particularly Black women, women of color at the forefront. With less than 400 days until the next election, we must hold Juneteenth close and keep our eye on the prize for change and dismantling this old southern ideology that has arisen again in our state, claiming the most powerful offices in our land.

Mothers and sisters, we're standing with the tias and abuelitas. This is our moment to protect their families, which means we protect our own, to save our democracy, which means we can expand and include more and bring more of our people on the battlefield for justice. Our futures depend on it.

Juneteenth teaches us to remember, to resist, and to rise, and we know California is ready. And now is the time for action, to honor history with change and progress, that all of our communities deserve and what our ancestors dreamed about. And with that, I respectfully ask for your "Aye" vote on SCR 26.

Thank you, Senator. Senator Arreguin, you are recognized.

Thank you, Mr. President. On behalf of the Latino Legislative Caucus, I rise also today in strong support of SCR 86, relative to Juneteenth.

And Juneteenth, also known as Freedom Day or Emancipation Day, is symbolic in that it is considered the date when the last enslaved persons in America were "freed," almost two and a half years after President Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation.

And I use the term "free" loosely because of what was outlawed and what actually occurred were two very different realities. We also know this moment was not the end of the Black struggle in America, which has been touched upon so eloquently by my colleagues.

And still to this day, racial inequality exists not only here in California, but throughout our country. The abolition of slavery, however, did not bring equality. Juneteenth happened 89 years after the US Independence Day. There would be another 100 years before the Civil Rights Movement gained traction and started to right the wrongs of segregation in our country.

Understanding our past, acknowledging heroes in our diverse communities in California, only serves to strengthen ties between every resident in the state. And I'll just say this now that diversity, equity, and inclusion make our state stronger. Juneteenth is a moment of celebration of the diverse cultures of the Black Diaspora and their immense contributions to our society.

But it's also a moment of reflection on how much has been achieved and how far we still have to go to reach true equality in our country.

As we celebrate Juneteenth and ask all Americans and Californians to honor and reflect on the significant achievements and impact that African Americans have played in the evolution and success of our country, we must continue this fight with the goal of ensuring true equality and justice for all.

African American culture has influenced every aspect of American life, including music, fashion, the arts, science, and among others. And I want to just take a brief moment to recognize a few unsung heroes who have made an impact in our society. Frederick McKinley Jones left his indelible mark with the development of refrigeration equipment in the 1930s.

His creation of the Thermo King allowed people to eat fresh food year-round. In 1991, he became the first African American to receive the National Medal of Technology and consider the impact that Mark Dean had in our lives.

After earning a doctorate at Stanford University, he helped invent IBM's original personal computer and the PC color monitor, things that we use every single day now There are countless examples I can provide of leaders and pioneers that have impacted and continue to influence our lives.

But I challenge all of us to use this time to research, to listen, and to take in the stories that have largely been untold, but have shaped the everyday lives of Californians and Americans.

With that, I want to thank our colleague, the great Senator from San Diego, the Legislative Black Caucus, for your leadership and bringing this important resolution forward. And I respectfully ask for an "Aye" vote on SCR 86.

Senator Richardson, you are recognized.

Thank you, Mr. President. A lot has been said, and I'll just focus on a couple remaining points. Number one, I want to say a special thank you to former President Joe Biden, who actually signed into legislation on June 17th, 2021.

There were many presidents who were before him, but he was the one who had the boldness to do so. Number two, I just want to highlight that Juneteenth, as has been said, it's not about a celebration and a party.

It's about, let's ask the question, why were people after they were known to be free, were continued to be held captive, continued not to be paid fair wages, continued to have their families separated, even though by law in this country, they were free? Something's wrong with that.

And I would venture to say to you, something is still wrong with that. I think it's kind of ironic that we're celebrating Juneteenth after all of the parades and the work that has been done over these last couple weeks. It kind of sounds familiar.

People working, not always for fair wages, not always for proper ventilation, not always given proper health care, all of these things, and yet, we're surprised when there's a struggle. So, with permission to read, Mr. President?

Without objection.

I'm going to read from a favorite author of mine, Frederick Douglass: "If there is no struggle, there is no progress."

"Those who profess to favor freedom and yet depreciate agitation of men and women who want crops. There are those who want crops without plowing. There are those who want rain, without thunder and lightning. There are those who want the ocean without the awful roar. This struggle, even the struggle today, may be a moral one."

"It may be a physical one. It may be both. But we have to remember that it's a struggle. And without the struggle, we get nothing."

Senator Cortese, you are recognized.

Thank you very much, Mr. President. First, I rise in support of SCR 86 and want to thank our colleague from San Diego for authoring the resolution and our other colleagues who have spoken so eloquently, including those from Los Angeles. In 2020, I had the honor of leading Santa Clara County to become the first county in California to declare Juneteenth an official paid holiday.

And I want to say a few words about how that happened. Because it was as a result of holding a press conference out in front of the county in 2020, which was a very turbulent year, as you might recall, to push for the support of a resolution declaring racism a public health crisis.

And one of the individuals who was invited to that press conference, to be a support witness, was the President of our NAACP for the Santa Clara County area.

He surprised us all because he grabbed the microphone and began to make his own speech, on what he described as the 10 things you need to do right now, speaking to those of us on the Board of Supervisors, the 10 things you need to do if you really want to end racism. And I'm not going to list all of those. He proceeded down that list.

One of them was to declare Juneteenth a paid holiday. And he returned to that item when he was concluding his speech. And said, I want to go back to that, because that's something you have in your power to do right now as a Board of Supervisors. You could do that right now. Jethro Moore—Reverend Jethro Moore—was that man.

He passed away a few months ago. We acknowledged him here on the floor of the Senate for other things. But he made the point that, to me, on that day, and I think it's been made in so many ways here today, that acknowledging Juneteenth was important, because every year from 1776 on, as a country, we were sending our citizenry out, our residents out on July 4th, to celebrate a Declaration of the Independence of the people of this country, just a couple weeks after Juneteenth, which was being completely ignored.

Juneteenth, a date that didn't come for 90 years, until 90 years after the Declaration of Independence, at which point it was finally acknowledged, finally acknowledged that the African American community, the Black community in this country, were in need of the same equal rights and the acknowledgement of the same equal rights.

And I think that's what we have to remember about Juneteenth, that we still haven't, even with 50 states now observing or acknowledging Juneteenth, achieve the other nine things on that list.

And we certainly haven't made up for the indices of slavery and the losses of freedom that occurred and even the loss of acknowledgement that occurred for those 90 years prior to Juneteenth and a couple hundred years prior to that. Thank you very much, Mr. President, and with that, I urge an "Aye" vote on SCR 86.

Thank you, Senator. Senator Becker, you are recognized.

Thank you. I rise today as Vice Chair of the California Legislative Jewish Caucus to support this resolution strongly. This resolution and Juneteenth recognizes a moment of profound liberation and solemn remembrance. It's a time to reflect on how far we've come, but how far we also still have to go to achieve true racial justice.

It's not only about commemorating a historic event. It's about uplifting strength, resilience, and joy of the black community, past and present. From the horrors of slavery that began in 1619, to the long arc of civil rights struggles that continue today, Juneteenth reminds us that black history is central to American history.

And learning about it must be a year long commitment. The Jewish people carry a deep understanding of what it means to celebrate survival after suffering. The Jewish story, too, is one of perseverance, memory, collective joy after oppression. These shared values bind our communities in solidarity and hope.

Juneteenth embodies a principle that's at the heart of Jewish teaching, which is "tikkun olam," the idea that we are all responsible for repairing the world. By celebrating Black freedom and affirming Black dignity, we all help move society towards greater justice and in solidarity with the African American community and the Black Caucus, the Jewish Caucus proudly celebrates Juneteenth.

I thank the author for the important measure, ask for an "Aye" vote as we continue working towards a future rooted in equity, justice, and shared humanity. Thank you.

Senator Menjivar, you are recognized.

Thank you, Mr. President. I stand as the Vice Chair of the LGBTQ Caucus, in strong support of SCR 86.

On its 160th anniversary, we have an opportunity to critically examine our country's shameful history of slavery and engage in meaningful discussions and how this history continues to impact us today. Without the national and statewide recognition of Juneteenth, we cannot proudly claim the values of liberty and freedom.

Not when these same values were denied and delayed to enslaved black Americans. Not when liberty and freedom are continuously denied to those same black Americans today. As a Member of the LGBTQ Caucus, I and our Members acknowledge how LGBTQ Black Americans are cornerstones of our community. In fact, Juneteenth and Pride Month in the same exact month.

We must remember that Pride came from the advocacy of Black individuals. They're the reason behind—the driving force behind the first Pride. They are at the forefront of our community's culture. They are courageous advocates and outspoken activists. However, LGBT-plus black Americans are also our most vulnerable and unprotected members within our community.

As many of you know, Black Trans women face one of the highest rates of fatal violence, and Black LGBTQ-Plus youth are at higher risk of homelessness. It is with all of this in mind that my Caucus Members and I amplify the voices and advocate on behalf of Black LGBTQ-Plus Americans.

The recognition of Juneteenth is a step forward, ensuring that black American history is always remembered as American history.

Thank you. Senator Valladares, you are recognized.

Thank you, Mr. President, and I too rise in support of SCR 86, in recognition of Juneteenth, a powerful reminder of freedom delayed and the moral obligation to never delay justice again. On June 19th, 1865, Union troops arrived in Texas to enforce the Emancipation Proclamation, two and a half years after President Abraham Lincoln signed it.

That moment was long overdue and is now forever marked as Juneteenth. As a Republican, I also rise to acknowledge our party's founding principles. The Republican Party was established in 1854 as an anti-slavery movement.

It was Republican votes that passed the 13th Amendment to abolish slavery, the 14th Amendment to guarantee equal protection, and the 15th—and the 15th to protect voting rights. That's a part of our legacy, one rooted in freedom and in civil rights, even when it wasn't popular. Juneteenth reminds us that freedom isn't automatic; it has to be defended.

And as leaders, we carry that responsibility every day that we step into this chamber. Let us honor Juneteenth not just with recognition, but with recommitment. Thank you.

Thank you. Senator Wahab, you are recognized.

Thank you. I rise today as the Vice Chair of the AAPI Caucus, in support of SCR 86. I want to just keep this brief. Juneteenth is a commemoration of the ideal we as a nation value most, and that is freedom for all.

I want to highlight that Juneteenth is a reminder that freedom is something that we must never take for granted. It is fragile and easily fractured when neglected, yet it is strengthened when we renew our commitment to protecting the liberties of every person in this country.

The knowledge and the wisdom that we have gained from what happened in years past is one that we have to carry today, and we are seeing violated daily. So, I want to thank the Senator from San Diego for bringing this forward. I want to also thank all the cities that are celebrating and prioritizing Juneteenth.

I was a co-author, me and a colleague in the City of Hayward, to make Juneteenth an actual holiday in our city, the first time ever.

And I believe that when we talk about these values and specifically, about different communities and communities that have been marginalized and abused for centuries, we also need to put our money where our mouth is and do what's right. It's talked about a lot in this state, and it's never done.

And I want to highlight that and uplift that as something that is an action and call upon all of us to make sure that we prioritize that this year. Thank you.

Seeing all discussion and debate ceased, Senator Weber Pierson, you may close.

Thank you, Mr. President. I want to thank all of my colleagues, all of the various Diversity Caucuses, who stood up to speak in support of SCR 86. And I want to especially give a special thanks and shout out to my fellow CLBC Member, the Senator from Los Angeles, for giving us that amazing history lesson.

You know, you hear that if you do not learn your history, you are doomed to repeat it. And I think that's what we're seeing now. And she brought all of those pieces together so very eloquently and so very accurately.

And so, as we celebrate Juneteenth and hopefully, you all will go out to the many festivities in your respective districts, but it is extremely important, like I said before, that we recommit ourselves to the sacred duty of ensuring that California leads the nation, not just in commemorating justice, but in delivering it.

And on behalf of the California Legislative Black Caucus, I respectfully ask for an "Aye" vote on SCR 86. Thank you.

Secretary, please call roll.

[Roll Call]

Members, give us just one minute. Senator Weber Pierson moves the call and we will now move to privileges of the floor. Pro tem Senator Mcguire, you are recognized.

Thank you so much, Mr. President. Colleagues, we have a good sized crowd in the gallery today to my left. And there is approximately 50,000. 50,000 Eritreans who call the United States of America home. And here we go.

One of the largest communities in the United States of America is right here in the great state of California, including the North Bay Area in Santa Rosa. And today we have over 100 strong here in the state capital, celebrating their native country's 34th year of independence.

After nearly a 30 year war with Ethiopia, the country gained its Independence in 1991. Thousands of Eritreans fled their home country for a more peaceful existence. And many, many settled here in the Golden State. Eritreans have a long reputation of supporting and uplifting one another, providing resources and education, community bonds.

And this was demonstrated back in 2017 in the North Bay. After the devastating North Bay firestorms, the community came out like never before to be able to help neighbors who are in need. One of the greatest strengths of California is our diversity.

And the lessons that we learn day in and day out from the wide spectrum of cultures were part of the fabric of the Golden State. Ladies and gentlemen, and I welcome you to please welcome over 100 from the North Bay celebrating Eritrean Independence.

And a little bit of extra applause because they have brought an amazing traditional feast that is in the Members lounge. Can we please welcome to the California State Capitol.

Welcome to the California State Senate and thank you for the food. We will now move, members, to messages from the Governor. They will be deemed read. Messages from the assembly will be deemed read. Reports of committees will be deemed read and amendments adopted. We are now moving to motions, resolutions, and notices.

Without objection, the senate journals for June 9th, 2025 through June 13th, 2025 will be approved as corrected by the minute clerk. We will now move to consideration of the daily file. Begin with second reading file. Secretary, please read.

Assembly Bill 574 with amendments.

Second reading is deemed read. Members, we're going to quickly lift the file. Excuse me. Lift the call on file item 26. Secretary, please read.

[roll call]

I's, 34. No's, zero. That resolution is adopted. We will now move to senate third reading, file item 14 by Senator Wiener.

Senate Joint Resolution 1 by Senator Wiener relative to applications for a Federal Constitutional Convention.

Senator Wiener, you are recognized.

Thank you very much, Madam President. Colleagues, I rise to present Senate Joint Resolution 1. SJR1 rescinds all seven previous calls by the California Legislature for an Article 5 Constitutional Convention. We know that in recent years, leaders in Congress have repeatedly called for a Constitutional Convention.

And there are those who argue that enough states have already called for a convention for it to happen. If that is not the case, then we are at least arguably quite close. We also know that an unbridled Constitutional Convention and it is very unclear that the subject matter of a Constitutional Convention can be limited.

That an unbridled Constitution is not hypothetical and could result in a proposed revision of the Constitution that could be problematic on so many levels. In terms of our most basic rights, California's open calls for an Article 5 convention could create a pathway for such a situation.

We know that the President has called for rewriting the Constitution to strip people born in the US of citizenship if their parents were not citizens. That is just one example. There are many others.

While a number of California's previous calls for an Article 5 Committee convention are very, very well intentioned, that are policies that, frankly, I support and many of us support. We know that the risk is too great and we need to rescind these calls.

STR1 safeguards the civil rights and liberties of Californians by rescinding these previous calls for an Article 5 Convention. And I respectfully ask for your aye vote.

Thank you. Seeing no further discussion or debate. This item is eligible for unanimous rules roll call, but we will call the roll. Secretary, please call the roll.

Allen, I. Alvarado. Gil. Archuleta, I. Aragin, I. Ashby, I. Becker, I. Blakespear I. Cabaldon, I. Caballero, I. Cervantes, I. Choi, I. Cortese, I. Durazo, I. Gonzalez, Grayson I. Grove. Hurtado I. Jones. Laird I. Limon, I. Mcguire, McNerney I. Menjivar, I. Niello, I. Ochoa, Bog. Padilla. Perez, Reyes. Richardson, I. Rubio. I. Sierrato. Smallwood. Cuevas. Stern. Aye. Strickland. Umberg.

Aye. Voladeras. Wahab. Aye. Weber. Pearson. Aye. Wiener. Aye.

Secretary, please call the absent Members.

Alvarado. Gill. Dali. Gonzalez. Grove. Jones. Mcguire, Ochoa. Bog. Padilla. Perez. Reyes. Sierto. Smallwood. Cuevas. Aye. Strickland, Baladers.

Ayes. 27. No, zero. That resolution is adopted. We will now move to file item 23, SCR 883 by Senator Stern.

Secretary, please read.

Senate Concurrent Resolution 83 by Senator Stern. Relative to Hypertension Awareness Month.

Thank you, Mr. President. Unfortunately, California has the second highest mortality rate in the country for hypertension. And while blood pressure remains a serious problem across demographics, disproportionately it affects American Indians, African Americans, Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders.

This resolution will hopefully encourage us to continue working to educate the public, provide resources and advocate for policies that enhance hypertension awareness, including encouraging people to monitor their blood pressure regularly. This is an issue in my own family, and thanks to some early detection and some active work and some healthy diet, got my pops back on track.

And I am grateful to his Doctor for looking ahead at that. But you don't just need a Doctor to do this stuff. You can do it on your own. And we think the technologies are improving, so this is worthy of your consideration. Respectfully ask your aye vote.

Thank you. Seeing no further discussion or debate, Members, this is eligible for unanimous roll call. Seeing no objection, ayes 35, no 0. The resolution. Resolution is adopted. We will now move to Committee announcements. Senator Erragun, you are recognized at your desk.

Thank you, Madam President. The Senate Human Services Committee will meet in room 2200 upon adjournment session.

Thank you, Members. We will now return to motions and resolutions. We will do our adjourned memories. Senator Umberg, you are recognized.

Thank you, madam President and colleagues. One of the benefits of being around an elective office in the Legislature since 1990 is you get to meet, interact with some really amazing and inspirational people. One of those people was Gene Forbath.

Gene Forbath was a person who looked around and said, our community has needs, whether it's hunger, whether it's education, but it's clothing. And she said, this is my personal mission. She took it upon herself. She took it upon herself to help Orange Countyans in need.

She was a titan in the community who advocated for the poor and marginalized her entire life. And she's best known for founding the nonprofits Share ourselves, known as SOS and Share Our Youth. She was born in Queens, New York, in 1930 as the youngest of four children. Her family moved to Hollywood three years later.

Jean graduated from Connaughty Girls High in Los Angeles, where she was student body President. Later earned her bachelor's and master's degree in English literature from Immaculate Heart College.

She became heavily involved in United Farm Workers, where she handed out leaflets outside of grocery stores encouraging people to boycott grapes and lettuce and bringing attention to the deprivation and poor working conditions that were experienced by California farm workers.

Jean also had Cesar Chavez and about 40 farm workers sleep at her family's Costa Mesa home during their Thousand Mile march from Mexico to Sacramento. In 1970, Jean founded the nonprofit Share Ourselves with her late husband Frank. Aimed to respond to the needs of the community by providing food, clothing, emergency money and health care.

It grew into a massive operation. Today serves nearly 16,000 individuals all across Orange County. Jean served at the helm for more than two decades. After retiring from Share Ourselves, Jean founded the nonprofit Save Our Youth, which provides after school programs, guidance, counseling and scholarships to young people in Orange County.

Jean's predeceased by her husband Frank and son Joe, and is survived by her children Steve, and Betsy Forbath, Kathy and Bahram, Esfahani, Mary and Cesar Cappellini, Susie Forbath, Patty and Steve Irchtil, and Brian and Georgina ForBath, along with 15 grandchildren. Colleagues, I ask that we adjourn today in memory of Jean Horbath.

Thank you, Senator. Our condolences to the family. Please bring the name to the front so that she may be properly memorialized. And if there is no other business, Senator Mcguire. The desk is clear.

Madam President. Busy day. Thank you so much for all of your work. The next floor session is scheduled for Thursday, June 19, 2025. We're not going to have to meet on Friday, which is always a good thing, at 9am thank you so much.

Thank you. The Senate is adjourned. We will reconvene Thursday, June 19, 2025 at 9.