Senate Floor

Secretary, please call the roll.

[Roll Call]

A quorum is present with the Members and our guests beyond the rail and in the gallery. Please rise. We will be led in prayer this afternoon by Senator Laird, after which, please remain standing for the pledge of allegiance to the flag.

There we go. Thank you, Madam President. Today we pray that our dreams for peace and justice may be realized as expressed in Langston Hughes poem I dream a World. I dream a world where man no other one will scorn where love will bless the Earth and peace its paths adorn.

I dream a world where all will know sweet freedom's way where greed no longer saps the soul nor avarice blights our day. A world I dream where black or white, whatever race you be will share the bounties of the earth and everyone is free where wretchedness will hang its head and joy like a pearl attends the needs of humankind of such I dream my world.

Spirit of abundance, God of grace, may we continue to widen our vision so that together we may bring our world closer to harmony and peace, communion and solidarity. We ask this in your name. Amen.

Senators and guests, please join me in the pledge of allegiance to the flag. I pledge allegiance. Senators, we are now at privileges of the floor. Senator Laird, you are recognized at the Majority Leader's desk for your introduction. Whichever one you want to do first.

Should we just move on to messages? Messages. As we are waiting for the guests to arrive, Senators, we will move ahead. And without objection, we will move to Senate third reading to take up file item 74, Senate resolution 81 by Senator Perez.

After adoption, we will return to privileges of the floor for the Senator to introduce her guest. Senator Secretary, please read

Senate Resolution 81 by Senator Perez relative to Read Across America Day.

Senator Perez, you are recognized at the Majority Leader's desk.

Thank you, Madam President, colleagues, I rise to present SR81 to commemorate today, March 2, 2026 as read across America Day. Read Across America Day is a day to celebrate the joy and benefits of reading. We celebrate on March 2nd in honor of Dr. Seuss birthday whom express the joys of reading.

Reading can take you places you have never been before. Reading can be an escape into other worlds or ground us in this one.

Places like libraries and bookstores serve as a place not just for readers to get captivated by a new book, but offer a safe community gathering space and provide access to resources to explore novel ideas and and let their imaginations run wild.

Reading produces benefits in all aspects of a person's life, including improving critical thinking skills, higher literacy, better writing skills and higher test scores, developing empathy and fostering connection, lowering heart rate, easing muscle tension and stress, and all this and beyond. The obvious benefit is that reading is so much fun.

According to the NIH, book readers also experience a 20% reduction in risk of mortality over the 12 years compared to non book readers. Unfortunately, California has the lowest literacy rate of 76.9%. Improving literacy and reading in the state is fundamental to helping people to achieve the American dream.

Colleagues, let's celebrate Read Across America Day by picking up a new book, finishing that book that you started a year ago but somehow still haven't finished, and encouraging the people in your life to do the same. I respectfully ask for your aye vote thank you.

Senator Choi, you are recognized.

Thank you, Madam President. I rise today in support of Our Senate Resolution 81 recognizing read across America. Reading is not just a fundamental skill, it is the foundation of learning and lifelong success for every child in California. As this resolution highlights, literacy is a building block that shapes a student's future and strengthens our communities.

Since 1998, the Read Across America campaign has brought us together to promote a love of reading and active engagement in education. I also want to recognize the critical role of our libraries. Public libraries serve as vibrant community raw hubs connecting people with knowledge, technology and resources while fostering civic engagement, critical thinking and lifelong learning.

They provide free and equitable access to books, digital tools and innovative programs, ensuring that all individuals, regardless of background, have the support that they need to learn, connect and thrive.

For many families, Libraries a Gateway to literacy and academic success I used to love to read the books to school children on Read Across America Day when I was serving locally as a school board Member, council Member, and Mayor of the City of Irvine.

Today, I encourage all Californians to participate, visit your local library, explore its resources, and celebrate all the ways that the library draws us together as a community. I respectfully ask for your aye vote thank you.

Thank you, Senator Rubio. You are recognized.

Thank you, Madam President. Ladies and gentlemen of the Senate, I also rise in strong support of SR81. It is a Read Across America Day. And for me, it was just more than a day on the calendar.

It was a day to connect with my students and community partners who come into our classrooms every year to reach our students. So I also want to take the time to thank all those from firefighters, police officers, restaurant owners, everyone who volunteers every year. We need you.

We need you to continue to volunteer, to come in and, and share your, your knowledge, your wisdom and read to our students. Reading is one of the most transformative tools for our students. It offers our young individuals a pathway to travel, to transform other lives, to go into a different era, which we did every single year.

Whether a student dreams of becoming a scientist, an artist, a teacher, an explorer, that journey often begins with a book. It also encouraged, encourages our students to go to the libraries, which is something that is so critically important.

What I find is that we teach in the daytime, but those librarians also, after hours, become parents to those students that come home to an empty house. And they need that community, that space where adults can look after them.

So again, want to take a moment to also thank the librarians who take care of our kids every single year. This day gives us an opportunity and it always reminds us that every child that picks up a book learns and reads and grows.

And we need to continue to invest in education, educational programs to ensure that we don't leave any student behind. One of the most valuable parts of Reading Across America is a chance to explore diversity as well, since we know that our students only learn by sharing different stories, not theirs.

And so diversity in the classroom is also very important. I remember as we're approaching Cesar Chavez Day, I was reading a book about his life, his story, MLK. Every time there is a holiday, we'll read about him, his struggle, his push for civil rights, equality. And when students see themselves in stories, it inspires them.

It inspires them to grow and to share community. So again, Read Across America is not just about celebrating books, but it's about celebrating the potential that each and every child has for their future. Every story a child reads helps shape their understanding of the world and that their place within that world.

By embracing this day, we send a powerful message that reading matters, that learning matters, and that every student deserves a chance to become a lifelong learner. And I always leave you with my favorite book, which is friendo 4th grade. So please read it. Thank you. Thank you.

Seeing no further discussion or debate, Senator Perez, would you like to close? Thank you. Secretary, please call the roll.

[Roll Call]

ayes. 37 nos 0. The resolution is adopted.

Yes. Thank you so much, Madam President. Today with me from the California Teachers Association to celebrate Read Across America Day, I have board Member Shelley Gupton and communications staff Daisy Rodriguez. Thank you. Welcome to the Senate.

We will now move back to privileges of the floor. Before we move on to our next introduction, on behalf of Senator Ashley, please welcome students from Consumman's Oaks High School who are in the gallery joining us today. Welcome to the Senate Chamber. Senator Laird, you are recognized for your introductions.

Thank you very much. Madam President. I rise to welcome the California Conservation Corps and to recognize the 50th anniversary of the California Conservation Corps. First founded by Governor Jerry Brown in 1976, it has represented the very best of California service, education, opportunity and stewardship.

The ccc, which we affectionately refer to as Decease, reaches nearly every community throughout the state with its 25 centers that work with 3,000 individual corps Members. It's a national and even international leader in the Corps Movement, focusing on conservation, young adult development and meaningful career pathways.

In fact, it's the largest and longest serving conservation corps in the United States. The CCC has also collaborated with local and tribal partners on the expansion of local community conservation corps and Tribal Corps throughout the state, fostering an ever growing California Corps movement.

Corps Members have protected our forests, restored our habitats, built and maintained our trails, cooked the food that has fueled this work and strengthened communities across the state and even further. Corps Members answer the call when disaster strikes. They have served more than 19 million hours responding to wildfires, floods, earthquakes and the COVID 19 pandemic.

They work on front lines, often behind the scenes, helping California in their greatest time of need. Many go on to become firefighters, park rangers, emergency responders and public servants throughout the national, state and local level, continuing a lifetime of service inspired by their work in the seas.

So on this, the 50th anniversary, we honor their service, sacrifice and extraordinary contributions.

I wanted to add that in my previous job we would go out to fires while they were in the highest stages and I would always make sure the Governor went over to to greet the seas that it wasn't just the firefighters who we value and other first responders, but they were there in every place and every time and it has been amazing public service.

There also has been a veterans back trails crew and through the seas. It provides a way that veterans coming out get training and work and a pathway to career. So the Conservation Corps is amazing. I am pleased to acknowledge some Corps Members that are here with us today.

First, Sandra Paola Hernandez Jacinto is a Fresno Corps Member and recently named the Nationwide Corps Member of the Year by the Corps Network. She will be going to Washington D.C. in May to be recognized for this achievement.

Also with this are Gavin Prendez of Fortuna Corps Member of the Year, Amanda Ramos, the Inland Empire Corps Member of the Year, Samantha Hijon, the Los Angeles Corps Member of the Year, and Tyler Luciani, the Sacramento Corps Member of the Year.

We also have in the gallery the CCC Director J.C. Patton, Deputy Director Sloan Viola, and over 50 Corps Members and staff throughout the state who are here to learn about the legislative process during the annual Government Day. Many of you or your staff will meet with corps Members in the next couple of days.

And I can just tell you, if it's at all possible, you will want to take this meeting personal because there will always be people that will tell how they got from certain places in their life to this. And it is really moving.

And if you are not a believer in the seas before that, you will be after you hear those personal stories. So please join me in welcoming and celebrating the California Conservation Corps and the generations of corps Members who've made California stronger now and for a half century to come. Please welcome them colleagues, and thank you Senators.

We do have a few other people that are planning to speak before we do the pictures. Senator Durazo, you are recognized.

Thank you, Madam President. I too stand along with my colleague and thank the author to express my gratitude for five decades that you all, and others before you and others who will come after you and have done for California.

You've strengthened every region, every community in California and you've been exposed to careers that you might never have known before. You've been planting trees in urban neighborhoods, restoring parks and trails, protecting our watersheds, helping communities prepare for wildfire, flood, drought, and all the other impacts of climate change. This is not a charity. It's a partnership.

Corps Members earn a paycheck. They gain certifications. They learn teamwork, discipline and leadership. They build pride in their work and in themselves. For many young people, especially those from working class communities, the Corps is the first step toward economic stability. It is a pathway to a career and natural resource management, something they may not have ever known.

That is why, as part of my effort to formalize green collar jobs that started my first year in the Senate, I will continue with my colleagues here to advocate for funding to support these programs. They are real jobs. They're real pathways into a growing green workforce. Thank you very much for all that you do.

Thank you, Senator Jones. You are recognized.

Thank you, Madam President and Members. I also am happy to recognize the 50th anniversary of the California Conservation Corps. 50 years of service and impact across our state is a remarkable milestone.

The young men and women at the SEAS gained practical skills, educational advancement and certifications while contributing to projects that protect our natural resources and strengthen our local communities. To the leadership of California Conservation Corps, including the Director and the administrative team, thank you for all of the hard work that you do.

Congratulations on building and sustaining such an awesome program here in the state of California. I'm especially proud that the Urban Corps North County Escondido facility is located in my district and work happening there reflects the very best of your mission in action.

I had the privilege of congratulating the San Diego Conservation Corps graduates this past December and in one of their graduations. And seeing their growth and accomplishment firsthand is truly inspiring.

This is a one of a kind program that gives young Californians the opportunity to pursue education, develop workforce skills and build a stable future for themselves and their families and all of us actually in the state.

Many arrive having faced challenging life situations and through the guidance, structure and camaraderie of the Corps, they leave with discipline, confidence and direction. This is truly a special program that deserves the due recognition. And I want to thank the Senator from Santa Cruz for bringing this up today.

On the behalf of the people of the 40th Senate District and the entire state who see your work every day, even if they don't know it. Congratulations on 50 years of leadership, of service to California, and definitely congratulations to the Members of the year.

Thank you, Senator Jones, congratulations, and thank you so much for what you have done. Congratulations on 50 years and we look forward to the next 50. At this point, if anyone is interested in taking a picture with Senator Laird and Members of the Conservation Corps. You may go to the rear of the chamber.

We will continue with our privileges of the floor and move to our next introduction. Senator Laird, you are recognized at the majority leader's desk for your next introduction.

Thank you very much, Madam President. I'm presenting at the request of the Senator from West Sacramento who says we do not hear about Cal Poly enough. And so I rise to welcome the Cal Poly San Luis Obispo Agriculture Leadership Class.

Due to their impressive backgrounds and academic achievements, the students with us today were chosen to participate in this program, which centers on leadership development and allows them to research pressing issues impacting agriculture in California. As part of the program, students visit the state capitol and state agencies for firsthand exposure to the development of public policy.

Since its establishment in 2001, the class has visited the Legislature annually, and I am pleased to report that over the years, several alumni have been accepted for internships in the state capitol. Also joining the students is their professor, Anastasia Teleasetsky, who I would like to congratulate for her dedication to developing the next generation of agriculture Senators.

Please join me in welcoming the Cal Poly San Luis Obispo Agriculture Leadership Class to the Senate floor.

Thank you. Welcome to the Senate.

We will now move to our next privileges of the floor introduction. Senator Becker, you are recognized.

Thank you, colleagues. One year ago, nearly to the day, I introduced on this floor the 2024 California Community College Athletic association state championship football team for my district, the College of San Mateo Bulldogs.

And I'm filled with pride to stand once again one year later to congratulate the 2025 team as the Bulldogs are back to back state champions, capturing their third title in four years with a dramatic win, very dramatic win last December over Golden West. We'd hope to have the CSM state champion women's softball team with here as well.

We have one of the coaches, however, due to their schedule, they're unable to join us today. They and we look forward to having them at a future date. Sports at College of San Mateo, especially under the leadership of coach Tim Tulloch, who is here with us, represent the very best of college athletics.

Commitment, discipline and a drive to be great in every aspect of life. These players, many of whom are first generation college students, are the first to arrive on campus in the morning and the last to leave in the evening. I have to note a moment of personal pride here as well.

Two of the players here with us today played high school football at Menlo Atherton High School with my son Aaron. So it's a special pleasure to welcome them here today. This state championship reflects hard work, commitment to excellence on the field, in the classroom and in the community.

This past season, the Bulldogs maintained an overall team GPA of 3.4. So they are true student athletes. I want to also take a moment to acknowledge the San Mateo Community College District's partnership on our free community college pilot program that we voted here in the state Senate.

Since the enactment of that, over 30,000 students in the district are able to attend one of the three campuses for free. Many also get support for books. That's tuition. No tuition fee, but. But many also get support for books, other fees, transportation and more.

And with that initiative, the enrollment's up 24%, completion rates are much faster and over half the students using free college are first generation college students. So with that, I'd like to welcome some of the players that are here with us in the gallery along with coaches led by coach Tim Tolik.

First, I'll note from the women's softball team we've head coach Jacqueline Madigan, who's here with us. And from the football team we have the two players who played with my son, Emmanuel Atherton, Jayden Moss and Kilo Melgar.

And then we also have Jackson Holliday, Jeremiah Hill, Dallas Finian, Ganofo Ali Collier, Malachi Ross Grives, Quinton Togia, and our head coach, Tim Tolak. Please give them a warm round of applause. Thank you all.

Welcome to the Senate and congratulations, Members. We will now move 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 at motions, resolutions and notices.

Without objection, the Senate journals for February 23, 2026 through February 26, 2026 will be approved as corrected by the minute Clerk. And without objection, the following items will be stricken from the daily file. File items two through 50. Senator Jones, you are recognized.

Thank you, Madam President. Without objection, I request that SCR112 by Senator Grove be withdrawn from engrossing and enrolling and be referred to the Assembly floor for further action.

Thank you. The decibel note. We are now at consideration of the daily file. Second reading. File Item number one, Secretary, please read Assignment Bill 1389. Second reading will be deemed read. We will now move to Governor appointments file item 51.

Thank you, madam President. File item 51 is the confirmation of Dr. Chris Thayer. For appointment as Director for the office of environmental health hazard assessment. Prior to this role, Dr. Thayer had been serving the United States environmental protection agency. As Director of chemical and pollutant assessment division and Director of the integrated risk information system program.

She was approved by the rules Committee on January 21st. And I respectfully ask for your aye vote.

Thank you. Seeing no further discussion or debate. Secretary, please call the roll.

[Roll Call]

Ayes 29, nos. 2. The appointment is confirmed. Senator Reyes, you are recognized for file item 56.

Thank you, Madam President. Item 56 is the confirmation of Dr. Gina Castro Rodriguez for Appointment to the Board of State and Community Corrections. She's a licensed marriage and family therapist and also an assistant professor at the University of San Francisco. She is serving in the board's new position for behavioral health care provider.

She was approved by the Rules Committee on January 28th. And I respectfully ask for your aye vote.

Thank you. Seeing no further discussion or debate. Secretary, please call the roll.

[Roll Call]

Ayes 29, nos. 0. The appointment is confirmed. Senators, we are now on to Senate. Third reading file item 68, SCR125. Secretary, please read

Senate Concurrent Resolution 125 by Senator Wahab relative to Ramadan.

Senator Wahhab, you are recognized.

Thank you. I rise to present SCR 125, recognizing the beginning of the holy month of Ramadan for nearly 2 billion Muslims around the world and for the richly diverse Muslim communities here in California. Ramadan is a sacred time of fasting, prayer, reflection and service.

It's a time that calls upon people to lead with compassion, to care for neighbors, and to uplift those who are struggling. This recognition reflects the diversity of California and honors the millions of residents whose family faith traditions contribute to strengthening our identity and state here in California.

I want to be very clear at the same time, Ramadan also started this year, the same time as Lent. And it's just a wonderful moment to actually express that there are so many holidays in this great state of California that we all celebrate.

We represent so many different communities, faiths, and just people around the world that come to this great state to live their full, authentic selves in a peaceful environment. So I respectfully ask for an aye vote. I thank my colleagues for supporting this as well. Thank you.

Thank you. Senator Becker, you are recognized.

Thank you. I just want to rise personal capacity as also vice Chair of the Legislative Jewish Caucus to thank my colleague for bringing forward this Resolution.

I went to a Ramadan, an iftar dinner over the weekend, and it was just wonderful to be there with the community and to hear about, you know, what the holiday means to folks or family and service. But what was really special is we had. They had students get to speak about what the holiday meant to them.

And to hear these students talk about. One referred to as a spiritual reset. One talked about how learning discipline through fasting. One talked about gratitude through fasting. And it was just really incredible to hear what these students have experienced, what they've learned from observing the holiday of Ramadan. So I just urge my colleagues to support this resolution. Thank the author.

Thank you. Seeing no further discussion or debate. Senator Wahab, would you like to close?

Thank you. I just want to remind everybody that people who participate and also, you know, practice their faith or do not practice their faith deserve the respect from every single person. And I highlight that even, you know, we have different holidays that people celebrate. Some are well known, some are unknown.

You know, we just recently had rapper Cardi B Reference Ramadan and how she can't commit to it. So I do want to say that again, the whole effort in this community in bringing these types of resolutions to the floor is to just acknowledge the community and make sure that every single person is seen, heard, and respected in this state of California. Thank you.

Thank you, Senator Wahab. Senators, this is eligible for unanimous roll call seeing no objection. Aye 37, no 0. The resolution is adopted. Senators, we are now returning to motions and resolutions for our adjourn in memory. Senator Grayson, you are recognized for your adjourn in memory.

Thank you, Madam President. I rise to adjourn in memory of Stephen Cassidy, who passed away on December 5th at the age of 61. Mr. Cassidy was a compassionate individual, devoted public servant, and and a true advocate for the San Leandro community.

Mr. Cassidy's journey into public service began with his service as a trustee to the San Leandro Unified School District Board of education in 2004. During this. During his time on the board, he worked tirelessly to advocate for his local schools.

He led efforts to pass several major school bonds and parcel tax measures in order to improve San Leandro students, educational spaces and and resources.

Beyond his work on the school board, Mr. Cassidy continued efforts to improve academic quality through his leadership in supporting Measure B, which expanded the San Leandro High School campus, adding a new arts education center and modernizing career technical education facilities. Following his work on the school board, Mr. Cassidy was then elected as San Leandro mayor in 2010.

Over the course of his mayorship, he diligently prioritized fiscal accountability and economic development for all of San Leandro. His leadership as mayor was instrumental in the preservation of San Leandro's only acute care hospital, ensuring that families could continue to receive life saving care close to home.

He also spearheaded efforts to improve broadband accessibility throughout the city, leading the initiative to build high speed fiber optic broadband networks across the city's commercial core. His public service legacy is vast and transformational. Mr. Cassidy genuinely cared for his constituents and community deeply, tirelessly advocating for san Leandro's residence.

Mr. Cassidy only served one term as mayor despite his clear path to victory, instead choosing to devote more time with his family. Truly, he was a dedicated public servant, but an even more devoted husband and father to his daughters.

Mr. Cassidy's work and community advocacy conveyed unwavering commitment, compassion, and integrity and will be sorely missed by his friends, family, and those in San Leandro and beyond. He is survived by his wife, Amy, and their two daughters, Fiona and Maeve Williams, who have joined us in the gallery today.

Colleagues, please join me in honoring Stephen Cassidy's profound legacy. And I ask that this body adjourn in his memory.

Thank you, Senator Wahab, you are recognized.

Thank you. I want to thank the Senator for bringing this forward. I also want to share the impact that Mayor Stephen Cassidy had not only on myself, but in my district as well. He actually served, served in the Newark Chamber of Commerce, which is in my district.

The last I spoke to him was right before Halloween, and I was genuinely saddened by his loss. Stephen dedicated his life to public service with integrity, intelligence, and a deep love for his community. He was sharp, thoughtful, and quick with both insight and humor. But above all, he. He was kind.

This was the, you know, one of the conversations we had was just the future and what he wanted to do for the Chamber in the district, in a smaller city. And we shared a few laughs and caught up on a lot.

And he was so happy and optimistic about the work that he was going to be doing and the hopes he had. And I want to be very clear, he was one of the first people who supported me from the very beginning of my journey.

He believed in me more than many others did and offered encouragement and also even how to navigate tough waters. His own family, who meant everything to him. His family meant literally everything to him.

And he would always, anytime he was at an event with his dog or his family, he would always make sure to introduce us and say, hey, this is my wife, this is my daughter. You know, we're doing this.

And it was just that, that he dedicated so much of his life not only to public service, but he brought his family along and he was the most proud of his daughters and his family as a whole. And so I say that because I want to offer my deepest condolences to his family and everyone who loved him.

He touched a lot of people's lives and I just want to adjourn in his memory as well. So thank you.

Thank you, Senators Grayson and Wahab and condolences to his family. Senator, if you can please bring his name forward so that he may be properly memorialized. Senator Cortese, you are recognized for your adjourn in memory.

Thank you, Madam President. Rise today to adjourn in memory of John Joseph Zoria, who passed away on January 112026 in San Jose at the age of 77. John was born and raised in San Jose and was a longtime contributor to the community. He attended Santa Clara University in the late 60s.

He was a proud alumnus of the school and often look back on his time there fondly. It was around that time that I first met him.

He was a few years older than me, and as a teenager working in agriculture, we ended up having a friendship because his brother, his older brother Nick and my uncle John were partners in certain agricultural businesses. We ended up getting sort of dragged into that on a day to day basis working out there.

And John had been going to Santa Clara University to become a photographer. And by all accounts, he was a very good one. And I should mention he later served on the University's Board of Fellows and loved to show off the campus to friends and family. But John told me he had no interest in the farming business.

What he didn't realize at the time is tragically, his older brother Nick passed away at a pretty young age. And John was asked to take over the family business, the farming business. He became the leader of Zoria Farms, following in his father's footsteps and in fact, his grandfather's footsteps.

He was an impactful steward of his family's expanse of apricot and peach orchards in the Santa Clara and Central valleys. Now, this is the heart of Silicon Valley I'm talking about. And this business, including the piece that was in San Jose, continued well into the late 90s.

In fact, if you got off of Highway 680 at the McKee Road turn off right in the middle of commercial development in suburbia, you would see something for decades, right as you got off of the exit, a big sign that said Zoria Farms family had basically preserved their family home, and turned the surrounding property into a fruit processing plant, a dried fruit processing plant, and a market, a country store that served the community for years and years.

And John not only became the leader of that operation, but he expanded it dramatically into Brentwood, into Madera, and really let that, in some sense, take over his life. He often said to me later in his life, I still wish I could have become a photographer.

All the while, I think everyone was envious of the life that he had. For decades, Californians have been enjoying the fruits of his labor. Literally, the business became one that was shipping dried fruit, particularly all over the state of California and all over the nation.

In his free time, John loved studying history and the way his own family story intersected with the Santa Clara Valley region. He kept these histories close to his heart, often sharing family anecdotes from when his family was back in Italy. In their early days of immigrating to California, he and I served on many Italian American organization boards.

We both ended up being presidents. President of a social club called the Sons of Sicily, where I got to hear many more of John's stories as he held court, oftentimes for hours after the monthly dinners.

One of his favorite stories was the fact that when he was at James Lick High School, one of the oldest high schools in the area, not far, maybe a block or two from his family farm, his family home, he was the center for that football team, that high school football team, when Jim Plunkett was the quarterback who later went on to win a couple Super Bowls for the Los Angeles Raiders in what I used to refer to as the Oakland Raiders.

John got great pleasure out of letting people know that he was that guy. John had a talent for finding the humor in any situation and possessed a vast repertoire of jokes for all occasions. He was very good natured and gregarious. He was gregarious enough to support me, even though we were of different political parties.

He could put that aside for a friend, and he often did. He was the life of every party and brought immeasurable joy to all who knew him. My heart goes out to his widow, Nina, and his entire family, may he rest in peace. And I ask that we adjourn in his memory today. Thank you.

Thank you. Our condolences to his family. Please bring his name forward so that he may be properly memorialized. Senator Reyes, you are recognized for your adjourn in memory.

Thank you, Madam President. Colleagues arise today to honor the life and legacy of my dear friend Crystal Schoenfelder, who passed away at the Very young age of 52, passed away peacefully on November 29, 2025 after a courageous battle with cancer.

Crystal was a respected partner at Rose, Klein and Marius, where she devoted more than two decades to the practice of workers compensation law. Throughout her career, she was a tireless and compassionate advocate for injured workers. She combined deep legal knowledge with genuine care for the people she represented, ensuring that working families were treated with fairness and dignity.

Crystal was also a dedicated leader within the California Applicant's Attorneys association, where she served as a former President. In that role, she worked closely with lawmakers and stakeholders to advance meaningful reforms and that strengthened California workers compensation and the system. She was a champion for justice, for women's rights, and for equality in the legal profession.

Her advocacy helped shape policies that continue to protect and support injured workers across the state. Those of us who knew Crystal remember not only her professional excellence, but also her kindness, her mentorship, her integrity, and her quiet grace. She lifted others up and led by example.

Her passing is a profound loss to her son Gable, her parents, Marie and Les, her brother Stephan, her extended family Members, and her countless friends. She's also dearly missed by her colleagues, the broader legal community, and by me. But her legacy of service and compassion will endure, and I respectfully request that we adjourn in her memory.

Thank you, Senator. Our condolences to her family. Please be sure to bring her name forward so that she may be properly memorialized. Senator Menjivar, you are recognized for your adjourn in memory.

Thank you, Madam President. Colleagues, today I also rise to adjoin in memory of a good friend, Belinda Baragan, a lifelong resident of San Fernando and one of the preeminent Latina leaders, political strategists, and public policy experts in the state of California, who just last month, on Valentine's Day, at the young age of 57, passed away.

For over 30 years, Belinda stood at the forefront of advocating for working families and Latinos, especially Latinas, utilizing a brilliant, strategic and witty approach. Much of her work was done behind the scenes, where she taught those around her the true definition of steadfast leadership.

She was at the helm of critical moments in state history, particularly in building Latino political power. In the district that I represent right now, the San Fernando Valley, she helped elect the first Latino officials and put them into public office in the valley.

For over 15 years, she served as the founding Director of Community Engagement for Hispanics, Organized for Political Equality, or better known as hope. As regional Director for the Latino Issues Forum, she designed civic engagement strategies and mobilized grass top advocacy for regional policy. Initiatives.

At ucla, she served as assistant Director of government and community relations, securing millions of dollars in resources from this very body. But most importantly, she was a daughter, a sister, Una, Tia, a friend and a mentor. Those who knew her personally would lovingly refer to her simply as Bea.

She was a powerful leader and a beloved community Member, full of life way past her work. Belinda loved the color yellow, which is why today I honor her in that color. And she believed no one should wear sweatpants in public. But that one's a little harder for me to abide by because I love wearing sweatpants.

Belinda never left the house with her hair and makeup done to perfection. She loved animals and believed in another life, she would have been a dog groomer. Her superpower was being able to make anyone laugh. And anyone who knew her could tell you about the way her own laugh was entirely infectious.

She had a way of making any person she spoke to feel special in every conversation they had. Her friends and family truly believed that Bea was sunshine incarnate. She uplifted thousands with a leadership style that was uniquely caring, warm, funny, and love centered.

In fact, she leaves behind literally hundreds of women who will miss her leadership and dozens of mentees who benefit from her guidance.

While we feel the weight of her abrupt absence, we celebrate a woman, Una Mujer, who was foundational, who was a foundational force in building the political and civic power of our communities, and a daughter of the San Fernando Valley.

Today, we honor Bea Belinda Barragan's life, ensuring her impact and steadfast service are forever recorded in the history of the Senate in the state of California. May her spirit live on the hearts of all who knew and loved her.

Thank you, Senator Gonzalez. You are recognized.

Thank you, Madam President and Members, I rise today to adjourn in memory of Belinda Barragan, as well as, and so eloquently has been said by my colleague from San Fernando. Belinda was one of the most prominent Latina leaders. In fact, I actually credit my being here in the State Senate to her.

In 2013, I completed the Hope Leadership Institute program, which was a nine month program to get Latinas engaged into politics and not just get elected to office, but just serve on commission, serve on boards. And I was thinking in 2013 of running for office.

And so I joined the House Hispana's Leadership Institute with many other women, especially one of my Assembly colleagues at the time, Assemblymember Soria, who was also in that group with me. And we immediately were greeted by this wonderful woman named Valinda, who we all lovingly called Bea. And she was fierce.

She was unapologetic about women and Latinas taking up space and political power. She was hard and tough because she would throw you into situations even though you felt nervous and not ready. But she was brilliant and she was so very kind. And it's really unfortunate that she passed away at such a young age.

It hurt so many of us. In fact, I'm on a HOPE leadership group with so many of my friends who are watching here today. We sent the link and so many of them are so proud that we're giving her her dew and her flowers.

But she was also, as has been mentioned, played a critical role in shaping San Fernando Valley politics. A few people that you might know, she worked for now, our Senator, U.S. Senator Alex Padilla. She also worked for Tony Cardenas. She worked for Luke Correa, Richard Alarcon.

She worked for so many incredible Latinos that have shaped Los Angeles, California politics. But she wasn't just about la. She cared so much about regional equity.

And you'll see that embodied in HOPE now, ensuring that they were touching areas of Los Angeles that were not usually used to political power or the Inland Empire, and ensuring that there were leaders there and going to the Central coast and going up north and ensuring that every Latina that even thought or had a twinkle in their eye about RA running for office or being on commission had access to her.

Most importantly, on behalf of so many Hope sisters, on behalf of HLI 2013, I respectfully ask that the State Senate adjourn in Bea's memory and extend our sincere condolences to her sister who was there in her last moments, her family, friends, and the countless HOPE leadership women who she's inspired and mentored. Thank you.

Thank you, Senator Gonzalez and Menjivar, for sharing her story and her life with us. Condolences to her family and the entire community. And please be sure to bring her name forward so that she may be properly memorialized if there is no other business. Pro Tem Limon, the desk is clear.

Thank you, Members. The essence of Ramadan strengthens our bonds. It fosters our empathy and builds a more supportive community. I pray for our Muslim brothers and sisters that there is enlightenment during Ramadan. And thank everyone who supported this, including the author. And with that, we will be.

Our next regularly scheduled floor session will be Thursday, March 5, 2026 at 9:00am thank you.

The Senate is in recess until 3:30pm at which time adjournment motion will be made. We will reconvene Thursday, March 5, 2026 at 9.