April 20, 2026 · Floor · 5,333 words · 6 speakers · 53 segments
Thank you. Thank you. Thank you Thank you. Thank you. Thank you Thank you. Thank you. Thank you Thank you. Thank you. Thank you Thank you. Thank you. Thank you Thank you. Thank you. Thank you Thank you. Thank you. . . Thank you. Thank you. The Assembly is now in session. Assemblymember Davies notices the absence of a quorum. Sergeant at Arms will prepare the chamber, bring in the absent members. Clerk will call the roll. Addis, Agra Curry, Ahrens, Alanis, Alvarez, Arambula, Avila Thaddeus, Baines, Barra Cahan, Bennett, Berman, Berner, Bonta, Bryan, Calderon, Colosa, Carrillo, Castillo, Chen, Connelly, Davies, DeMaio, Dixon, El Huari, Ellis, Flora, Fong, Gabriel, Gallagher, Garcia, Gibson, Jeff Gonzalez, Mark Gonzalez, Hadwick, Haney, Harbidian, Hart, Hoover, Irwin, Jackson, Johnson, Kara, Krell, Lackey, Lee, Lowenthal, Macedo, McKenna, Marisucci, Nguyen, Ortega, Pacheco, Pappin, Patel, Patterson, Pellerin, Petrie Norris, Quirk Silva, Ramos, Ransom, Celeste Rodriguez, Michelle Rodriguez, Rogers, Rubio, Sanchez, Chiavo, Schultz, Sharp Collins, Solache, Soria, Stephanie, Ta, Tangipa, Valencia, Wallace, Ward, Wicks, Wilson, Zabur.
Mr. Speaker. Thank you
Thank you. Thank you. Thank you Thank you. Thank you. Thank you Thank you. Thank you. . Thank you. Thank you. members a quorum is present members today we are going our run of show is going to be a little bit different without objection we will defer the prayer and pledge a little later we'll be later in the session to our guests and visitors today state law prohibits persons in the chamber from interfering with legislative proceedings or disrupting the orderly conduct of official business. Persons disrupting legislative proceedings are subject to removal, arrest, or other appropriate legal remedies. Reading of the previous day's journal. Assembly chamber Sacramento, Wednesday, March 25th, 2026. The assembly met at 7 a.m. The Honorable Leticia Castillo, Assemblymember Majority Leader Aguiar Curry moves and Ms. Sanchez seconds that the reading of the previous day's journal be dispensed with. Presentations and petitions, there are none. Introduction and reference of bills will be deferred. Reports of committees will be deemed read and amendments deemed adopted. Messages from the governor, there are none. Messages from the Senate, there are none. Moving on to motions and resolutions. The absence of the day are as follows. For legislative business, Assemblymember Ward. From maternity leave, Assemblymember Celeste Rodriguez. Thank you members.
Happy Monday.
Thank you, members. Decorum, take your desks if you could.
Thank you. Appreciate you.
Okay, we are going on to procedural motions. Again, we are a little bit different run of show today.
Okay.
Madam Majority Leader, you are recognized.
Mr. Speaker, I request unanimous consent to suspend Assembly Rule 118A to allow Assembly Member Schultz to have guests on the floor, to allow Assembly Members Lowenthal Haney Johnson Coloza Hadwick Elanese and Sharp and Ta to have guests in the rear of the chamber and to allow Assemblymember Pacheco to have a guest seated at her desk today
Without objection, such shall be the order.
Pursuant to Assembly Rule 96, I request unanimous consent to re-refer the following bills to the committee. A.B. 1768, Bryant, from the local government committee to the Reverend Tax Committee, then back to the local government committee. And AB 2016 Jeff Gonzalez from the Revenue and Taxation Committee to the Environmental Safety and Toxic Materials Committee.
Without objection, such shall be the order.
I request unanimous consent to suspend Joint Rule 62, the file notice requirement to allow the following committees to set the following bills. Transportation Committee to set AB 2595 PAPID for their hearing today, Monday the 20th, April 20th. Privacy and Consumer Protection Committee to notice AB 2285 Valencia for their hearing on Tuesday, April 21st. Appropriations to notice AB 1919 Pellerin for their hearing on Wednesday, April 22nd. Utilities and Energy Committee to notice AB 2518 Sharp Collins for their hearing on Wednesday, April 22nd. And Water Parks and Wildlife Committee to notice AB 1972 Patterson for their hearing on Thursday, April 23rd.
Okay. Assemblymember Sanchez, you are recognized.
We object and ask for a roll call vote.
Assemblymember Sanchez asked for a roll call vote. Upon objection, a clerk will open the roll. Excuse me. I did not call out a second by Assemblymember Ta. Or Assemblymember Ottega, excuse me. All members vote who desire to vote. all members vote who desire to vote majority leaders asking for an aye vote Sanchez is asking for a no vote the vote is for everybody's information the vote is on the motion made by the majority leader you made an objection so we're doing a roll call vote on the on on the motion itself. All members vote who desire to vote. The majority leader is asking for an aye vote. Ms. Sanchez is asking for a no vote. Clerk will close the roll, tally votes. Ayes 41, noes 14, the motion carries. Assembly member DeMaio, you are recognized.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Pursuant to rule 98, I move to strike AB 2624, the Stop Nick Shirley Act from the file.
Okay, Mr. DeMaio, that motion is not on file, it's in committee, that motion is out of order.
Pursuant to Rule 97, I move to withdraw from all committees AB 2624.
Just a moment, Mr. DeMaio. Is there a second on your motion?
Seconded by Mr. Tangipa.
Just a moment, Mr. DeMaio. Just a moment Mr DeMaio Thank you. I thank you for your patience sir members this is not a debatable motion this is a motion to suspend the rules which are off from committee bring the bill to the floor directly it takes 41 votes the clerk will open the roll mr. DeMaio is asking for an aye vote the majority leader is asking for a no vote all members vote who desire to vote all members vote who desire to vote all members vote who desire to vote the majority leader is asking for a no vote mr de mayo is asking for an aye vote all members vote who desire to vote clerk will close the roll tally the votes ayes 14 nos 44 the motion fails members we're going to be moving on to guest introductions i i will kick this off i am looking for st francis high school are you here in the house st francis let's get you back to the rear of the chamber st francis members please direct your attention to the rear of the chamber high school students from St. Francis High School here in Sacramento are part of the LaDiDoSea movement, which advocates for environmental stewardship. The rear of the chamber are Melania Ebert, Angeline Gonzalez, Momina Naisi, Sarah Ramos-Lasso, and Mackenzie Thomas. Please welcome them to the Capitol. Thank you Okay continuing on System Majority Leader Garcia, you are recognized for your guest introduction.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Members, it is my honor to introduce my family and friends visiting us here in Sacramento. My aunt Mary Lou Taylor is a 26 year dispatcher at Riverside County Sheriff's Office. My other aunt Maria Cordero is a proud Loma Linda University graduate and works as a radiology technologist in the Inland Empire. My cousin Andrew Magallanes is also a proud Loma Linda University graduate and is a registered nurse in Loma Linda. Taylor Predmore, close friend, was born in Redlands and works for California Office of Emergency Services. And Ryan Crow, my best friend and college roommate, is also here as a TV producer at Cisco. I am very thankful for my family and friends, and I am continually grateful for their support. Members, please join me in welcoming my guests to the California State Assembly. Welcome, welcome.
Okay, continuing on, Assemblymember Stephanie, you are recognized for your guest introduction.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and good afternoon, colleagues. Today I am pleased to recognize students from St. Ignatius College Preparatory High School in San Francisco who are joining us up there in the gallery. Welcome. And welcome to Chad Evans, the campus minister. Now, this welcoming is especially important since my children attend their rival high school, Sacred Heart Cathedral Preparatory. I have to say, go Irish, but also go Wildcats. So I'm so glad you're here today and keep interested in our local government and what's happening at the state. Your voices matter. Thank you so much for coming to Sacramento, and I look forward to seeing you in the future. And I'm really sad that you won the Bruce Mahoney, but again, go Wildcats. Let's go Wildcats.
Members, before we get to the next guest introduction, I spy out of the corner of my eye, retired Assemblymember Reggie Joyn-Sawyer in the back of the chamber. We miss you, Reggie. We miss your floor speeches, Reggie. Thank you, members. Assemblymember Hadwick, you are recognized for your guest introduction.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Members, it is my honor to introduce a distinguished leader whose work sits at the intersection of higher education, workforce development, and one of California's most vital industries, agriculture. With us in the rear of the chamber is Dr. Steve Perez, president of California State University Chico. As we celebrate California Agriculture Day, it's fitting that we are joined by a leader whose institution has long been a cornerstone of agricultural innovation and education in Northern California. As my alma mater and also the Wildcats, Chico State is home to one of the top agricultural programs in the nation, preparing the next generation of farmers, ranchers, agribusiness leaders, and natural resource stewards. Under President Perez's leadership, Chico State continues to strengthen its commitment to hands-on learning, applied research, and partnership. with local agricultural communities. From sustainable farming practices to water management and food production, the university plays a critical role in advancing solutions to the challenges facing California agriculture today. For many of us who represent rural districts, we know firsthand the importance of institutions like Chico State, not just as centers of learning, but as engines of economic growth and opportunity for our communities. President Perez, thank you for your leadership, your partnership, and your dedication to students and to California agriculture. Mr. Speaker and members, please join me in giving President Perez a warm welcome to the California State Capitol. Thank you.
Thank you. Okay, members, one final guest introduction. Assemblymember Ta, you are recognized for your guest introduction.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Members, thank you, Mr. Speaker. and members of the RISE recognize and warmly welcome our honor guest, Deputy Director General John Chu of Taiwan and Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in San Francisco, Deputy Council General Taheshi Ishihara of Japan and San Francisco, and Kajiro Hora, Executive Director of Japanese Chamber of Commerce of Northern California. His honored guest symbolizes the strength of Californians' relationship with the nation of the sea. On behalf of California State Assembly, I'd like to extend our sincere welcome and appreciation for your work and for joining us on California State Assembly floor today. So, Mr. Speaker and members, please join me in giving our guests a warm California welcome. Welcome. Welcome to the California Assembly.
Thank you Thank you. Thank you. Thank you, members. Happy Monday. We have another guest introduction. Dr. Sharp-Collins, you are recognized for your guest introduction.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today I have the honor of introducing the NAACP Youth Council branches of San Diego and also Oceanside. But keep in mind there are many other branches that are here today as a part of the NAACP California Hawaii State Conference Day here at the Capitol. Here with me right now to represent San Diego and Oceanside is Kiera, Kendra, Taya, Adara, Tracy, and their chaperone, Joyce McBride. Everyone, please help me welcome our NAACP youth that are here from San Diego and Oceanside, but there's also a host of others that are in the gallery that are from across the state of California. Thank you.
Thank you Thank you. Thank you. introduction. We're going to ask Mr. Elanis to do a guest introduction before we move on to our Armenian Genocide Remembrance Ceremony. But before I do that, will you please join me in welcoming former Assemblymember, former Speaker Pro Tem, current Board of Equalization member Sally Liebert is on the floor. You're welcome to get back up here and finish off the session if you'd like. Okay, members. One last guest introduction, then I'm going to ask you to take your desks, members. You can take conversations off the floor. Assemblymember Alanis, you're recognized for your guest introduction.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As you guys all know, I represent Assembly District 22, and we have a large representation of Armenians. in that community from Turlock. And I'm proud to introduce some of those who have taken the time today to be with us. Up in the gallery, I have Deacon Daniel and his friend Arsene. Please stand up over there. And in the back of the chambers, I have his daughter, Mary Ann and Martine. Thank you guys for being here today. Let's give a round of applause. Thank you.
Okay, members, thank you. It is time for our Armenian Genocide Remembrance Ceremony. Please take your desks. We ask our guests and visitors in the rear of the chamber and in the gallery to please stand for today's prayer and flag salute. in honor of the assembly's armenian genocide remembrance ceremony the day's prayer will be offered by our guest chaplain father yegishe kasachikian
father kasachikian thank you mr speaker Almighty God on this day of remembrance for the Armenian genocide martyrs we pause to honor the lives lost and the enduring spirit of a people who faced unimaginable suffering. May their courage and resilience inspire us to stand against injustice wherever it may arise, and to speak truth with clarity and conviction. Bless the members of this assembly and their loved ones. Grant us the wisdom to lead our communities with sincerity, integrity, and a steadfast commitment to justice. May our words and actions reflect fairness, compassion, and a dedication to the dignity of every human life. Let the unwavering fate and courage of the genocide martyrs guide us to live with conviction, to serve one another with humility, and to act with compassion in all that we do. Remove all barriers so that we may see clearly, recognize where change is needed, and respond with courage and wisdom. May our service be whole, our hearts steadfast, and our efforts guided by the principles of justice and mercy. Today, as we remember the Armenian Genocide, we honor not only those who perished, but also the survivors and their descendants, whose perseverance teaches us the power of hope, the strength of memory, and the necessity of bearing witness. May their legacy inspire all of us to work tirelessly for peace, human dignity, and the protection of all communities against hatred and oppression. Amen. Thank you.
Please present the colors. Assemblymember Harbidian will lead us in the Pledge of Allegiance. Members and guests, please place your right hand over your heart and repeat after me. I pledge allegiance. To the flag of the United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands, one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. The color guard is dismissed. Members and guests, you may be seated. Thank you. Okay, members. Thank you so much. I appreciate your patience. We're actually going to skip through at this moment directly into, actually we'll move into business on the daily file. We'll do the second reading, file items 1 through 18. The clerk will read. Assembly Bill 2784, 2052, 2148, 2341, 2509 with amendments, 2651 with amendments, 2261 with amendments, 1902 with amendments, 2108 with amendments, 2428 with amendments, 2683 with amendments, 1914 with amendments, 2083 with amendments, 2423, 1789 with amendments, 2325 with amendments, 2348 with amendments, and Assembly Bill 2324 with amendments. 324 with amendments all bills we've deemed read all amendments will be deemed adopted on the concurrence and send amendments file item 19 we're going to pass and retain on reconsideration file items 20 through 22 all items shall be continued that brings us uh to the the assembly third reading file without objection we're going to move on to item number 48 that is house resolution 97 for the assembly's commemoration of the 111th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. The clerk will read. House Resolution 97 by Assemblymember Schultz and others relative to the Armenian Genocide. Thank you, members. Members, can you please take conversations off the floor? Assemblymember Schultz, you are recognized.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker and members. I rise today to present House Resolution 97, a resolution of remembrance, one that asks us all to not only look back, but to bear witness to the truth. We gather today in this hallowed chamber to commemorate the Armenian Genocide, and let's be clear about what it was, a systematic and premeditated campaign of violence and murder orchestrated by the Ottoman Turkish Empire. On Thursday in my district and across this great state and frankly across the globe we will mark a solemn occasion The Armenian Genocide began on April 24th 1915 and led to the deaths of more than 1 million Armenians over eight long and horrific years. The lives lost, and I mentioned this last year, 1.5 million, it's an astounding number. It's easy to say, but when we really think about what that means, these were mothers and fathers, sisters and brothers, murdered. Hundreds of thousands of Assyrians, Greeks, and Christians also perished, and one of the most atrocious violations of human rights in our global history. But colleagues, this is not merely a matter of distant history. It's a human story. It's a story of families uprooted, of cultures nearly erased, of voices that were silenced but never forgotten. Survivors carried their memories across generations, building new lives and new places while holding on to the truth of what they endured. Their resilience is extraordinary. It is one of the things that I admire most about the Armenian American community and a source of strength and inspiration for me every day. But it doesn't diminish the gravity of what was lost. Why are we here today? Why does this matter? We're gathered together in recognition of the 111th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide because remembrance is not a passive act. It's an act of responsibility. When we acknowledge these atrocities honestly and wholeheartedly, we affirm a simple but powerful principle. That human dignity is non-negotiable and that truth must never yield to convenience or to denial. As a legislative body and as elected officials, it is our duty to ensure that our nation and our world recognize the genocide and the countless lives lost during this dark chapter of our history. And let's be extraordinarily clear, Turkey and its ally Azerbaijan continue to this day to deny that the Armenian genocide ever took place. Members of our own government at its highest levels have downplayed this atrocity, referring to it merely as a great catastrophe. Shameful. Denying the atrocities, remaining silent, or even intentionally avoiding the use of the word genocide to describe this historical event is tantamount to complicity. Silence invites reoccurrence. Please allow me to be clear. This resolution doesn't seek to reopen old wounds. It seeks to ensure that the pain of the Armenian-American community is not ignored. It stands against the erosion of historical memory and against conditions that allowed such crimes to occur in the first place and be repeated to this day. History has shown us again and again that silence can be a partner to injustice, and we must choose differently. In recognizing the Armenian Genocide, colleagues, we honor the victims, we stand with their descendants, and we reinforce a commitment that extends beyond any single community, a fundamental principle that the deliberate destruction of a people anywhere is a concern for people everywhere. In closing, let this resolution be more than mere words on paper. Let it be a statement of who we are and what we are willing to defend. Let it remind us that the measure of our time in public office, in service to the public, is not only what we achieve, but it's what we're willing to remember, to acknowledge, and to confront. Because if we fail to remember, we risk repeating mistakes of the past. But if we choose to remember clearly and courageously and without compromise, we strengthen the foundation of justice itself. I urge my colleagues to support this resolution and in doing so affirm that memory matters truth matters and humanity must always come first I respectfully at the appropriate time Mr Speaker ask for your aye vote on H 97 and that the first roll be open for co
Thank you, Assemblymember Schultz. Assemblymember Spohr, you are recognized.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker, members. First of all, I want to thank my colleague from Burbank for bringing this important resolution today. As a member representing Historic Little Armenia near Hollywood, it is my honor to stand in strong support of this resolution, a clear and strong statement that the Armenian people do not stand alone and that the state of California stands with you. Today, we remember the 1.5 million Armenian men, women, and children who were intentionally and systematically murdered through massacres, forced labor, and death marches in an attempt to destroy an entire people. Over a century has passed since the Armenian Genocide, yet Turkey and Azerbaijan still deny basic historical facts. This refusal has helped pave the way for continued and profound injustice, including Azerbaijan's ethnic cleansing of Armenians from Artsakh in 2023. HR 97 expresses both California's recognition of the horrors of the Armenian genocide and our unwavering solidarity with the people of Armenia and Armenians in the diaspora, including in our state. This resolution also underscores the immense strength and resilience of the Armenian people. The survivors and their descendants around the world have carried that history forward, proudly maintaining their culture, traditions, and language in the diaspora and restoring the Armenian nation. Today, as some in the United States look to ignore, deny, or rewrite chapters of American history, it is more important than ever to make clear that we stand for the truth. This resolution assures Armenian Americans that, in the face of over a century of denial, California remains on the right side of history. I respectfully request your support for H.R. 97. Thank you very much.
Thank you, Assemblymember Spohr. Assemblymember Ramos, you are recognized.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As chair of the California Legislative Native American Caucus, I rise in support of H.R. 97, commemorating the genocide of the Armenian people. Genocide is not a term to be used lightly. It specifically refers to the state-sanctioned attempt to exterminate a group of people. The Armenians lost 1.5 million people in a slaughter by Turkish rulers of the Ottoman Empire starting on April 24, 1950. Mass deportations, forced religious conversions, and ethnic cleansing were also practiced by that empire. These are the crimes against humanity suffered by the Armenian people, which began more than a century ago. the state of California also sanctioned the killing of California Indian people, and it serves as a reminder that we do not have to look too far to see these atrocities, these horrific actions taken by a government. And we can only stop these acts of humanity by standing together, united in solidarity with one another. The attempt to wipe out a group of people because of one identity is never forgotten and becomes a permanent part of one core It is my hope that Armenians one day receive acknowledgement and an apology from the Turkish government who oppressed them and brought the slaughter towards them with the genocide that took place. And a time comes when we stand together and we move forward in this world for apologies, apologies going out to those that were harmed. It's not about rewriting history. It's about getting history right and making sure that people truly understand that we stand side by side with you within these horrific acts that have been taken out against people. The Native American Legislative Caucus stands in solidarity with you.
Thank you, Assemblymember Ramos. Assemblymember Tangipa, you are recognized.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and I too rise in support of HR 97. A year ago, I shared the story of how I was in an Armenian wedding a few years. Then I was at an Armenian baptism for that baby, Bedros Babagian. And to announce again today, there was another new baby, Nezrin Babagian, that is a testament to what the Armenian people stand for and what it means by remembering this genocide isn't just recognizing the atrocities that have been done in the past, but recognizing the success for those who made the trek, who fought against the oppression, and who arrived here in the United States to live the American dream. The state of California is rooted in Armenian history, and even though I get to represent the second largest Armenian population, that Glenda Historical Society has a special quote that starts in the beginning, that when the first Armenians arrived here, there were three brothers that arrived in Fresno. Those three brothers worked together to bring agriculture and farming and founded a town named Yedem, which stands for the Garden of Eden, right here in the Central Valley. It is the only town in the entire United States named after Armenian and the Armenian language. That was where I was at for the wedding, was in Yerim. And our history is connected to them. And I rise just to share that as we see the Armenian community right now needs support. And the ones here that came to celebrate the American dream is still alive today. We recognize the Armenian genocide. And while some will not say the words genocide, we do. And we recognize it. Thank you.
Thank you. Assemblymember Tangipa. Assemblymember Kaloza, you are recognized. Thank you, Mr. Speaker and
members. Today I rise in strong support of H.R. 97, designating April 24, 2026 as a day of commemoration of the 111th anniversary of the Armenian genocide. I want to begin by thanking my colleague from Burbank, who is also my neighbor and represents Glendale. Together, we represent Glendale for putting this critical piece of legislation forward, as well as for my colleague from Pasadena for his leadership as chair of the Armenian Legislative Caucus. I also want to thank all the members of the Armenian community who are here today, who took time out of their busy schedules to be with us at the Capitol, so that together we could uplift the voices and stories of Armenian families both here and across the globe. As we heard, over 100 in the years ago, the world witnessed one of the most horrific atrocities of the 20th century, the Armenian Genocide. Between 1915 and 1923, more than 1.5 million Armenians, along with thousands of Assyrians and Greeks, were systematically prosecuted, forcibly displaced, and killed by the Ottoman Empire. This was not an accident of history. It was a deliberate attempt to erase an entire nation. This history is deeply personal to so many in our state because, as we know, California is home to one of the largest Armenian communities in the world, and I'm so proud to represent one of the largest Armenian communities in the state. Armenian diaspora is not only impacted by the Armenian genocide, but in so many ways is shaped by it. Their story is not just about loss, but it's about survival and resilience. In my district, I've seen firsthand how our Armenian community carries forward the strength and resilience of this history. In Glendale, we have great Armenian schools, churches, small businesses, cultural centers that contribute to our state every single day And as Californians we must do more than believe in dignity truth and justice we must act upon it Because as we know Armenian history is American history So today let us remember and stand with the families and survivors and all that they have lost. And respectfully ask for your aye vote on H.R. 97. Thank you.
Thank you, Assemblymember Kaloza. Assemblymember Marc Gonzalez, you are recognized.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am honored to rise in support of H.R. 97, which recognizes Friday, April 24, 2026, as the 111th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. Assembly District 54 is home to the oldest and largest memorial of the Armenian Genocide in the state of California. Located prominently in the city of Montebello, this monument was built in 1968, and every year on April 24, thousands of Armenians from all across Los Angeles come to remember this horrendous crime against humanity. This monument is tall, and it's hard to miss, but that's the point. monuments should force you to contemplate their existence and what they stand for. Its eight 75-foot columns are a powerful reminder of the horrors committed during the Armenian genocide where over 1.5 million people were murdered and over 1 million are displaced. But it's also a testament to the strength and resiliency of the Armenian community that has survived and continues to survive against new threats of genocide and ethnic cleansing. I want to thank my colleagues from Burbank and Pasadena for bringing this resolution forward and I proud to stand alongside my colleagues as we recognize this day Thank you Assemblymember Gonzalez
Assemblymember Alanis, you are recognized. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Members, as a proud member of the California Armenian Legislative Caucus and a co-author of HR 97, I rise today in solemn recognition of the Armenian genocide. More than one million Armenians were lost to violence, displacement, and suffering that should never have happened. Behind those numbers are families, traditions, and entire communities that were forever changed. Today is about more than history. It is about memory, about honoring those who were taken and standing with those who carry that loss across generations. In Assembly District 22, especially in Turlock, I am honored to represent a large and enduring Armenian community whose history and resilience are deeply woven into our region and strongly supported by dedicated local leaders. Local leaders such as Deacon Daniel Idien, a respectful, faithful leader and trusted advocate whose leadership has helped sustain and strengthen the Armenian community in our region. We are happy to have them with us today Also with us today are other family members that I introduced earlier But in California we are so proud to stand alongside a strong and resilient Armenian community recognizing this truth matters to them and to all of us who believe that dignity, justice, and the human life must always be defended. We remember, we acknowledge, and we stand together. And I respectfully ask for your support. Thank you.
Thank you, Assemblymember Alanis. Assemblymember Harpidian, you are recognized.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I rise today with a profound sense of duty and honor and thanks for this resolution, H.R. 97. I want to thank my friend and colleague from Burbank for bringing it and speaking so forcefully and eloquently. And for everyone who stood up and spoke, one of the highlights every year is getting to hear non-Armenians try to pronounce Armenian names. And I'll tell you, it's very difficult. You always think there should be more vowels and there's just too many consonants,
but I appreciate the bravery of standing up and trying to do it. And every Armenian here feels for you in trying to do it, but really thanks you for trying to do it. And let me just say that in all seriousness, it means so much as the only Armenian in the legislature to have so many non-Armenian allies. You know, we can't do this on our own. No one can do anything on their own.