Photo Gallery

Gardena-based Okinawa Association of America New Year's Celebration!

Providing community for generations of Okinawan Americans, this wonderful organization was my 2023 Nonprofit of the Year.

Had a great meeting with California Federation of Teachers representatives in Sacramento yesterday.

We discussed their legislative priorities, such as CTE teachers, climate resiliency for schools, technology in education, and the Governor’s January proposed budget.

Beautiful Saturday at Gardena's 41st Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Parade. Thank you to the City of Gardena and the MLK, Jr. Cultural Committee for continuing this great South Bay tradition honoring a man who fought for justice and civil rights for all. Great to see Congresswomen Maxine Waters and Barbara Lee as well as the Gardena City Council!

I attended a press conference hosted by the California Contract Cities Association about retail theft in California.

I will re-introduce a bill this session to hold repeat retail offenders accountable.  Last session, I introduced AB 1708, which would have allowed a felony or misdemeanor charge for any person with two or more convictions for theft-related offenses and who is subsequently convicted of petty theft or shoplifting.

Most Californians support amending Prop 47 and desire a balanced approach to address retail theft.

Celebrated with the El Segundo Unified School District (ESUSD), City of El Segundo - Government and community at the dedication ceremony of Richmond Street School Six Classroom Building. A $15 million dollar project standing at 7,500 square feet, it truly takes a community to make such a monumental endeavor happen. Congratulations to ESUSD and the El Segundo community once again!

Recently, I met with Redondo Beach Mayor Bill Brand and Mr. Yoshimasa Kamiya, who was visiting from the city of Itoman on the island of Okinawa, Japan. He is the Vice-Director of Itoman City Administration, which is the sister city of Redondo Beach. I had the honor of speaking with him and exchanging tokens of appreciation.

We have a youth mental health crisis in America. As Assembly Education Committee Chair, I recently did a study tour of a Santa Clara County Student Mental Health Wellness Center in Gilroy.

I learned about the importance of a school site-based program that educates all kids about taking care of their mental health, to prevent illness rather than wait for the need for drop in treatment. This approach involves all students and helps remove any stigma of seeking help. Santa Clara County has 22 school site-based wellness centers.

Thanks, Mark Hansen, for the invitation.

Recently visited LAUSD's Dorsey High School to learn about their AP African American Studies program. Inspired to see students critically engaging in subject matter they can relate to Dorsey High School is the only California public school offering AP African American Studies.

Handed out free turkeys to families in need. Thank you to co-hosts Boys & Girls Club of San Pedro and California Water Service.