GOOD AFTERNOON LADIES AND
GENTLEMEN.
COULD WE HAVE OUR DISTINGUISHED
GUESTS TAKE THEIR SEATS
GLAD TO SEE WE CONTINUE TO BE
AS ROWDY AS EVER.
BUT I WOULD LIKE TO WELCOME ALL
OF YOU TO THE SENATE CHAMBER FOR
TODAY'S FLOOR SESSION.
IT'S VERY CLEAR FROM THE NOISE
XIN IN THIS ROOM THAT YOU ARE AS
EXCITED. AS I AM TO BE HERE AT
THIS HISTORIC MOMENT.
AS ONE OF THE MORE SENIOR AT
LEAST IN AGE MEMBERS OF THIS
HOUSE.
THIS IS A DAY THAT IS LONG IN
COMING.
INDEED THE OFFICE OF PRESIDENT
PRO TEMPORE A. DATES BACK TO
EIGHTEEN FORTY NINE.
BEFORE EVEN THE SENATOR BURTON
WAS BORN.
I'M SO I COULDN'T HELP MYSELF.
EIGHTEEN FORTY NINE ALMOST A
YEAR BEFORE CALIFORNIA BECAME A
STATE.
TODAY.
WE MAKE HISTORY.
AND SHATTER ANOTHER GLASS
CEILING AS THE SENATE ELECTS ITS
FIRST FEMALE PRESIDENT PRO TEM
POURING
.
ENDED UP.
PLEASE DON'T SIT DOWN BECAUSE
TODAY WE ARE ALSO ELECTING THE
FOR.
G. B. T. PRESIDENT PRO TEMPORE
.
WE HOPE OUR DAUGHTERS.
IN OUR GRANDDAUGHTERS ARE
WATCHING.
AS OUR NEW SENATE LEADER. IS
ESCORTED BY A GROUP OF FEMALE
SENATORS.
AS HER OATH OF OFFICE IS
ADMINISTERED BY OUR FEMALE CHIEF
JUSTICE AS WOMEN LEADERS SIT
HERE BEHIND US ON THE DYESS AND
IN THE AS THE INVOCATION. IS
GIVEN BY A FEMALE RABBI.
WE HAVE COME A LONG WAY.
INTO ALL THE GIRLS OUT THERE IN
TO OUR.
SISTERS ARE DAUGHTERS OR GRAND
DAUGHTERS.
NEVER DIE OUT NEVER DOUBT THAT
YOU TOO CAN ACHIEVE YOUR DREAMS
TODAY WE ARE SEEING LIVING PROOF
OF THAT RIGHT HERE IN THE GREAT
STATE OF CALIFORNIA. BEFORE WE
BEGAN.
I WOULD LIKE TO INTRODUCE OUR
SPECIAL GUESTS WHO HAVE JOINED
US TO SHARE IN THIS VERY SPECIAL
OCCASION.
THIS IS TRUST QUITE A MOMENT AND
I THANK ALL OF YOU FOR BEING
HERE AND PARTICULARLY OUR
SPECIAL GUESTS LIEUTENANT
GOVERNOR GAVIN NEWSOM.
SPEAKER ANTHONY RENDON OWN.
WELL A BIT HE.
CHIEF JUSTICE PENNY COUNTY OSAKA
AWAY.
AND COMING IN RIGHT ON CUE.
INSURANCE COMMISSIONER DAVE
JONES.
ALSO WITH US PRESIDENT PRO
TEMPORE EMERITUS JOHN BRANTON.
BILL LOCKYER.
MAYOR DARRELL STEINBERG.
SPEAKERS EMERITUS JOHN HAY
PARENS.
AND A VACANCY FOR WILLIE BROWN
WHO MAY OR MAY NOT
MAKE AN ENTRANCE.
WE ALSO HAVE WITH US SECRETARY
JOHN LAYERED.
SENATOR CHRISTINE CHEMO.
JULIE.
IT'S NOT.
SURE APPEAL GORE.
NEW CABIN DINNER.
ZARA MOTHERHOOD PARTNER SPOUSE
JENNIFER LET'S SHAWNNA.
CONSUMER FATHER.
SUPPOSE JENNIFER.
THEN SUPERIOR COURT SHOULD DIEGO
SUPERIOR COURT JUSTICES PETER
DEAD A DAVID RUBIN AND PAUL
ROBESON STAYING.
AND WITH THAT MISTER SECRETARY
PLEASE CALL THE ROLL.
ALAN ANDERSEN ATKINS BATES.
BELL.
LEYVA
MCGUIRE MITCHELL MONNING MORE
LOCKED.
MORRELL.
NEWMAN.
NGUYEN.
NIELSEN PAN.
PORTANTINO. ROTH.
SKINNER.
STERN.
STONE. BIDAK Y. COUNTY WINNER
WILK.
COLLEAGUES A QUORUM IS PRESENT
AND WITHOUT OBJECTION A GAS
PHOTOGRAPHER WILL BE ALLOWED ON
THE SENATE FLOOR IT FOR TODAY'S
SESSION. AND SENATE RULE FIFTY
FIVE WILL BE SUSPENDED. AT THIS
POINT TIME WITH THE MEMBERS AND
OUR GUESTS BEYOND THE RAIL AND
IN THE GALLERY PLEASE RISE.
WE WILL BE LEAD IN PRAYER THIS
MORNING BY OUR GUEST CHAPLAIN
RABBI LAURIE KASKI. WHO ALSO
THIRTY YEARS AGO DID THE NAMING
OF MY VERY OWN DAUGHTER IN SAN
DIEGO?
RABBI KASKI WILL GIVE US THE.
LEAD US IN PRAYER AFTER WHICH
PLEASE REMAIN STANDING WE WILL
BE LED IN THE PLEDGE OF
ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG BY
SENATOR MCGUIRE.
I REMEMBER WHEN TONI ATKINS WITH
A MEMBER OF THE SAN DIEGO CITY
COUNCIL.
HE AGREED TO PUT FORWARD AND
SPONSOR THE LIVING WAGE
INITIATIVE.
AFFECTING THE CITY OF SAN DIEGO
CONTRACTED WORKERS.
IN THOSE DAYS THE ORDINANCE WAS
BRAVE. AMBITIOUS.
AND OPPOSED BY SO MANY.
AT THE TIME I WONDERED SENATOR
ATKINS.
WHY YOU ARE SO COMMITTED TO
ALLEVIATING POVERTY?
THAT AS A POLITICIAN.
HE WOULD TAKE THE RISK OF
ALIENATING THE POWER STRUCTURE
OF OUR CITY.
AND THEN YOU OPENED YOUR MOUTH.
YOU SAID WHO YOU ARE AND WHERE
YOU COME FROM.
SHARING THAT YOU WERE BORN INTO
POVERTY.
YOUR FATHER WAS A MINER AND YOUR
MOTHER A SEAMSTRESS.
I NEW GREW UP IN A HOME WITHOUT
RUNNING WATER IN RURAL VIRGINIA.
YOU SPOKE IT SLOWLY.
SO THAT THE PACKED COUNCIL
CHAMBERS WOULD UNDERSTAND.
YOUR PROFOUND COMMITMENT TO THE
WORKING POOR.
IN THAT MOMENT I HEARD AND SAW
AND WITNESSED
WHAT ALL PEOPLE SEE ABOUT YOU.
AND THAT IS YOUR COMPLETE
AUTHENTICITY AND UNCOMPROMISING
INTEGRITY.
OVER THE EIGHT LAST EIGHTEEN
YEARS IN ELECTED OFFICES YOU
HAVE PERSONALLY CHAMPIONED
INITIATIVES AND LET THE
LEGISLATION.
THAT HAVE BENEFITTED SO MANY
REAL PEOPLE REAL FAMILIES AND
COMMUNITIES.
AND YOU HAVE BEEN A TRUSTED
PARTNER BESIDE YOUR COLLEAGUES
IN EVERY OFFICE IN WHICH YOU
HAVE SERVED.
YOU ARE SO MUCH MORE THAN A
TRAILBLAZER. SO MUCH MORE THAN A
TRUE LEADER AND SO MUCH MORE
THAN OUR WONDER WOMAN.
YOU ARE A PUBLIC SERVANT WITH
THE SERVANT'S HEART
EXTENDED TOWARD THOSE IN NEED.
SUMMING SUMMONING ALL OF YOUR
ENERGY.
CREATE MEANINGFUL PROGRESS FOR
THOSE WHO DEPEND ON YOU.
THIS AFTERNOON WE COME HERE WITH
HEARTS.
FULL AND DEEPLY THANKFUL FOR ALL
THE GIFTS THAT WE HAVE.
WE ARE THANKFUL FOR THOSE WHO
HELPED SENATOR ATKINS ARRIVE AT
THIS HISTORIC MOMENT.
HER SISTER TINA AND NEPHEW
TOMMY.
HER SPOUSE JENNIFER. AND IN LAWS
JACK AND KATE.
AND OF COURSE HER MENTOR AND
FRIEND.
FORMER SENATOR CHRISTINE KEYHOE.
WE ARE THANKFUL FOR ARE GOVERNOR
AND YOUR COLLEAGUES IN THE
SENATE AND THE ASSEMBLY WHOSE
HEARTS ARE REALLY OVERFLOWING
WITH PRIDE AND GLADNESS IN THIS
VERY DAY.
WE COME HERE INSPIRED BY ONE
MISSION.
TO LEAD OUR SENATE PRESIDENT PRO
TEM ORI THAT YOU CAN BE
EMPOWERED.
TO BEAR THE RESPONSIBILITY OF
LEADERSHIP.
WITH THE WISDOM AND THE
TENACITY.
OF OUR BIBLICAL FOR MOTHERS.
OF MIRIAM AND JUDITH.
AND OF LARA. AND SHIFT RA AND
POOR. AND MARY AND PRISCILLA.
SO MANY OTHERS WHO WERE WRITTEN
OUT OF HISTORY AS TODAY ON THIS
VERY DAY WE WRITE YOU TONI
ATKINS INTO HISTORY.
MAY YOUR WISDOM AND COMPASSION
INSPIRE YOU TO STAND IN
SOLIDARITY WITH THE NEEDY AND
THE POOR.
I FEET INJUSTICE AND UNIFY OUR
STATE.
MAY YOU BE GUIDED TO KNOW AND TO
DO WHAT IS RIGHT.
THE CHALLENGE AND DEFY ANYTHING
ANYTHING AT ALL THAT WOULD
DIMINISH JUSTICE IN OUR STATE IN
OUR COUNTRY AND IN THE WORLD.
AND MAY WE ALL VIEW THIS
REMARKABLE MOMENT AS AN
INVITATION FOR EACH OF US.
TO MOVE FORWARD DRIVEN BY
PURPOSE AND DETERMINATION.
THE WORK OF PREPARING A WORLD.
STILL STRUGGLING AND OVERCOME
WITH INJUSTICE HATE AND
INTOLERANCE.
MAY ALL OF OUR INTENTIONS BE
SINCERE.
OUR LABOR SELFLESS.
AND MAY OUR BEAUTIFUL STATE OF
CALIFORNIA CONTINUE TO BE A
MORAL COMPASS.
POINTING US TOWARD JUSTICE
AN INSPIRING OTHERS TO FOLLOW.
IN MY JEWISH TRADITION WE RECITE
OF PARTICULAR BLESSING. WHEN
SOMETHING NEW AND WONDERFUL
HAPPENS IN OUR LIVES.
WE SAY PRAISED ARE YOU A GOD OF
MANY NAMES
FOR GIVING US LIFE.
FOR SUSTAINING US.
AND FOR ENABLING US TO REACH.
THAT'S GREAT AND AUSPICIOUS
MOMENT TOGETHER. AND IF YOU KNOW
THE BLESSING WILL YOU SING WITH
ME. BAH ROOF CUTOUT ON NINE AND
A LOW PAYING NEW MELANCHOLIC LA
I'M SURE HAD KEANU THE KIANA
MUNDU THE HE KEANU WE CANNOT DO
THIS PART LAWS MODERN HIGH.
DAY LAW.
I. MEAN.
BERMAN ON THIS IS TO WORK DAY
PLEASE JOIN US.
THE PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE.
I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG
OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.
IRAQ.
JAPAN'S.
MISSION
.
SENATORS WITHOUT OBJECTION WE
WILL MOVE TO FILE ITEM
SEVENTEEN.
SENATE RESOLUTION EIGHTY EIGHT.
SENATOR DALY ON.
ARE YOU PREPARED.
TO TAKE UP THIS ITEM.
MR SECRETARY PLEASE READ.
SENATE RESOLUTION EIGHTY EIGHT
BY SENATOR DALY OWN RELATIVE TO
ELECTION OF THE PRESIDENT PRO
TEMPERATE THE SENATE.
SENATOR DALY ON.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH A MADAM
PRESIDENT.
COLLEAGUES.
IT IS WITH GREAT PRIDE.
AND CONFIDENCE.
BUT I RISE TO NOMINATE.
THE GOOD SENATOR FROM SAN DIEGO.
SENATE TONI ATKINS AS OUR NECKS
PRESIDENT PRO TEM.
I'VE HAD THE PRIVILEGE OF
WORKING VERY CLOSELY
WITH SENATOR ATKINS BOTH AS A
MEMBER OF THIS AUGUST BODY.
SENATE CHAMBER THE RED CARPET.
AS WELL AS MY COUNTERPARTS UNIT
TENURE OF HER SPEAKERSHIP. OF
THE GREEN CARPETS ON THE OTHER
SIDE THE ASSEMBLY.
I CAN SAY THIS THAT SHE HAS BOTH
THE EXPERIENCE AND THE
TEMPERAMENT.
TO LEAD THIS INCREDIBLE BODY.
THIS CHAMBER.
SHE'S FAIR.
SHE'S TOUGH.
AND SHE'S TRULY DRIVEN TO FLYING
SOLUTIONS.
SHE IS IN FACT SOLUTIONS
ORIENTED INDIVIDUAL.
AND THE RESULTS SPEAK FOR
THEMSELVES.
DURING HER TENURE SHIP AS
A CITY COUNCIL MEMBER OF THE
GREAT CITY OF SAN DIEGO AS WELLS
HER TENURE AS SPEAKER OF THE
CALIFORNIA STATE ASSEMBLY. AND A
MEMBER OF THIS SENATE BODY.
NOW.
SENATE ACTING TONIGHT WE COME.
FROM DIFFERENT WORLDS.
FROM OPPOSITE ENDS OF THIS
COUNTRY.
BUT WE HAVE THE SHARED VALUES
THAT ARE ROOTED IN OUR SHARED
AMERICAN EXPERIENCE.
EXPERIENCE OF COMING FROM
NOTHING.
AND HAVING TO FIGHTS
FOR EVERYTHING.
THE DAUGHTER AS A RABBI
ARTICULATED JUST A FEW MOMENTS
AGO SO ELOQUENTLY.
THE DAUGHTER OF A COAL MINER.
AND A SEAMSTRESS.
THE SON OF AN IMMIGRANT WOMEN
WHO CLEAN HOMES IN THE OIL.
AGAIN FROM TO PARTS OF THE
COUNTRY OPPOSITE ENDS.
BUT AS SHARED AMERICAN
EXPERIENCE.
IS WHAT WE HAVE.
THE EXPERIENCE OF BEING
OVERLOOKED.
AND SECOND GUESS.
SHE KNOWS WHAT IT'S LIKE TO
STRUGGLE.
HOW IT FEELS TO HAVE THIS DECK
STACKED AGAINST YOU
FROM THE VERY BEGINNING?
AND YET SHE NEVER TOOK NO.
FOR ANSWER.
LET ME EMPHASIZE THAT.
SHE NEVER TOOK NO FOR AN ANSWER.
NO DOUBT.
SENATOBIA ATKINS IS A FIGHTER.
IS NOT OF FOLKS WHO COME FROM
VIRGINIA.
SPECIFICALLY FROM THE
APPALACHIAN REGION.
AND MAKE IT ALL THE WAY TO THE
WEST COAST.
THE CALIFORNIA.
IN FACT RISE.
TO BECOME OUR NEXT LEADER OF THE
CALIFORNIA STATE SENATE'S.
THIS IS WHAT MAKES CALIFORNIA A
MAGICAL PLACE.
FOR ALL OF US REGARDS AGAIN IF
WE YOU ARE AND WHERE YOU COME
FROM.
BUT THAT TENACITY IN SELECT TONI
ATKINS.
IT'S QUITE INCREDIBLE.
SHE'S STANDING HERE AGAINST
HAVING AGAINST GOING GETS ALL
LOTS.
READY TO BREAK THROUGH A
CENTURIES OLD GLASS CEILING. AND
TO DO GREAT THINGS FOR THE
PEOPLE OF CALIFORNIA.
AS WE ALL KNOW COLLEAGUES.
DEMOCRATS AS WELL AS
REPUBLICANS.
FELLERS ASSEMBLY MEMBERS
CONSTITUTIONAL OFFICERS MARES
SHERIFF'S.
OUR CONSTITUENTS SENT US HERE TO
THIS GREAT STATE CAPITOL TO
SOLVE THEIR PROBLEMS.
THAT'S OUR JOB.
BUT FOR SOMEONE LIKE TONY.
THAT'S OUR PASSION.
BECAUSE IT COMES FROM RIGHT
HERE.
DEEP IN THE HEARTS.
SHE'S DRIVEN TO SOLVE PROBLEMS
BECAUSE SHE'S LIVED THROUGH
THEM.
POVERTY.
HOMELESSNESS
DEBTS.
DESPERATION AND DISCRIMINATION
THESE AREN'T ABSTRACT CONCEPTS
WHEN YOU'VE GROWN UP.
SURROUNDED BY IT ALL.
AND THAT.
GIVES PROSPECTIVE
THE EVERYTHING.
THE WAY SHE VIEWS THE WORLD.
THE WAY SHE GREW UP.
FOR EXCELLENCE
AGAIN STARTING WITH HER ROOTS IN
SAN DIEGO AT THE CITY COUNCIL.
HE GIVES US THE URGENCY TO
OVERCOME THE OBSTACLES AS WELL
AS THE DOUBTERS.
THE EPIC THE TO DEMAND
MEANINGFUL CHANGE
AND THE MORAL CLARITY TO DO
WHAT'S RIGHT.
I CAN SAY THIS.
WE CAN ALL SAY THIS TOGETHER.
THAT I HAVE.
WE ALL HAVE.
WE ALL HAVE FAITH IN TONI
ATKINS.
TO DO ALL OF THESE THINGS.
AND I'M VERY VERY PROUD TO
PRESENT THIS RESOLUTION.
BECAUSE I HAVE A SMILE.
FOR THOSE INDIVIDUALS IS ONLY
HALF FULL HERE.
WHO HAVE BEEN LEADERS OF EITHER
THE ASSEMBLY OR THE SENATE?
I HAVE A SMILE BECAUSE.
I LEAVE THIS GREAT FOR IT
CHAMBER.
IN EXCELLENT HANDS.
SOMEONE WHO WILL DO GREAT
THINGS.
NOT JUST FOUR THIS INSTITUTION
BUT FOR THE WHOLE STATE OF
CALIFORNIA AND OUR PEOPLE. SO
I'M VERY PROUD TO PRESENT THIS
RESOLUTION SENATE RESOLUTION
NUMBER EIGHTY EIGHT FILE ITEM
NUMBER SEVENTEEN.
THE NAME TONI ATKINS TO BE THE
NEXT LEADER OF THE CALIFORNIA
STATE SENATE WITHOUT COLLEAGUES.
I RESPECTFULLY ASK FOR A ROBUST
BIPARTISAN AYE VOTE THINK YOU'RE
MUCH BETTER PRESIDENT THANK YOU
SENATOR DALY OWNED AND AND
COURSE THANK YOU FOR YOUR
EXTRAORDINARY SERVICES WELL
DEBATE OR DISCUSSION ON THIS
ITEM.
DEBATE OR DISCUSSION WE WILL
START WITH SENATOR WIENER.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH MADAM
PRESIDENT AND OUT BEFORE I
BEGIN.
I WANNA. PUBLICLY EXPRESS MY
OUR GRATITUDE.
TO.
CENTER THEY LEóN TO OUR.
EXITING PRO TEM WHO HAS JUST
DONE AN EXTRAORDINARY JOB OFFER
THIS BODY INTO THE STATE'S A
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE
SENATOR.
COLLEAGUES I RISE IN STRONG
SUPPORT OF SR EIGHTY EIGHT.
AND IN STRONG SUPPORT OF
ELECTING SENATOR TONI ATKINS AYE
AS THE NEXT PRESIDENT PRO TEM OF
THIS CALIFORNIA STATE SENATE.
ARE A FEW DAYS AGO US SOMEONE IN
MY COMMUNITY I COMMENTED TO ME.
UP AND SAID YOU KNOW I'VE MET
TONI ATKINS AND SHE'S ONE OF THE
NICEST PEOPLE. I'VE EVER MET.
AND I THOUGHT TO MYSELF YOU KNOW
TONY REALLY IS ONE OF THE NICEST
PEOPLE WALKING ON THIS PLANET
ONE OF THE KINDEST. MOST
GENEROUS MOST COMPASSIONATE
PEOPLE OF ONE OF THE PEOPLE WHO
WORK FOR ME AS A NEW SENATOR WHO
HAD BARELY SET FOOT IN THIS
BUILDING BEFORE I TOOK OFFICE.
TOOK ME UNDER HER WINGS IN THAT
IT EXACTLY WHO SHE IS.
AS A HUMAN BEING.
WELL SOMETIMES. WHEN YOU'RE NICE
AND THIS IS TRUE ABOUT TONY.
SOMETIMES PEOPLE MISTAKE. BEING
NICE WITH BEING WEAK.
AND SOME HAVE TO THEIR CHAGRIN.
MADE THAT MISTAKE ABOUT. CENTER
TONI ATKINS.
BECAUSE SHE IS ACTUALLY ONE OF
THE TOUGHEST PEOPLE. AS WELL
THAT I HAVE MET. IN MY LIFE SHE
IS TOUGH AS NAILS.
I YOU DON'T GROW UP. IN POVERTY
IN COAL COUNTRY. MAKE YOUR WAY
THREE THOUSAND MILES.
ACROSS THIS CONTINENT.
AND THEN RISE AND RISE AND RISE.
INTO THE HALLS OF POWER. UNLESS
YOU ARE PRETTY DARN TOUGH. AND
SHE FITS THAT BILL.
BUT THE THING ABOUT TONY IS.
WITH ALL THE STRENGTH AND THE
POWER THAT SHE HAS. ACCUMULATED
OVER TIME.
SHE HAS NEVER FORGOTTEN. WHERE
SHE CAME FROM EVER?
AND I HAVE BEEN WITH TONI WHEN
WE'RE WITH THE GOVERNOR.
OF THE SIX LARGEST ECONOMY.
IN THE WORLD. AND I'VE BEEN WITH
HER WHEN WE ARE BEEN IN THE
COMMUNITY CENTER. WITH SOME OF
THE POOREST AND MOST
MARGINALIZED MEMBERS OF OUR
COMMUNITY AND WHAT I WILL TELL
YOU. IS THAT THE WAY THAT SHE
TALKS AND ACTS AND CARRIES
HERSELF. AROUND THE GOVERNOR OF
THIS STATE. IS EXACTLY THE SAME
AS SHE TALKS AND CARRIES HERSELF
AROUND THE POOREST MEMBERS OF
OUR COMMUNITY THERE IS NO
DIFFERENCE. AND DIED IS
AUTHENTICITY.
AND IT IS ONE OF THE AMAZING
THINGS ABOUT TONY THAT SHE KNOWS
WHY SHE IS HERE THAT IT'S NOT
JUST ABOUT THE POWER. IT IS
ABOUT THE PEOPLE WHO NEED HELP.
AND HER STRENGTH AND HER PASSION
AND HER HUMILITY AT HER
AUTHENTICITY.
CARRYOVER. FROM POLITICS.
TELL HER POLICY WORK.
AND WHEN YOU LOOK AT WHAT TONY
HAS BEEN ABLE TO DONE TO GET
DONE THROUGH SHEER TENACITY.
WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE FACT THAT
CALIFORNIA DIDN'T HAVE A
DEDICATED FUNDING STREAM FOR
AFFORDABLE HOUSING.
AND SOME THOUGHT IT WAS
IMPOSSIBLE THAT WE WOULD EVER.
GET THAT TWO THIRDS VOTE TO PASS
IT.
TONY TRIED AND TRIED AND NEVER
GAVE UP AND ULTIMATELY DID WHAT
SOME TOLD ME WAS ABSOLUTELY
IMPOSSIBLE. AND GET THAT PASSED
AND SIGNED INTO LAW.
WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE WORK THAT
TONY HAS DIED TO SUPPORT OUR
TRANSGENDER. BROTHERS AND
SISTERS.
PEOPLE WHO ARE STRUGGLING IN
INCREDIBLE WAYS AROUND
HEALTHCARE ACCESS AND
UNEMPLOYMENT.
SHE HAS JUST DONE TREMENDOUS
TREMENDOUS WORK BECAUSE
SHE CARES AND KNOWS THAT PEOPLE
NEED HELP.
NOW THIS.
POWER THIS COMPASSION WILL CARRY
OVER THE TONYS LEADERSHIP OF
THIS BODY.
AND I WANNA EXIST
SAY WHAT AN HONOR IT IS BUT I AM
GOING TO BE ONE OF FORTY PEOPLE
WHO GETS A CAST OF THOUGH.
TO ELECT THE FIRST WOMAN AS
LEADER OF THE CALIFORNIA STATE
SENATE AND ARE HUNDRED AND SIXTY
NINE YEAR HISTORY THAT IS A DEEP
HONOR THAT WILL BE WITH ME FOR
THE REST OF OUR LIFE.
WE ARE GOING TO EIGHT EIGHT AT
TIMES PAINFUL BUT IMPORTANT
TRANSITION IN THIS COUNTRY.
WHERE WE ARE SAYING TO OURSELVES
YOU KNOW WHAT WHEN WE SAY WOMEN
ARE EQUAL? WE HAVE COMMUNITY AND
WE HAVE TO ACT THAT WAY ALL DAY
EVERY DAY.
AND ELECTING TONI IS YET ANOTHER
SINGLE THAT W ARE MOVING
TOWARDS THE PROMISED LAND IN
TERMS
GENDER.
BUT I ALSO WANT. TO STRESS.
AS A GAY MAN.
HELP PERSONALLY SIGNIFICANT THAT
SAYS TO ME.
THERE ARE TIMES WHEN IT'S
TEMPTING FOR US TO SAY YOU KNOW
WHY. WE HAVE MARRIAGE EQUALITY
THE PAST DON'T ASK DON'T TELL WE
HAVE CIVIL RIGHTS LAWS IN A
NUMBER OF STATES.
THINGS ARE OKAY BUILDS BE T.
COMMUNITIES OKAY.
THINGS HAVE GOTTEN BETTER. BILL
TO BE TO COMMUNITY IS NOT YET
OKAY.
WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE POVERTY
RATES AND OUR COMMUNITY. THE
LACK OF ACCESS TO HEALTH CARE
THE FACT THAT PEOPLE ARE STILL
DYING FROM HIV. BACKTRACKED
TRANSGENDER WOMEN OF COLOR IN
PARTICULAR ARE STILL BEING
MURDERED AT UNPRECEDENTED RATES.
THAT FORTY PERCENT OF HOMELESS
YOUTH ARE LGBT THAT THE SUICIDE
RATES AMONG HOPE LGBT YOUNG
PEOPLE ARE OFF THE CHARTS.
WE HAD ENORMOUS WORK TO DO. AND
TO SEND THE SIGNAL IN A COUNTRY
THAT HAS ELECTED ONE UNITED
STATES SENATOR IN THE HISTORY OF
THIS COUNTRY HAS SELECTED Y.
SEEM ONE LGBT U. S. SENATOR.
AS ELECTED ONE LGBT GOVERNOR IN
THE HISTORY OF THIS COUNTRY
WHERE A MERE ONE PLUS PERCENT.
OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
IS LGBT WORK CALIFORNIA HAS
NEVER EVER ELECTED A STATEWIDE
LGBT OFFICER PROHIBITS.
HOPEFULLY CHANGE AYE IN
NOVEMBER.
AND WE HAVE WORK
TO DO.
.
TONI ATKINS.
IS SUCH A POWERFUL AND
INSPIRING LEADER SHE IS GOING TO
DO GREAT THINGS AS THE LEADER OF
THIS BODY.
I'D I WHOLEHEARTEDLY ENCOURAGE
YOUR COLLEAGUES OUGHT TO DO I ON
THIS RESOLUTION THANK YOU THANK
YOU SENATOR WIENER SENATOR
HERTZBERG.
WE'LL GET A YEAR.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH MADAM
PRESIDENT TO AND DOES.
FORMER PRESIDENT PRO TEM SU HERE
TODAY IN THE ALL OF THE.
EXTRAORDINARY SPECIAL GUESTS.
ONLY ON RARE OCCASIONS.
SINCE THE FOUNDING OF THIS GREAT
STATE.
HAS THIS CHAMBER HAD THE
OPPORTUNITY TO ELECT A LEADER IT
DOESN'T HAPPEN VERY OFTEN.
TODAY. I STAND WITH OUR PRO TEM
IN WITH MISTER WEINER.
IN SUPPORT OF THIS RESOLUTION
AND TOGETHER WITH ALL THE
COLLEAGUES IN THE NOMINATION.
TONI ATKINS OF SAN DIEGO TO BE
OUR NEXT PRESIDENT PRO TEM OF
THIS HOUSE.
AT THIS TIME.
AND IN THIS PLACE.
SENATOR ATKINS.
HAS THE BEST EXPERIENCE.
AND THE BEST COMPARATOR.
TO LEAD CALIFORNIA'S WHO THE
CHALLENGES ALL OF OUR NEW
NORMAL.
BOTH WITH OUR OWN SENATE
COMMUNITY.
AND TO KEEP CALIFORNIA ON THIS
pEXTRAORDINARY TO JACK THREE
DURING THESE TIMES. OF
UNPRECEDENTED CHANGE.
THERE'S A CONSTITUTIONAL GENIUS
WHO ARE DIVIDED GOVERNMENT.
DESIGNED TO EMBRACE CHECKS AND
BALANCES
BETWEEN A COMPANY EXECUTIVE
POWER AND THEY DELIVER TO OF
LEGISLATIVE POWER. REACHING IN
PROVIDING VOICE FOR THE FOUR
HUNDRED AND EIGHTY TWO CITIES
THE FIFTY EIGHT COUNTIES IN THE
MANY COMMUNITIES OF THIS GREAT
STATE.
TO ACCOMPLISH THIS
PARTICULARLY THE TIME WHEN WE
WILL SEE THE ELECTION OF A NEW
GOVERNOR JUST A FEW MONTHS AWAY.
WE NEED A LEADER WITH BOTH THE
EXPERIENCE TO HIT THE GROUND
RUNNING.
AND A LEADER WHO IS DEEPLY
ATTUNED TO THE VALUE AND VOICE
OF EACH SENATOR ON THIS FLOOR
WHICH TO BRING TO OUR IMPORTANT
STATE AND THAT PERSON LADIES AND
GENTLEMEN IS TONI ATKINS.
SENATOR ATKINS ALSO UNDERSTANDS
THE IMPORTANT EIGHT SURE OF OUR
BICAMERAL LEGISLATURE AND IT IS
CLEAR TO ME. THAT SHE IS ALWAYS
MEASURED EACH LEGISLATOR BY THE
CONTENT OF GET THEIR CHARACTER
AND NOT BY THE COLOR OF THE
CHAMBERS CARPET.
THAT RESPECT MEMBERS THAT
RESPECT IS ALWAYS EXTENDED
ACROSS PARTY LINES.
WHICH WILL HELP INFORM THE TONE
IN TEMPERAMENT OF THE DEBATES WE
HAVE ON IMPORTANT ISSUES BEFORE
CALIFORNIA.
SENATOR ATKINS WILL TELL YOU AS
SHE IS TOLD ME.
WITH EACH LEGISLATOR
IRRESPECTIVE OF HOUSE OR PARTY
HAS A VOTE AND THAT VOTE NEEDS
TO BE RESPECTED.
AND. AS SENATOR WIENER SO
ELOQUENTLY NOTED SHE IS A
TENACIOUS AN EXTRAORDINARILY
EFFECTIVE FIGHTER.
ONE ONLY NEEDED TO WITNESS HER
MULTI YEAR DETERMINATION
GRITTINESS IN FOCUS.
THE RESULT IN HER RESOLVE DURING
THE WINNING FIGHT FOR AFFORDABLE
HOUSING IN CALIFORNIA.
IN ADDITION.
SENATOR ATKINS LEADERSHIP IN SAN
DIEGO FROM MY POINT OF YOU
PROVIDES A UNIQUE AND IMPORTANT
UNDERSTANDING OF REGIONAL
ECONOMIES WORKING ACROSS
INTERNATIONAL BORDERS.
CALIFORNIA'S WE ALL LIKE TO TALK
ABOUT IS AN INTERNATIONAL WORLD
ECONOMY IT IS ESSENTIAL THAT ANY
LEADER. OF THIS SENATE PROVIDE A
REALISTIC UNDERSTANDING OF OUR
INTERNATIONAL ECONOMIC
INTERDEPENDENCE SENATOR ATKINS
BRINGS TO US THAT IMPORTANT.
UNDERSTANDING.
OUR HISTORY IN LEADERSHIP
PROVIDES CONFIDENCE TO ME THAT
CALIFORNIA AND THAT ARE SENATE.
IS AN EXTRAORDINARILY CAPABLE
HANDS.
JUSTICE IMPORTANT
SENATOR ATKINS HAS THE CHARACTER
NEEDED TO LEAD THIS TEAM DURING
THIS PERIOD. OF UNCERTAINTY IN
AMERICA SHE IS AS EACH OF US
KNOWS REPRESENTATIVE THE BEST
AND NOBLEST ELEMENTS OF OUR
STATE.
AND SENATOR ATKINS IS ACCESSIBLE
SENATOR ATKINS IS OPEN AND
HONEST AS WAS INDICATED BY BOTH
SENATOR WIENER. AND PRESIDENT
PRO TEM DELEO.
THE SAME TIME HER ELECTION
TODAY.
IS AN EXAMPLE.
AN INSPIRATION FOR SO MANY.
S. A SENATOR JACKSON INDICATED
THAT THEY TOO CAN ACHIEVE THEIR
DREAMS.
FROM THE CLOSEST SANTA CRUZ
COUNTY.
TO THE GREAT NAPA VALLEY.
FOR THE TECH MECCA OF SILICON
VALLEY.
TO THE MULTI GENERATIONAL
FAMILIES IN THE COMMUNITY OF
GARDENA.
TO THE STREETS OF BAKERSFIELD.
TONI ATKINS EMBODIES THE IN THE
ACCOMPLISHED OF DEMOCRACY THAT
IS OPEN ACCESSIBLE AND HONEST.
SHE IS ACCESSIBLE TO ALL OF US I
THINK WE ALL HAVE HAD THAT
EXPERIENCE USE OPEN TO THE
MYRIAD OF VOICES IN CALIFORNIA
WHICH ARE CRITICAL SUCCESS OF
OUR LEGISLATIVE BRANCH AND SHE
IS HONORABLE.
SENATOR ATKINS.
YOUR ELECTION TODAY'S OCCURRING
FOR ONE OVERARCHING REASON.
WE TRUST YOU.
IN THE HUNDREDS OF INTERACTIONS
THAT EACH OF US ON THE FLOOR
TODAY HAVE EXPERIENCED WITH YOU.
WE HAVE FOUND YOU TO BE
HONORABLE TRUTHFUL AND WORTHY OF
THE RESPONSIBILITY YOU ARE
TAKING ON HERE TODAY.
WE ARE IN GOOD HANDS
CALIFORNIA IS IN GOOD HANDS.
TOGETHER WITH EACH MEMBER OF
CHAMBER A LOOK FORWARD TO
BEING PART OF THE LEADERSHIP YOU
WILL PROVIDE THE CALIFORNIA
ACCESSIBLE. OPEN AND HONEST
THAT'S WHAT CALIFORNIA TO THE
NEEDS AND IS WHAT THE
LEGISLATURE AND THE SENATE
NEEDS.
IN THE WORDS OF A GREAT COUNTRY
AND WESTERN BALLADS MADAM PRO
TEM YOUR THE ONE WHOM MEMBERS
LAST RECEPTACLES XIN.
THANK YOU SENATOR HERTZBERG.
SENATOR PORTANTINO.
THANK YOU.
MADAM PRESIDENT.
MISTER PRO TEM.
MY FRIEND THE PRO TEM
DESIGNATING FROM SAN DIEGO.
SENATE COLLEAGUES AND EVERYONE
WHO WAS HERE TO CELEBRATE THIS
IMPORTANT DAY.
IT IS AN HONOR TO STAND AND
SUPPORT THE RESOLUTION PRESENTED
BY THE GOOD SENATOR FROM LOS
ANGELES WHO IS SO ABLY LED THE
SENATE. THESE PAST FOUR YEARS
MISTER PRO TEM IT HAS BEEN A
PRIVILEGE TO SERVE UNDER YOUR
LEADERSHIP AND THE COUNTY WAS A
FRIEND.
TODAY'S HISTORIC TRANSITION IS A
TESTAMENT TO THE DIGNITY OF THIS
HOUSE.
YOUR LEADERSHIP AND THE
CHARACTER OF OUR SOON TO BE PRO
TEM.
I STAND IN THE TUESDAY ASKED THE
SUPPORT OF THE NOMINATION OF MS
ATKINS AS THE FORTY EIGHTH
PRESIDENT PRO TEM OF THE STATE
SENATE.
YOU'VE HEARD ABOUT THE IMPORTANT
HISTORY BEING MADE TODAY. AND
YOU WILL ALSO HEAR MANY MANY
LEGISLATORS TALK ABOUT HER
WONDERFUL ACCOMPLISHMENTS
AND PERSONAL PASSIONS.
BOB OUR NEXT LEADER.
BUT I WANT TO TAKE SOME TIME AND
INTRODUCE YOU TO THE PERSON I'VE
KNOWN FOR THE PAST TWENTY YEARS.
NOT THE ELECTED OFFICIAL WE
CELEBRATE TODAY. BUT THE PERSON
WE CELEBRATE TODAY.
AS BEEN SAID SHE IS THE DAUGHTER
OF A MINOR AND A SEAMSTRESS TONY
WAS BORN IN VIRGINIA GROWING UP
IN A HOUSE WITH NO RUNNING
WATER.
BUT THEN LATER ATTENDED THE JOHN
F. KENNEDY SCHOOL OF GOVERNMENT.
AT HARVARD UNIVERSITY THAT
DOESN'T JUST HAPPEN. IT'S EARNED
THROUGH HARD WORK AND
DEDICATION.
WHAT I'VE OBSERVED ABOUT TONY IS
THAT AT HER COR SHE IS A PERSON
WHO DEEPLY CARES ABOUT HER
FAMILY?
AND THAT HER LEADERSHIP STYLE
EXTENDS TO ALL OF US AS IF WE
WERE PART OF HER EXTENDED
FAMILY.
SHE IS DEEPLY DEVOTED TO HER
SPOUSE JENNIFER.
AND ALMOST NEVER HAS A
CONVERSATION WITHOUT WONDERING
HOW JENNIFER MIGHT LIKE TO
RESPOND TO WHATEVER THE SUBJECT
ISSUE WAS AT HAND.
I'VE KNOWN HER AS A DEVOTED AUNT
WHO HELP MENTOR HER NEPHEW
TOMMY.
AND AGAIN SHE OFTEN TALKS ABOUT
HIM WITH THE SAME RELEVANCE AND
INVOLVEMENT OF THE CURRENT TOPIC
WE'RE TALKING ABOUT.
SHE IS ALSO VERY DEVOTED TO THE
PEOPLE OF SAN DIEGO AND VALUES
THE LOCAL ISSUES AND NEIGHBORS
WITH THE SAME EXTENDED FAMILY
SPIRIT.
OUR MUTUAL FRIEND GEORGE BIAGGI.
SHARE WITH ME SOME THOUGHTS
ABOUT TONY.
HE SAID THROUGHOUT HER IN ADULT
LIFE AND OUR ENTIRE POLITICAL
CAREER. SHE HAS BEEN A TIRELESS
ADVOCATE FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING.
SENIORS THE LGBT AND HIV AIDS
COMMUNITIES
WOMEN'S HEALTH.
WITH A VARIETY REVITALIZATION OF
OLDER URBAN NEIGHBORHOODS
WORKING FAMILIES AND
TRADITIONALLY UNDERSERVED
COMMUNITIES.
HER CONSTITUENTS HAVE COME TO
APPRECIATE HER HONESTY.
INTEGRITY AND STRONG WORK ETHIC
KNOWING THAT TONY WILL LEAVE NO
STONE UNTURNED AND HER
COMMITMENT TO PASS LEGISLATION.
THAT WILL IMPROVE THE LIVES OF
CALIFORNIANS.
HE WENT ON TO EXPRESS. THAT
THERE IS ARGUABLY NO HARDER
WORKING ELECTED OFFICIAL IN THE
GREAT STATE OF CALIFORNIA THIS
IS WHAT HER.
COLLEAGUES IN SAN DIEGO AND CO
WORKERS SAY ABOUT HER.
THOSE OF US IN THIS CHAMBER KNOW
FIRST HAND THAT GEORGE'S
OBSERVATIONS ARE SPOT ON AS TONY
WORKS WELL AND IT'S BEEN
ARTICULATED BY. MISTER HERTZBERG
WORKS WELL WITH BOTH CHAMBERS
AND WITH BOTH SIDES OF THE
AISLE.
SOMETHING REMARKABLE GIVEN THE
NATIONAL POLITICAL TENER.
GEORGE ALSO SHARED WITH ME. THAT
TONY CITY COUNCIL STAFF.
WOULD SOMETIMES DREAD COMING TO
WORK ON MONDAY MORNING.
BECAUSE TONY WOULD SPEND HER
WEEKENDS.
DRIVING AROUND THE CITY COUNCIL
DISTRICT TAKING NOTE OF ALL THE
POTHOLES BROKEN SIDEWALKS
GRAFFITI AND BIRCH STREET LIGHTS
THAT NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED.
AND SHE WOULD LEAVE MESSAGES.
ON THE OFFICE VOICE MAILS FOR
EACH WRAPPED IN THOSE
NEIGHBORHOODS.
TO BEGIN WORKING ON FIXING THE
PROBLEMS MONDAY MORNING.
NOW THOSE STAFF WOULD MARVEL AT
HER DEDICATION.
THEY WOULD ALSO QUIETLY LOBBY
HER CHIEF OF STAFF TO PLEASE
CONVINCE HER TO TAKE A WEEKEND
OFF AND GO TO THE DESERT. SO
THEY COULD CATCH UP ON
EVERYTHING ELSE THEY HAD TO DO
WHEN THEY WERE AT WORK.
SO THEY COULD BEST SERVE THE
DISTRICT
AS A LEGISLATOR. TONY AS SOMEONE
WHO DOESN'T SEE THE LIMELIGHT.
OR THE CENTER OF ATTENTION.
SHE JUST WANTS TO SOLVE
PROBLEMS.
AND NO ONE HAS BEEN A BIGGER
CHAMPION AS IT'S BEEN SAID BY
MISTER WEINER AND OTHERS NO ONE
HAS BEEN A BIGGER CHAMPION A
BUILDING AFFORDABLE HOUSING FOR
CALIFORNIA HAVE HOUSING FOR
CALIFORNIA. IN NEED OF SHELTER
THAN TONY.
AGAIN DOES SHE DRAW ON HER
COMPASSION FOR HUMBLE PEOPLE.
FROM HER OWN HUMBLE STORY.
OF COURSE SHE DOES.
DID YOU TAKE TIME TO SHARE THE
ISSUE AREA WITH THEIR SENATE AND
ASSEMBLY COLLEAGUES YOU BACK.
AND ONCE AGAIN. THERE IS A
FAMILY CONNECTION THAT NEATLY
TIES TONY'S METHODS AND HER
MOTIVATIONS.
TONY IS A TWIN.
AND REMINDED US JUST THE OTHER
NIGHT.
THAT SHE'S NEVER BEEN ABOUT I.
BECAUSE SHE'S ALWAYS BEEN A WE.
THINK ABOUT HOW PROFOUND THAT
IS.
FOR THE CULTURE OF POLITICS
TONY PUTS OTHERS BEFORE HERSELF.
BECAUSE SHE'S ALWAYS SHARED HER
LIFE WITH OTHERS.
CLEARLY WE IN THE SENATE WILL BE
WELL SERVED BY SUCH A GOOD.
KIND.
AND CARING PERSON HAS OUR NEXT
SENATE PRO TEM.
ON A PERSONAL NOTE.
TONY SHARED A FONDNESS FOR MY
MOM. AND MY LATE BROTHER
PROBABLY MORE FOND OF MY LATE
BROTHER THAN I WAS FOR MY LATE
BROTHER.
HE WOULD OFTEN TELL ME THAT TONY
WAS HIS FAVORITE POLITICIAN.
NOT AS LITTLE BROTHER.
AND TO SHARE THIS MOMENT WITH
THEM.
I'M WEARING MY BROTHER'S TIE
TODAY TO HONOR TONY AND BRING
HIS MEMORY TO THE CHAMBER. SO HE
COULD JOIN US AND WISH YOU WELL
ON THIS NEXT THE POINT IMPORTANT
JOURNEY FOR THE ATKINS AND THIS
OUR FAMILY.
FOR THE THIRTY NINTH SENATE
DISTRICT
FOR THE STATE SENATE AND FOR THE
PEOPLE OF CALIFORNIA.
I URGE AN AYE VOTE ON THE
RESOLUTION BEFORE US AND I
WARMLY CONGRATULATE MY FRIEND
AND LOOK FORWARD TO ALL THE
WONDERFUL THINGS YOU'RE GONNA
ACCOMPLISH IN THIS CHAMBER AND I
HEARD AND I'VE FOUGHT.
THANK YOU SENATOR PORTANTINO.
SENATOR MITCHELL.
WE WANT TO DEFER TO SENATOR
HUESO.
IT'S NOT IN MY SCRIPT.
THAT'S IN YOUR SCRIPT.
AND AS MY SEAT MATE I WILL DEFER
TO YOUR SCRIPT.
VERY GOOD SENATOR HUESO.
THANK YOU MADAM PRESIDENT AND.
ALMOST EVERYTHING HAS BEEN SAID
AND I JUST WANTED TO RISE AND
AND CONGRATULATE MY FRIEND.
FOR A FOR THIS.
AMAZING MOMENT IN HISTORY.
I RISE AS THE CHAIRMAN OF THE
CALIFORNIA LEGISLATIVE LATINO
CAUCUS.
IN SUPPORT OF THE OF THIS ACTION
IN SUPPORT OF.
PRESIDENT THE SENATE.
YOU KNOW.
SOMEBODY CAME TO ME RECENTLY
AND SAID YOU KNOW ARE YOU SAD
THAT THAT YOU KNOW.
LATINOS ARE SO POWERFUL IN THE
LEGISLATURE WE. HAVE A A MEMBER
OF OUR CAUCUS FROM BOTH HOUSES.
MARK YOU SAID NOW THAT. YOU'RE
GONNA HAVE A NON LATINOS
PRESIDENT I SAID.
NO I'M NOT SAD BECAUSE WE HAVE
A A MEMBER HERE THAT IS NOT ONLY
BEEN VERY SUPPORTIVE. OF THE
LATINO COMMUNITY AS A FORMER
MAYOR. AS.
FORMER COUNCILWOMAN. AND AS.
THE SPEAKER. OF THE ASSEMBLY
SHE WAS ACTUALLY A VERY LARGE
SUPPORT OF OUR CAUCUS.
END AND WE ENJOYED.
ENORMOUS SUPPORT FROM HER.
BUT ALSO I REMIND PEOPLE THAT.
AS AN IMMIGRANT.
SHE AB SHE IS.
AND IMMIGRANTS WERE STATE AND
AND SHE UNDERSTANDS.
OTHER IMMIGRANTS HAVE COME TO
OUR STATE SEEKING OPPORTUNITY.
AND AND THAT'S REALLY WHAT IT'S
ALL ABOUT.
THE FATE OF CALIFORNIA.
IS THE STATE WITH THE LARGEST
IMMIGRANT COMMUNITY IN THE
COUNTRY.
AND WE OUT RANK EVERYBODY IN
ALMOST EVERY SINGLE CATEGORY OF
ECONOMIC PERFORMANCE AND
OPPORTUNITY.
WHERE A WONDERFUL STATE
IMMIGRANTS MAKE OUR STATE A
WONDERFUL PLACE AND THAT'S WHY?
TONI ATKINS
IT IS GONNA MAKE.
ARE SENATE.
ARE A WONDERFUL HOUSE.
WITH HER.
TENACITY WITH HER A VISION.
SHE BRINGS THAT SENSE OF SPIRIT.
AND THOSE DREAMS
OF WANTING TO MAKE CALIFORNIA. A
BETTER PLACE SHE IS THE
EMBODIMENT OF WHAT IMMIGRANTS.
CONTRIBUTE TO OUR STATE AND WHY
THEY MAKE IT A BETTER PLACE I
CAN'T THINK OF A MEMBER HERE.
THAT HAS DONE MORE IN PUBLIC
SERVICE.
THEN THE PERSON WERE ELECTING
TODAY.
TO HELP HER COMMUNITY TO HELP
THE PEOPLE OF COMMUNITY TO HELP
THE DISADVANTAGED PEOPLE OF OUR
COMMUNITY.
AND YOU KNOW I THINK HISTORY IS
GOING TO LOOK BACK.
AND MISS ADKINS.
AND WONDER HOW IT WAS THAT
EVERYWHERE. THIS WOMAN WENT.
SHE.
EVERYWHERE SHE WENT SHE GARNERED
THE SUPPORT OF HER COLLEAGUES.
ELECTED IN SENEGAL TO BE.
MAHER. ELECTED IN THE ASSEMBLY
TO BECOME SPEAKER AND NOW.
HERE IN THE SENATE TO BECOME
PRO TEM.
I THINK PEOPLE WILL BE INTRIGUED
BY SOMEBODY. THAT IS AS BIG AS.
BEEN SO. AMAZING AT GARNERING
THE RESPECT AND CONFIDENCE OF
THE PEOPLE SHE WORKS WITH.
AND THEY WANT TO KNOW MORE ABOUT
AND THEY'LL SEE.
THAT SHE WAS A PERSON THAT NOT
ONLY.
MADE PROMISES.
BUT KEPT THOSE PROMISES.
AND CAME THROUGH.
SERVING HER COMMUNITY.
WITH.
TENACITY WITH DIGNITY.
HARD WORK.
AND A.
WHAT THE RIGHT VALUES
THE VALUES THAT WE ALL ASPIRE
HELPING OUR FELLOW MAN GIVING
PEOPLE?
AN OPPORTUNITY TO ACHIEVE THEIR
OWN PERSONAL DREAMS.
THIS IS A WONDERFUL MOMENT IN
CALIFORNIA AND THIS IS A
HISTORIC MOMENT.
AND I'M JUST VERY HUMBLED TO BE
STANDING HERE WITH ALL OF YOU.
TO BE ABLE TO BE A PART OF THIS
SPECIAL MOMENT I THINK WILL BE.
REMEMBERED FOR A VERY VERY LONG
TIME.
THANK YOU SENATOR HUESO.
SENATOR SKINNER.
FOLLOWED BY SENATOR BATES CLOSE
BY SENATOR MITCHELL AND THEN THE
FULL CLOSE BY SENATOR DALY
SENATOR SKINNER. THANK YOU.
AND.
WE TRIBUTE IT WE GAVE TRIBUTE
TO OUR.
.
PRO TEN WHO IS.
.
PASSING THE TORCH ON TODAY SO I
WILL.
.
FOCUS MY REMARKS ON THE PERSON
WHO IS A SENDING TODAY AND THANK
YOU COLLEAGUES.
SO IS ONE OF THE MEMBERS WHO
SUPPORTED.
TONY IN HER ASCENDANCY TO THE
ASSEMBLY SPEAKERSHIP.
AND NOW TO HER MORE THAN
APPROPRIATE ASCENDANCY THROUGH
THE SENATE PRESIDENT PRO TEM.
I AM MORE THAN THRILLED.
AND PROUD
THAT SHE IS TAKING ON THIS ROLE
AS EACH OF THE SPEAKERS BEFORE
ME HAVE ALREADY NOTED.
HE DESERVES THIS POSITION AND
HAS ALL OF THE QUALITIES NEEDED
TO FULFILL IT.
BUT I WANT ALSO SPEAK ABOUT WHY
I'M PARTICULARLY PROUD.
FOR THE ROLE THAT SHE'S TAKING
ON AND FOR A THE FACT THAT SHE
IS THE PERSON THAT WE. HAVE
ELECTED TO SERVE IT TO LEAD US.
IN MEMORY OF MY GREAT AUNT WHO I
NEVER MET BECAUSE HER FAMILY
REJECTED HER DUE TO HER LOVE.
FOR WOMEN.
AND.
FOR MY DAUGHTER.
AND HER WIFE.
WHO STUDENTS WITNESS TO MY
WEDDING?
WHEN THEY THEMSELVES WERE
LEGALLY PROHIBITED FROM GETTING
MARRIED.
AND TO MY CLASSMATE MAYA.
WHO LOST HER ELECTION?
BECAUSE.
HE WAS TOLD GIRLS COULDN'T BE
PRESIDENT.
ENTER EVERY GIRL AND WOMAN WHO
MAY BE LISTENING WHO EITHER.
HAD AN OBSTACLE TO THE
LEADERSHIP THAT THEY WANTED TO
ASCEND TO.
FORCED BELIEVE THEY MAY HAVE AN
OBSTACLE TO THE LEADERSHIP THAT
THEY MAY SEND TO.
LET YOU SEE THIS BASS.
WE WERE REJECT THOSE OBSTACLES.
AND WE WILL ASCEND.
AND WE WILL DO WELL WHEN WE DO.
AND FINALLY I WANT TO SAY.
THAT MOST OF US WOMEN CRINGE
WHEN WE HEARD HERE THE WORD
BOSSY.
AND IN ITS WORST FORM.
IN ITS WORST STEREOTYPICAL FORM
IT IS NOT AT ALL APPROPRIATE
TOWARDS MISS ATKINS.
BUT I THINK WE NEED TO OWN IT
BACK.
I MEAN I THINK WE NEED TO OWN
BACK ALL OF THOSE TERMS THAT
HAVE BEEN USED.
TO LIMIT WOMEN.
IN OUR RIGHT FULLY APPROPRIATE
RULES
SO I WILL END WITH THIS
A QUOTE FROM AMY POEHLER.
TO TONY AND EVERYONE.
I JUST LOVE BOSSY WOMEN I COULD
BE AROUND THEM ALL DAY TO MEET
BOSSY IS NOT A PEJORATIVE TERM
AT ALL. IT MEANS SOMEBODY IS
PASSIONATE.
ENGAGED
AND AMBITIOUS
AND DOESN'T MIND LEADING.
I THINK.
THEY YOU SENATOR SKINNER WHO
KNEW WE WERE GOING TO BE QUOTING
AMY POEHLER TODAY.
THANK YOU SO MUCH.
SENATOR BATES ARE.
MINORITY LEADER IN THE
CALIFORNIA STATE SENATE NO TO
ANOTHER WOMAN LEADING THE
CHARGE.
THE FLOOR IS YOURS.
THANK YOU.
MADAM PRESIDENT INTO A MADAM
PROTEIN ON.
I LET ME SHARE JUST A PERSONAL
NOTE WITH ALL OF YOU ARE THE
OTHER EVENING I ATTENDED A
WONDERFUL CELEBRATION OF THE
MADDING INSTITUTE AND YOU KNOW
SENATOR MADDY. WAS A MINORITY
REPUBLICAN LEADER BY THE WAY
GUYS HE HAD FEWER THAN I HAVE
THAT HE WAS REMARKABLE IN TERMS
OF REACHING ACROSS THE AISLE IN
CREATING A BIPARTISAN SPIRIT.
WE HEAR A LOT ABOUT OUT
EVERYWHERE YOU WE NEED BE
BIPARTISAN BECAUSE YOU CAN'T
REACH SOLUTIONS WITHOUT DOING
THAT. BUT OFF TIMES IN THIS VERY
ODD LOOKING CHARGED POLITICAL
ATMOSPHERE WE BEEN UNABLE TO
ACHIEVE THAT BUT LET ME SHARE
WITH YOU. WHAT OUR SOON TO BE
SWORN IN APPROACH HIM DEAD ARE
PROBABLY NOT MORE THAN MAY BE?
FORTY EIGHT TO SEVENTY TWO
HOURS AFTER I HEARD CAUCUS
WELL RAISE THEIR HANDS FOR HER
THE FIRST CALL THAT SHE MADE WAS
TO ME.
AND SHE SAID AND I'M GOOD AT
YOU'D INCOMING PATTY WITHOUT SO
QUE YAWNED ABOUT FOUR K. AFTER
NINE.
TALK WITH THE HUFFINGTON FROM
TOWN BACK TO THE PAD I'D LIKE TO
HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO SIT DOWN
WITH YOU AND TALK ABOUT WHAT YOU
THINK. WE NEED WE NEED OUGHT TO
MOVE OUR LEGISLATURE FORWARD AS
WE FACE THE CHALLENGES AND WE
ALL KNOW WHAT THOSE ARE WE HAVE
HOMELESS ENOUGH WE HAVE
SUBSTANCE ABUSE. WE HAVE
ADDICTION AND NOW ALL WE HAVE
POVERTY WE HAVE SEXUAL
HARASSMENT HERE IN OUR OWN HOME.
FULL LET'S SIT DOWN AND TALK ARE
YOU AVAILABLE I THINK ANY TIME I
WENT OVER TO HER THE FIRST THING
THAT SHE ASKED ME. AND THIS WAS
THE FINITE MIND SHARING IT WITH
YOU BECAUSE ACTIONS SPEAK
WAITING LOUDER THAN WORDS.
SHE ASKED ME IF IT WOULD BE
ALRIGHT.
YOU SHE MET WITH MY MEMBERS AND
I JUST SAT THERE AWE STRUCK
HERE IS SOMEONE WHO HAS SIXTEEN
YEARS. OF LEADERSHIP TOP OF HER
GAME MAYBE NOT QUITE WE STILL
NEED A WOMAN PRESIDENT MAYBE.
THAT I'M GOING FOR ABOUT TONY SO
YOU KNOW YOU GOT CONFIDENCE AND.
I WAS I WAS I WAS.
SITTING THERE. JUST I DIDN'T
KNOW WHAT TO SAY BECAUSE OF
COURSE YOU KNOW YOU DON'T HAVE
TO GO THROUGH THIS GATE TO GET
TO MY GUYS. ARE THEY THEY'RE
LOOKING FORWARD TO THAT AND BY
THE WAY SHE STARTED MAKING THOSE
CALLS AND SHE'S HAD THE
OPPORTUNITY TO MEET WITH SOME OF
THEM. IT WHAT SHE'S EMPHASIZING
I SAY THIS TO ALL MY MY FAMILY
HERE ON THE SENATE FLOOR WE
REALLY NEED TO DO MORE ABOUT WE
ARE GOING TO DISAGREE WE'RE
GOING TO FIND.
TO PASS THAT WE WANT THOSE
PATHS
TO MERGE WHERE THEY CAN BECAUSE
WITHOUT THAT WE WILL NOT SERVE
ARE CONSTITUENTS WELL WE WILL
NOT SERVE.
OF THE THE CHALLENGES THAT ARE
BEFORE US IN THIS GENERATION AND
OUR LEGACY FOR THOSE COME AFTER.
WE ARE WEHAVE THE OPPORTUNITY
WITH SENATOR ATKINS WHO'S WALKED
A VERY DIFFICULT WALK FROM HER.
FATHER WHO KNOWS THE CHALLENGES
SHE KNOWS OPPORTUNITIES SHE
KNOWS THE ACCOMPLISHMENTS.
LET US HOPE THAT AS WE GO
FORWARD THAT WE WILL SHARE OUR
INDIVIDUAL IN OUR COLLECTIVE
PAST
TWO GREAT KNOWS WITH THOSE WHO
WILL COME AFTER. HIM I AM
CONFIDENT THAT WE HAVE A LEADER
IN A PARTNERSHIP. HA WHERE WE
CAN ACCOMPLISH THAT SO THAT WILL
BE MICHAEL IN THAT THAT'S MY
PLEDGE TO YOU. THAT YOU WILL
HAVE MY YEAR AND WE CAN YELL AT
EACH OTHER AT THE APPROPRIATE
TIMES.
OF THAT WE WILL FIND I THINK THE
SOLUTIONS THAT WE ALL CERTAINLY.
OR SET UP HERE TO FIND SO WITH
THAT CONGRATULATIONS ON BEHALF
OF MY CAUCUS AND I AM CERTAINLY
GIVING MY WHOLE HEARTED SUPPORT
TO YOU.
THANK YOU THANK YOU SENATE
DEBATES.
NOW ACCORDING TO SENATOR
MITCHELL'S.
SCRIPT.
SENATOR MITCHELL.
THANK YOU MADAM PRESIDENT FOR
YOUR INDULGENCE.
ALL OF MY COLLEAGUES IN THE
FLOOR NOW THAT I'M COMPLIANT NOT
WAS SIMPLY FOLLOWING INSTRUCTION
GIVEN TO ME.
THERE IS A NEW GENERATION OF
WOMEN RIDERS AND THEORISTS.
WHO OUR DEFINING FEMINISM?
IN A NEW FRESH SIMPLIFIED WAY.
AND AS.
BEYOND SAY HAS SAID AND I QUOTE.
I LOVE BEING A WOMAN.
AND I LOVE BEING A FRIEND THE
OTHER WOMEN.
SOME ARGUE THAT SHOULD BE
FEMINISMS NEW TAGLINE.
AND WHILE WE CELEBRATE THE
HISTORIC ACTION WERE ABOUT TO
TAKE IN ELECTING OUR STATE'S
FIRST WOMAN PRO TEM.
I ALSO CHOOSE TO CELEBRATE THE
WOMAN WE'VE CHOSEN TO ELECT.
A WOMAN WHO IS A SINCERE FRIEND
THE OTHER WOMEN.
A WOMAN WHO WAS WILLING TO
SUPPORT
KERRY AND PRIORITIZE ISSUES OF
CONCERN TO AN IMPACTING WOMEN
AND GIRLS. ACROSS THIS GREAT
STATE.
A WOMAN WHO BELIEVES.
WOMEN HAVE THE CAPACITY AND THE
RIGHT.
TO MAKE DECISIONS THAT ARE IN
OUR OWN BEST INTERESTS.
AND WITH HUMILITY.
YOU QUIETLY STEPPED UP TO
LEADERSHIP.
TWICE.
AND THIS ALEXANDER HAMILTON'S
BEAUTIFULLY THINGS.
I'M NOT GONNA MISS MY SHOT.
AND I GIVE YOU MAD PROPS FOR
THAT.
AS I SAID DURING OUR DEMOCRATA
DISCUSSION OF YOUR NOMINATION
AND I'LL SAY IT AGAIN HERE
TODAY.
BASED ON MY EXPERIENCE AND NOW
WITNESSING THE ELECTION OF THREE
HOUSE LEADERS.
THE HONEYMOON WILL BE VERY
BRIEF.
PLEASE KNOW THAT WHILE IT'S
HUMAN NATURE TO SECOND GUESS THE
DECISIONS MADE BY THOSE IN
POWER.
BY THOSE WHO ARE NOT.
IT'S IN THOSE PRECISE MOMENT
WHEN I KNOW YOU WILL SHINE.
WHERE YOUR PARTICULAR BRAND OF
SELFLESS
HONEST
BALANCE?
CONSENSUS BUILDING LEADERSHIP.
WILL RISE TO THE OCCASION.
THAT'S WHAT I'M COUNTING ON.
THAT'S WHAT WE ALL ARE COUNTING
ON.
AND WHITE GIVES ME GREAT PRIDE
TO CAST MY VOTE IN SUPPORT OF S.
R. EIGHTY EIGHT. AND OFFICIALLY
PUT YOUR NAME AND DENOMINATION.
THANK YOU SENATOR MITCHELL.
ANY FURTHER DEBATE OR
DISCUSSION.
SINGING HEARING ON SENATOR DALY
OWN MISTER PRO TEM.
YOU MAY CLOSE.
BIGGER MUCH OF MADAME PRESIDENT
COLLEAGUES EVERYTHING THAT HAS
BEEN SAID.
HAS BEEN SET.
WITH THAT.
BEING SAID.
TODAY.
AT TWO FOURTEEN PM.
WE SHATTERED THAT GLASS CEILING.
AND TODAY WE SENT A VERY
POWERFUL MESSAGE.
ACROSS THE GREAT SAY THE
CALIFORNIA STATE THAT WE LOVE.
ACROSS THE NATION.
AND ALL OVER THE WORLD.
THAT FOR THE CALIFORNIA STATE
SENATE. WE ELECT OUR FIRST.
PRESIDENT PRO TEM WOMAN THAT
WILL BE TONI ATKINS WITH THAT
MADAM. PRESIDENT AS WELL AS
COLLEAGUES ON BOTH SIDES OF THE
AISLE I RESPECTFULLY ASK FOR
RESOUNDING. Y. VOTE THANK YOU
SENATOR DELEON.
WITHOUT OBJECTION THE RESOLUTION
WILL BE ADOPTED BY VOICE VOTE
ALL THOSE IN FAVOR PLEASE SAY
AYE.
OPPOSED
SENATORS TO NEXT ORDER.
SENATORS THE NEXT ORDER OF
BUSINESS IS THE OATH OF OFFICE.
THE EARTH WILL BE ADMINISTERED
BY THE CHIEF JUSTICE.
TWENTY COUNTY WILL SUCK AWAY. IN
THE FOLLOWING MEMBERS HAVE BEEN
SELECTED AS THE ESCORT
COMMITTEE.
SENATORS BATES.
FOR GALGIANI. AND SKINNER
SENATORS PLEASE PROCEED TO THE
REAR OF THE CHAMBER.
TO ESCORT THE PRESIDENT PRO
TEMPORE ELECT AND HER SPOUSE
JENNIFER LOSAR.
TO THE ROSTRUM.
COLLEAGUES ANOTHER WARM WELCOME
TO THE SENATORS.
THE SENATORS AND THE SENATE
PRESIDENT PRO TEMPORE ELECT.
TONI ATKINS AND HER SPOUSE
JENNIFER LOSAR
KENNEDY.
WORK AT PLACES RAISE YOUR RIGHT
HAND AND REPEAT AFTER.
I STATE YOUR NAME I TELL YOU
APPLE DO SOLEMNLY SWEAR DO
SOLEMNLY SWEAR THAT I WILL
SUPPORT AND DEFEND THAT I WILL
SUPPORT AND DEFEND THE
CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED
STATES THE CONSTITUTION OF THE
UNITED STATES AND THE
CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE OF
CALIFORNIA AND THE CONSTITUTION
OF THE. GREAT STATE OF
CALIFORNIA AGAINST ALL ENEMIES
FOREIGN AND DOMESTIC AGAINST ALL
ENEMIES FOREIGN AND DOMESTIC
THAT I WILL BEAR TRUE FAITH AND
ALLEGIANCE I WILL BEAR TRUE
FAITH AND ALLEGIANCE TO THE
CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED
STATES TO THE CONSTITUTION OF
THE UNITED STATES AND THE
CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE. OF
CALIFORNIA AND THE CONSTITUTION
OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA THAT
I TAKE THIS OBLIGATION FREELY
THAT I TAKE THIS OBLIGATION
FREELY WITHOUT ANY MENTAL
RESERVATION WITHOUT ANY MENTAL
RESERVATION OR URPOSE OF
EVASION OR PURPOSE OF EVASION.
AND THAT I WILL WELL AND
FAITHFULLY DISCHARGE THAT I WILL
WELL AND FAITHFULLY DISCHARGE
THE DUTIES UPON WHICH I'M ABOUT
TO.
THE DUTIES UPON WHICH I'M ABOUT
TO ENTER.
PROGRAM TO BRING
SENATORS I GUESS I INTRODUCE
YOU.
THE FIRST WOMAN AND FORTY EIGHTH
PRESIDENT PRO TEMPORE A. THE
CALIFORNIA STATE SENATE.
TONI ATKINS.
THANK YOU.
THANK YOU THANK YOU ALL SO VERY
MUCH.
THANK YOU.
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR
INCREDIBLE WORDS I APPRECIATED
SO MUCH.
AND THOSE OF YOU THAT REALLY
KNOW ME KNOW HOW EXCRUCIATING
THIS LAST THIRTY MINUTES HAVE
BEEN. AND NOW I ACTUALLY HAVE TO
DO SOMETHING.
COLLEAGUES I WANT TO BEGIN WITH
AN EXPRESSION OF PROFOUND
GRATITUDE. GRATITUDE.
TO EACH OF YOU FOR THIS
INCREDIBLE PRIVILEGE.
YOU KNOW EVERY DAY I'M STRUCK BY
YOUR ENERGY AND YOUR INTELLECT
I'M INSPIRED BY YOUR PASSION FOR
PUBLIC SERVICE.
I WILL NEVER STOP STRIVING TO
EARN THE TRUST THAT YOU'VE
PLACED IN ME TODAY.
NOR WILL I EVER TAKE FOR GRANTED
THE GRAVITY OF THIS GAVEL.
IT IS MY FIRST OFFICIAL ACT IT'S
REALLY MY HONOR TO WELCOME ALL
OF OUR SPECIAL GUESTS TO THE
SENATE CHAMBER.
GOVERNOR BROWN JOINS ME AT THE
WOMEN'S CAUCUS BREAKFAST THIS
MORNING AND AS GOVERNOR HE LED
US FROM INSOLVENCY TO AND STOP
ABILITY. AND WILL GO DOWN IN
HISTORY AS ONE OF AMERICA'S MOST
EFFECTIVE CHIEF EXECUTIVES.
AB HA.
I GUESS I SHOULD KNOW I SERVED
AS ACTING GOVERNOR FOR A WHOLE
TWELVE HOURS. AND HISTORIANS SAY
IT WAS A TIME OF UNPRECEDENTED
PROSPERITY.
NOW IN ALL HONESTY IT WILL BE A
REAL HONOR TO WORK WITH GOVERNOR
BROWN.
NO I KNOW THERE'S A LOT OF
IMPORTANT PEOPLE WITH REALLY
IMPRESSIVE SOUNDING TITLES IN
THIS ROOM. AND I'M TRULY HUMBLED
BY YOUR PRESENCE HERE TODAY. BUT
TO ME.
THE TITLE MOST OF A SHARE.
IS THE MOST IMPRESSIVE A BALL
AND THAT'S CALIFORNIA.
AND THAT'S A TITLE THAT MEANS
MORE TODAY THAN EVER BEFORE.
DIVERSITY IS OUR DESTINY.
INCLUSION A REFLECTION OF OUR
CHARACTER.
BUT IT'S NOT JUST ABOUT WHO WE
ARE IT'S ABOUT WHAT WE CAN DO
TOGETHER.
OF THAT THERE MIGHT BE NO BETTER
EXAMPLE THAN MY FEARLESS FRIEND
AND LEADER THROUGH THESE LAST
FOUR YEARS OF HISTORIC PROGRESS.
KEVIN DE LEóN AND I CAME IS HE
SAID EARLIER FROM VERY DIFFERENT
BACKGROUNDS.
BUT WE BOTH KNOW WHAT IT MEANS
TO GROW UP SO FAR BELOW THE
POVERTY LINE THAT WE COULD EVEN
SEE THE LINE.
AND WE'RE BOTH COMMITTED NOW TO
GIVING EVERY CALIFORNIAN THE
OPPORTUNITY TO BUILD ON THEIR
BEGINNING.
NO MATTER HOW HUMBLE AND ACHIEVE
THEIR HIGHER CALLING.
SO FOR EVERY GESTURE OF KINDNESS
THAT HE'S EXTENDED TO ME AND FOR
EVERY MEASURE OF DEVOTION HE'S
OFFERED OUR STATE ARE CLIMATE
OUR CHILDREN ARE WORKING
FAMILIES. AND ARE IMMIGRANT
COMMUNITY FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY
HEART I THINK.
THIS HOUSE RESPECTS ITS HISTORY
AND I WANT TO HONOR THE ESTEEMED
FORMER SENATORS WITH US TODAY
WHO SERVED IN THIS ROLE.
BILL LOCKYER JOHN BURTON AND OF
COURSE MAYOR DARRELL STEINBERG.
EACH IN HIS OWN WAY LEFT AN
INDELIBLE IMPRINT ON THE SENATE
AND ON THE STATE.
AND AS A POINT OF PERSONAL
PRIVILEGE I'VE A FEW MEMBERS OF
MY OWN EXTENDED FAMILY TO
ACKNOWLEDGE.
MY CAPITAL AND DISTRICT STAFF.
IN FACT
EVERY SENATE
STAFF MET.
AND ALL THOSE WHO MADE TODAY AND
EVERYDAY IN THE PEOPLE'S HOUSE
POSSIBLE.
YOU KNOW IT'S OUR NAMES IS
ELECTED OFFICIALS ON THE DOOR
BUT IT'S REALLY YOUR WORK ON
THIS FLOOR. AND I KNOW WE
COLLECTIVELY WILL ALWAYS
APPRECIATE WHAT YOU DO.
AND IS ALREADY NOTED ONE OF MY
MOST IMPORTANT MENTORS IS HERE
SENATOR CHRISTINE KEYHOE.
BECAUSE HERE WITH THEIR SPOUSE
TRULY WARREN.
PERRANCE THANK YOU FOR EVERY
OPPORTUNITY THAT YOU HAVE GIVEN
ME OVER THE YEARS.
ALSO MAKING THE TRIP NORTH SAN
DIEGO MAYOR KEVIN FAULKNER AND
OUR SHERIFF BILL GORE.
TODAY IS AN ESPECIALLY FINE DAY
FOR AMERICA'S FINEST CITY IT'S
BEEN NEARLY FORTY YEARS SINCE
JIM MILLS WAS THE FIRST AND ONLY
SENATOR FROM SAN DIEGO COUNTY TO
SERVICE PRO TEM. UNTIL TODAY.
AND I'M HONORED BY EVERY SAN
DIEGANS WHO'S MADE THE TRIP HERE
TODAY THANK YOU.
I WANT TO EXTEND A SPECIAL
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT TO THOSE
COLLEAGUES WITH WHOM I SERVED ON
THE SAN DIEGO CITY COUNCIL. JIM
ADAPT FOR ASSEMBLY MEMBER BRIAN
MAIENSCHEIN ALONG WITH OF COURSE
MY CURRENT COLLEAGUE SENATOR BEN
HUESO.
MY GOOD FRIEND AND FORMER
COLLEAGUE CONGRESSMAN SCOTT
PETERS IS IN WASHINGTON DO IN
OUR NATION'S BUSINESS BUT IS
INCREDIBLE REMARKABLE WIFE LYNN
GORGEOUS IS HERE WITH US.
I WANNA RECOGNIZE ONE OF MY
DEAREST FRIENDS IN COLLEGE PAN
KASSNER. SHE HAS SERVED THREE
DIFFERENT VIRGINIA GOVERNOR'S
AND STILL FIND TIME TO BE HERE
WITH ME TODAY THANKS TO PAY.
AND THAT'S MY WORK FAMILY HERE'S
MY FAMILY FOUND.
I'M PLEASE INTRODUCE AGAIN MY
MOTHER AND FATHER IN LAW DR JACK
KATE LISTS ARE.
THEN OF COURSE MOST IMPORTANTLY
SHE'S BEEN MENTIONED TODAY MUST
BE.
FOR LISTS ARE
.
EVERY DAY JENNIFER PROVES YOU
DON'T HAVE TO SERVE AN ELECTED.
SERVE THE POOR
GOOD AND I WOULDN'T BE.
SERVING AYE
TODAY.
HER SO.
YOU KNOW TO EVERYONE PRESENT TO
EVERY CALIFORNIAN AND ESPECIALLY
TO MY COLLEAGUES
TODAY MIGHT SEEM ALL ABOUT ME.
BUT TOMORROW AND I DO PROMISE
THIS IT'S ALL ABOUT YOU AND I
REALLY CAN'T WAIT TO GET
STARTED.
BY NURTURE OR NATURE I'VE ALWAYS
BEEN A LITTLE UNCOMFORTABLE
TALKING WHEN THE SUBJECT OF THE
SENTENCE IS ME.
I REALLY DO PREFER TO WORK
BEHIND THE SCENES ADVANCING GOOD
PUBLIC POLICY AND HOPEFULLY.
MAKING LIFE EASIER AND BETTER
AND MORE AFFORDABLE FOR EVERY
DAY CALIFORNIANS.
BUT TOO MANY GENERATIONS OF
PIONEERS AND TRAIL BLAZERS HAVE
SACRIFICED TOO MUCH TO THE CAUSE
OF EQUALITY FOR ME NOT TO
HIGHLIGHT A FEW HISTORIC FIRST.
IT MAY HAVE WORRIED BEEN SAID.
BUT.
IT BEARS REPEATING.
ONE THIS IS THE FIRST TIME AN
OPEN MEMBER OF THE LGBTQ
COMMUNITY HAS BEEN ELECTED TO
LEAD THE CALIFORNIA STATE
SENATE.
INTO.
THIS IS THE FIRST TIME A WOMAN
HAS BEEN ELECTED TO LEAD THE
SENATE OF AMERICA'S LARGEST
STATE.
IT IS THE FIRST.
IT IS THE FIRST TIME.
AND IT'S ABOUT TIME.
NOW TO BE HONEST WITH YOU I CAME
TO THE SENATE TO MAKE PROGRESS
NOT HISTORY.
BUT FROM TOUCHING ANY PART OF
THE SKY TODAY IT'S BECAUSE I'M
STANDING ON THE SHOULDERS OF
CAREERS OF COURAGE.
INDIVIDUALS WHO REFUSE TO ACCEPT
CLOSE DOORS HIDDEN CLOSETS ARE
GLASS CEILINGS.
THEY WANT. THEY WERE WORKING.
MARCHING IN THE STREETS BATTLING
IN COURT ROOMS SPEAKING OUT AND
STEPPING UP.
THIS ASCENSION IS THEIR
ACCOMPLISHMENT IT'S NOT MINE.
SO WHAT I CAN DO TO CELEBRATE
THEIR LEGACIES IS TO FOLLOW
THEIR EXAMPLES AND FIGHT EVERY
SINGLE DAY TO MAKE MOMENTS LIKE
THIS THE RULE INSTEAD OF THE
RARE EXCEPTION.
I'M PARTICULARLY HONORED TO
ACCEPT THE GAVEL AT THE SAME
TIME A WOMAN IS ALREADY LEADING
THE REPUBLICANS.
PAT BATES TONIGHT AREALWAYS
IDEOLOGICAL SOUL MATES BUT WE
ARE SOUL SISTERS WHO BOTH LOVE
CALIFORNIA. AND I'M EXCITED
ABOUT WEEK WHAT WE WILL BE ABLE
TO ACCOMPLISH TOGETHER PAT.
AND SINCE MOMENT SHOWS
CALIFORNIA'S ALWAYS BEEN A PLACE
THAT PROVES HISTORY NEED NOT BE
DESTINY.
CALIFORNIA'S ARE CONSTANTLY
REWRITING OUR OWN NARRATIVE
WE'RE DREAMERS NOT DWELLERS
WE'VE BUILT THE GREATEST ENGINE
OF OPPORTUNITY THAT EARTH HAS
EVER KNOWN. BUT WE NEVER SETTLE
FOR THE STATUS QUO. WERE NOT
CONTENT TO JUST STAND OUR GROUND
WE REACH FOR THE STARS.
WE ARE THE ENVY OF THE WORLD
BECAUSE OF THAT.
NOW THERE ALWAYS BE PEOPLE IN
THIS LINE OF WORK TO CLING TO A
GAUZY VERSION OF A SIMPLER PAST.
BUT FOR CALIFORNIA.
TO QUOTE THAT GREAT PHILOSOPHER
OF MY DAY CARLY SIMON.
THESE ARE THE GOOD OLD DAYS.
STEP OUTSIDE AND SO GIDEON SEE
THE NATURAL SPLENDOR MATCHED
WITH HUMAN CAPITAL INNOVATORS
AND EDUCATORS AND CAREGIVERS AND
SKILLED WORKERS. COMMUNITIES
TEAMING WITH DIVERSITY IN
PRODUCT.
IN RECENT YEARS WE'VE KICKED
OPEN DOORS TO FAIR WAGES AND
FUNDAMENTAL HUMAN RIGHTS
WE'VE INVESTED IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS
MODERN INFRASTRUCTURE CLEAN AIR
AND WATER.
WE'VE MADE IT EASIER FOR PEOPLE
TO ACCESS HEALTH CARE WHEN THEY
NEED IT. TO AFFORD A ROOF OVER
THEIR HEAD WHERE THEY NEED IT.
AND TO SAY FOR A SECURE
RETIREMENT AFTER A LIFETIME OF
SERVICE.
THESE ARE THE GOOD OLD DAYS.
ON ANY GIVEN DAY CALIFORNIA IS
THE WORLD'S BREAD BASKET.
THE CAPITOL OF BOTH THE
ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRY AN
INNOVATION ECONOMY AND IT
PRODUCES MORE DOMESTIC
PROSPERITY THAN TWO HUNDRED AND
THIRTY SIX NATION'S.
THE FUTURE IS NOW AND IT'S
WITHIN EACH OF US TO BRING IT
FORTH.
OUR CHALLENGE NOW IS TO ENSURE
THAT THOSE GOOD OLD DAYS ARE
BEING ENJOYED UNIVERSALLY. NOT
JUST THE PRIVILEGE OF CERTAIN
COMMUNITIES.
WE MUST INSURE THAT EVERY PERSON
LIVING IN CALIFORNIA NO MATTER
HOW THEY LOOK. OR WHO THEY LOVE
OR WHERE THEIR PARENTS WERE BORN
CAN CLIMB LIFE SPLATTER LIVE OUT
LOUD AND BE WHO EVER THEY WANT
TO BE. WITHOUT.
WITHOUT BEING DEMEANED DOWNSIZED
OR
RELATED.
CALIFORNIA'S TRUEST PUT
MITCHELL IS
A BE A PLACE WHERE NOTHING
STANDS IN THE WAY OF ITS
PEOPLE FULFILLING THEIR TRUEST
POTENTIAL.
AND IS A DULY ELECTED
REPRESENTATIVE OF ALL OF THE
PEOPLE WE WE MUST ALWAYS STRIVE
TO LEAD BY EXAMPLE. FOR THIS
LEGISLATURE THESE LAST FEW
MONTHS.
THE LEARNING CURVE SPIN A LITTLE
STEEP.
WE'VE BEEN CONFRONTED WITH SOME
HARD TRUTHS ABOUT OUR DUTY TO
EACH OTHER AND TO OUR EMPLOYEES
IN THIS HALLOWED WORKPLACE.
THE WORK THAT WE DO THE LAWS
THAT WE PASS HOLD THE POWER TO
POSITIVELY CHANGE MILLIONS OF
LIVES.
BUT GREAT POLICY MAKING DOESN'T
EXEMPT POLICYMAKERS FROM
PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY.
TO SOME EXTENT WE BEAR THE
BURDEN OF PAST SINS TOO OFTEN
SWEPT UNDER THE RUG. WE CAN'T
CHANGE THE PAST
BUT WE CAN AND WE SHOULD BE
JUDGED ON HOW WE SHAPE THE
FUTURE.
RECENTLY WE'VE REFORM SOME OF
OUR INTERNAL PROCESSES FOR THE
BETTER.
BUT WE KNOW THE TRUE CULTURE
CHANGE CANNOT BE LEGISLATED OR
DECREED.
IT DOESN'T OCCUR OVERNIGHT AND
IT DOESN'T GET SOLVED SIMPLY BY
ELECTING WOMEN TO LEADERSHIP.
TRUE CULTURE CHANGE HOLDING
OURSELVES TO A HIGHER STANDARD
REQUIRES THE ACTIVE EVERYDAY
ENLIGHTENED PARTICIPATION OF
EVERY PERSON WHO WORKS IN AND
AROUND THIS CAPITAL.
AND I PLEDGE TO YOU. THAT WILL
BE OUR MISSION AND OUR MANDATE.
AND WE WILL TREAT ANY PERSON OF
ANY GENDER IDENTITY AGE OR
ORIENTATION WHO WALKS INTO THE
PEOPLE'S BUILDING. WITH RESPECT.
COURSE CULTURE CHANGES ABOUT
MORE THAN HOW WE TREAT ONE
ANOTHER.
IT'S ALSO HOW COLLABORATIVELY WE
WORK.
ANOTHER LESSON OF THE PAST FEW
MONTHS IS THAT OUR LEGISLATURE
IS AT ITS BEST WHEN WE ENDEAVOR
TO BE GREATER THAN THE SUM OF
OUR TURF BATTLES.
WE ARE A BIG TENT.
AND WE ARE BI CAMERAL.
BUT SOME ISSUES CRY OUT FOR
ELEVATED CONSENSUS.
AND ONE THING I'VE NOTICED IN
CEREMONIAL MOMENTS LIKE TODAY
WHEN THE CAMERAS ARE ROLLING.
WE PAID IN BOLD COLORS PROMISING
ASPIRATION ABOVE AMBITION.
PARTNERSHIP OVER PARTISANSHIP
UNITY OVER DIVISION AND
EVERYTHING SEEMS POSSIBLE.
IT'S A SWEET SOUNDING SENTIMENT
BUT IT ALWAYS SEEMS TO HAVE A
DAY LONG SHELF LIFE.
HOW FAST THOSE IDEALS FADE?
TODAY'S APPLAUSE LINES BECOME
TOMORROW'S BROKEN PROMISES.
AND I NOT INTERESTED IN HAPPY
RHETORIC.
I'LL BE HAPPY WHEN WE GET
RESULTS.
AND I'M WILLING TO WORK WITH
ANYONE. ANYONE WILLING TO SHAKE
OFF THE SHACKLES OF ZERO SOME
THINKING AND PUT SOME BIG IDEAS
ON THE TABLE FOR THE PEOPLE OF
CALIFORNIA.
NO IT IS NO SECRET THAT I HAVE A
DEEP AND ABIDING AFFECTION FOR
THE ASSEMBLY AND THE MEMBERS WHO
SERVE THEIR.
THEY WERE MY COLLEAGUES AND THEY
ARE MY FRIENDS.
AND I NO MY SUCCESSOR AS SPEAKER
ANTHONY RENDON.
TO BE A LEADER OF INTEGRITY AND
CREATIVITY.
AND IF YOU THINK I MIGHT NOT
CARE ENOUGH ABOUT THE HISTORICAL
RIVALRY WHICH SEPARATES THE
SENATE FROM THE ASSEMBLY.
YOUR RIGHT I DON'T CARE AT ALL
ABOUT HOLD FIGHTS INFRACTIONS.
YOU KNOW THE PEOPLE THAT WE
SERVE VIEW US AS ONE CO EQUAL
BRANCH OF GOVERNMENT AND THEY
HOLD US TO THE EXACT SAME
MEASURE.
AND I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO
COLLABORATING WITH MY FRIENDS
SPEAKER RENDON AND THE ENTIRE
ASSEMBLY TO MEET AND EXCEED
THOSE PUBLIC EXPECTATIONS.
I KNOW OUR HOUSES HAVE SOME
DIFFERENCES.
THE RED CARPET VERSUS THE GREEN.
WASHINGTON VERSUS LINCOLN.
BUT WE HAVE FAR MORE IN COMMON.
THE OATH WE TOOK.
THE CONSTITUENTS WE SIR.
PARK QUIET UNDERSTATED
APPROPRIATIONS CHAIRS.
I COULDN'T HELP MYSELF.
I'M SORRY WE NEED A LITTLE
LEVITY.
SO I DON'T CARE WHETHER YOU'RE
SENATOR ORRIN ASSEMBLY MEMBER A
REPUBLICAN OR A DEMOCRAT RURAL
OR URBAN NORTH SOUTH OR CENTRAL
WE ARE ALL CALIFORNIANS. WE ALL
REPRESENT CALIFORNIANS AND LIKE
CLIFORNIA ITSELF WE SUCCEED OR
WE FAIL TOGETHER.
OKAY SO THAT'S MY DEAL.
I WANT TO BUILD ON THE
REMARKABLE PROGRESS OF THE PAST.
BUT I WANT TO APPROACH IT A
LITTLE DIFFERENTLY.
BECAUSE THAT'S WHAT TRANSITIONS
ARE FOR TO REFLECT TO RENEW AND
TO EVOLVE.
AND I KNOW THAT OLD WAYS DIE
HARD.
BUT WE OWE IT TO OUR
CONSTITUENTS AND EVERYONE WHO
WORKS IN AND AROUND THIS
BUILDING TO TURN THE PAGE AND
WRITE OUR OWN NARRATIVE.
AFTER ALL ISN'T THAT THE PROMISE
OF CALIFORNIA. WHERE PEOPLE CAN
DREAM BIG DREAMS AND MAKE THEM
REAL? WHERE PEOPLE COULD BE
WHOEVER THEY WANT TO BE?
WHERE THE DAUGHTER OF A POOR
VIRGINIA COAL MINER CAN SUCCEED
THE SUN?
OF A MEXICAN HOUSEKEEPER AS
LEADER OF THE STATE SENATE.
AND THEN IS THE CALIFORNIA THAT
I LOVE
AND THAT'S A.
SO WANT TO THANK YOU ALL FOR
LISTENING
TODAY.
AND NOW LET'S GET BACK TO WORK.
THANK
.
COLLEAGUES PLEASE ONE MORE ROUND
OF APPLAUSE FOR THE FORTY.
PRESIDENT PRO TAP OF THE
CALIFORNIA STATE SENATE.
COLLEAGUES AND FRIENDS I GET TO
HAVE THE LAST WORD.
I DO WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE AND I
APOLOGIZE I WAS REMISS EARLIER.
NOT IDENTIFYING ONE OF THE WOMEN
UPON WHO SHOULDERS WE NOW STAND
WHO IS HERE WITH US TODAY
THEY'RE ACTUALLY TO.
ONE OUR FRIEND DEDE ALPERT WHO
WAS A GREAT MENTOR TO MANY OF
US.
THEN I FORMER STATE SENATOR AND
SECRETARY OF STATE JOHN BOLTON
WHO IS WITH US AS WELL.
AND SOME HERE WE ARE.
WE'VE HEARD.
REFERENCE TO THE WISDOM OF
CARLY SIMON AMY POEHLER HIM
BEYOND SAY.
WE HAVE THE FIRST PRESIDENT PRO
TEM WHO IS SO WEARING POLKA
DOTTED SHOES.
YOU'VE BEEN OUTBID YOU'RE
WEARING POLKA DOTTED CHOOSE.
YES INDEED.
AND FOR THE GREAT THINGS TO COME
THERE BEING NO OTHER BUSINESS
THE SENATE WILL STAND IN RECESS
UNTIL THREE THIRTY THIS
AFTERNOON AT WHICH TIME THE
ADJOURNMENT MOTION WILL BE MADE
AND WE RECONVENE COLLEAGUES.
TOMORROW AT NINE AM