The Leno Report - Winter 2006/2007
21 Leno Bills Approved by the Legislature
When the clock struck midnight on Friday, September 1st, bringing an end to the legislative session, 21 bills authored by Assemblyman Mark Leno had passed the legislature, and fifteen were signed by the Governor. Leno’s successful year was marked with the passage of a diverse legislative package that included bringing healthy foods to low-income neighborhoods, allowing farmers to grow industrial hemp, reforming the initiative process, assisting foster youth obtain higher education, helping to generate solar power in San Francisco, protecting LGBT elders, and bringing sunshine to our State Agencies. To read more about Leno’s legislative accomplishments this year, please read the Bay Area Reporter editorial here or visit the Assemblyman’s website here.If you have an idea that you think would make a good law, please call Assemblyman Leno’s office at: (415) 557-3013. Before every good law, there was a great idea!
Leno to Chair Appropriations Committee
On September 11, Speaker Fabian Núñez named Leno as Chair of the State Assembly Appropriations Committee, which oversees all legislation that has a fiscal impact on the state.As Appropriations Chair, Leno will serve as a member of Speaker Núñez’ executive leadership team and will play a pivotal role in the development of policy for California’s economy, which is the sixth largest in the world.
Following the appointment Leno said “I am honored that the Speaker has entrusted me to this important post. I look forward to working with my colleagues to craft sound fiscal policy that protects the heath, safety and well being of every Californian.”
Speaker Núñez stated that, “I am proud to name Assemblyman Mark Leno as Chair of the powerful Appropriations Committee, which plays a central role in the legislative process and hears literally thousands of bills each session. I look forward to working with him and the other members of the leadership team to ensure the 2007-2008 legislative session is productive and successful for the people of California,” he said.
For a full list of the Speaker Núñez’s new committee appointments, please visit www.assembly.ca.gov/nunez .
Bayview Back-to-School Carnival
In August, Assemblyman Leno teamed up with businesses and non-profit organizations to help prepare students at various Bayview schools for the upcoming school year. The annual Back-To School Carnival’s theme was "Celebrating Fun & Healthy Lifestyles for the Whole Community!" Residents from the area enjoyed the carnival which helped to raise funds and awareness for the Willie L. Brown College Preparatory Academy, George Washington Carver Elementary and Bret Harte Elementary School in the Bayview/Hunters Point District. For more information on preparing your child for school, please visit Parents for Public Schools at: http://www.ppssf.org/. (Pictured: Assemblyman Leno and District Attorney Kamala Harris ride the Ferris wheel at the carnival).
Japantown Celebrates 100 Years
Only three Japantowns remain in existence in the United States—San Jose, Los Angeles and San Francisco—and we have the honor of being home to the oldest Japantown in the nation. San Francisco’s Japanese community was displaced from its home in South Park and Chinatown following the 1906 earthquake. The community up-rooted itself and began development in the Western Addition, where Japantown remains today. Earlier this year, as Japantown celebrated this monumental milestone, Assemblyman Leno remarked, “This year, as our City celebrates the 100th Anniversary of Japantown, we recognize and honor the contributions of brave individuals, the vital role neighborhood-based organizations play in our community, and the beautiful traditions, culture and heritage Japanese immigrants brought to our City a century ago.” For more information on the many festivities in the City for this anniversary, please visit: http://www.sfjapantown100.org/.
2006 Youth in Action Awards
Assemblyman Leno, in collaboration with Youth Leadership Institute, honored local high school students for their exceptional commitment to community service through his 2nd annual “Youth in Action” recognition event. Students were nominated by their respective schools and chosen to receive the award after a rigorous selection process to assess their contributions to the community. The judges were from various community groups and non-profit organizations throughout San Francisco. Fifteen students were selected through this city-wide search, and were honored at a ceremony hosted by Assemblyman Leno in June.
In Memoriam: SFPD Seargent Darryl Tsujimoto, Officer Nick-Tomasito Birco, and Sue Bierman
This summer, San Francisco mourned the passing of two of our City’s finest police officers. SFPD Seargent Darryl Tsujimoto (left) led the Tactical Company Canine Unit since the late 1990’s, garnering national recognition for his
efforts in the program’s unique work with canines. Officer Nick-Tomasito Birco (right) was revered in the Bayview Police Station as an exceptional officer whose selfless dedication to public safety was respected throughout the community. Both Officers’ lives were cut short when they were killed in the line of duty.
Additionally, the City lost a beloved leader and friend when Sue Bierman passed away in August. Her many legislative successes are are a testament to her strength and vision. Her passion for San Francisco and the values we share will live on through the many people she inspired.
Each of these individuals has served San Francisco well and will be greatly missed.
Staff News
We greatly appreciate the hard work and amazing energy of our Summer and Fall District Office Interns Tiffany Guan, Jack Mui, Tiffany Cook, Teresa Louie, Alan Durand Lightfeldt, James Borolo, Alexandra Kamel, Mary Rodriguez, and Justin Daley. And as always, we are grateful for the continuing contributions of our District Office volunteers Bruce Traficante and Michael Chan. (Pictured: District Office Staff, Volunteers, and Interns enjoy a picnic in Golden Gate Park).
We would like to welcome several new staff members to Team Leno in December - Carlos Machado as Legislative Director and LaMonte Bishop as Senior Field Representative. Both come to their respective jobs with many years of service to the state. We also thank several departing staff members for their contributions and wish them well in their future endeavors—Kathy Dresslar and Corinne Chapa in the Capitol and Julian Davis in the District.
LENO RECEIVES
SAN FRANCISCO
LABOR COUNCIL AWARD
Assemblyman Leno was honored by the San Francisco Labor Council at their April 21st COPE Banquet. Leno is pictured here marching with Local 2 this summer.
LENO HONORED BY SYNAGOGUE IN LOS ANGELES
Temple Beth Chayim Chadashim, Hebrew for "House of New Life,” is the world's first synagogue for the LGBT community. The synagogue gave Assemblyman Leno their ‘Herman Humanitarian Award’ on May 21st, for his ongoing work to promote the civil rights of LGBT citizens.
BURTON HIGH SCHOOL WELCOMES LENO FOR "RAINBOW DAY"
Assemblyman Leno spoke before the student body at Philip and Sala Burton High School to help bring awareness to issues facing the LGBT community.
LENO SERVES AS MAYOR OF "INDEPENDENCE CITY"
In May, more than 75 foster youth from San Francisco got a taste of adulthood by taking part in “Independence City,” a simulation game designed to teach young people how to access community resources and overcome obstacles they will encounter as they transition into adulthood. Assemblyman Leno served as Mayor of the City which was sponsored by the Community College Foundation’s San Francisco Independent Living Skills Program.
MISSION BAY BRANCH LIBRARY OPENS
San Francisco’s 27th public library opened this summer in the fast-growing Mission Bay neighborhood. It’s the first new public library in 40 years! Read more about Assemblyman Leno’s thoughts on our public libraries here.
UCSF PEDIATRIC INTERNSHIP GRADUATION CEREMONY
Assemblyman Leno honored graduating students from the UCSF Pediatrics High School Student Summer Internship Program in Biomedical and Health Sciences in August. This program offers 21 minority and economically disadvantaged students a hands-on introduction to the world of science and medicine.
Last year, Assemblyman Mark Leno (D-San Francisco) sponsored a bill banning two types of toxic chemicals used as fire retardants in foam padding in furniture. These chlorinated and brominated chemicals are linked to cancer, birth defects and reproductive disorders; they migrate from furniture to dust particles, are breathed in by children and pets, and are found in the breast milk of nursing mothers. That bill, however, never reached Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's desk, falling victim to election-year squabbling.
