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June 2026 Community Events and Involvement

I was honored to participate in the Stemtree San Jose grand opening celebration! Located in the Evergreen Village Square, Stemtree aims to serve K-12 students through hands-on learning in Science, Engineering, Coding, and Math. Congratulations to owners, Naga and Chetana Prasad, on this exciting accomplishment!

I was honored to speak at Agri-Pulse Communications, Inc.'s Food & Ag Issues Summit about the future of California agriculture. In the Legislature, I've served on the Senate Agriculture Committee and worked to protect California's agricultural lands, including through my SB 462 to preserve working farms and ranches through the California Farmland Conservancy Program.

The Economic Summit at San Jose State University was impressive, where community leaders, academics, and policymakers came together to discuss the challenges and opportunities facing Silicon Valley.

My office celebrated the 10th anniversary of the Village Square Library in Evergreen! The Village Square Library is the second busiest branch in the city serving 170,00 visitors annually. It was funded by the library bond the voters passed which we put on the ballot when I was the District 8 councilmember. Thanks to current Councilmember Domingo Candelas D8 for his continued support. My District Director, Michelle Pelayo-Osorio, pictured presenting a Senate Certificate of Recognition on my behalf.

I am proud to announce Silicon Valley Youth Climate Action (SVYCA) as Senate District 15’s 2026 Nonprofit of the Year! Congrats to SVYCA and its Executive Director, Ze-Kun Li, and its Community Engagement Coordinator, MJ Sasse, on their hard work engaging our youth. Their work to engage young people in climate policy, environmental education, and grassroots organizing is helping drive meaningful change across our communities.

My office joined another great gathering at the Mineta Transportation Institute's Annual Banquet and Convocation Celebration at San Jose State University. The event brought together transportation leaders, students, alumni, and community partners to celebrate another year of innovation and achievement.

Meghan Bedi from my office had a great time at the Moreland West Neighborhood Summer Social at Los Ranchitos Cabana Club! Thank you to the neighborhood association President, Amy Cody, and all its members for a wonderful event.

Thank you to the Refugee & Immigrant Forum of Santa Clara County for hosting this year's World Refugee Day celebration! It was a day to honor the resilience, courage, and contributions of refugees who have enriched our communities and strengthened our nation. My District Representative, Mariam Ghallab, attended and presented a Senate Certificate of Recognition on my behalf.

Congratulations to Pride Social South County on its 10th annual LGBTQ+ flag raising ceremony in Morgan Hill! Championed by former Morgan Hill Councilmember Rene Spring, the flag raising reaffirms our commitment to equality, dignity, and inclusion for all. The flag raising ceremony was co-hosted by Morgan Hill Councilwoman Yvonne Martínez Beltrán and Supervisor Sylvia Arenas.

What better way to celebrate Pride Month than being at Gilroy’s LGBTQ+ Community Celebration to honor the diversity, resilience and contributions of our LGBTQ+ friends and neighbors. My District Director, Michelle Pelayo-Osorio, attended the celebration on my behalf.

Today, my office celebrated the 30th Anniversary of the founding of Trường Việt Ngữ Về Nguồn, a Vietnamese Language School in San Jose. Thank you for preserving and promoting Vietnamese language and culture here in the 15th Senate District! District Representative, Meghan Bedi, attended and presented a Senate Certificate on my behalf.

Congratulations to all of LIUNA Local 270's scholarship recipients! Congratulations to all of this year’s recipients, and thank you to LiUNA Local 270 for its continued dedication to supporting education and creating opportunities for young people to succeed.

Congratulations to On Lok PACE on the grand opening and ribbon cutting of its third PACE Center in Santa Clara County, now serving South San José! Located at 151 Martinvale Lane, the new center will expand access to vital care and support services for an additional 400 seniors, helping older adults age with dignity while remaining connected to their communities.

What better way to wrap up Affordable Housing Month than to break ground on Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority and Affirmed Housing’s new Berryessa Transit-Oriented Development. This new development will bring 195 affordable housing units, including supportive housing for formerly unhoused residents, directly next to the Berryessa BART Station and transit center. My District Representative, Zachary Contini, attended the groundbreaking ceremony on my behalf.

Congratulations to Campbell Union School District Superintendent Shelly Viramontez on your retirement! In her 10 years as Superintendent and her 30 years in education, Shelly has been instrumental to educational access and enrichment in Santa Clara County. My District Director, Michelle Pelayo-Osorio, attended Shelly’s retirement reception and presented a Senate Resolution on my behalf.

For more than 50 years, Alum Rock Counseling Center ARCC has been a lifeline for at-risk and underserved youth in East San José. Congratulations to ARCC on another successful annual fundraising luncheon and for continuing to raise the critical resources needed to sustain its vital programs and services. Thank you to everyone who continues to support ARCC’s mission and invest in the well-being of our next generation.

For 18 years, the Vietnamese American Professional Women Association of Silicon Valley has held a scholarship reception recognizing and commending Vietnamese American students who have excelled academically and given back to their community. Congratulations to each recipient, and thank you to Vietnamese American Professional Women for continuing to invest in the next generation of leaders.

Kudos to Gomez Edwards Law Group, LLP on a successful "Out of the House" Networking Event at Hop & Vine on The Alameda. Gomez Edwards Law Group specializes in family law. My District Representative, Meghan Bedi, attended the networking event on my behalf. Fun fact: my former County staffer Joanna Molina works with them as a paralegal!

Thank you to the California Transit Association for having me serve as a speaker at its Spring Legislative Conference! I appreciated the opportunity to share more about my work as Chair of the Senate Transportation Committee and my concerns for the future of California's transportation infrastructure. Special thanks to CTA Executive Committee Chair Erin Rogers for the important leadership she provides in advancing public transportation throughout California.

Congratulations to LS Power Grid California on its groundbreaking ceremony for its “Power the Bay” projects, a major investment in strengthening our grid reliability and supporting our region’s growing energy needs. These projects are expected to deliver cleaner, more reliable energy infrastructure across Alameda and Santa Clara Counties. My District Representative, Meghan Bedi, attended and presented them a Senate Certificate of Recognition on my behalf.

I had a great time joining families, educators, and community partners at the Alum Rock Union Elementary School District's Parent University event co-hosted by First Tee -Silicon Valley at Rancho del Pueblo Golf Course in San Jose. Thank you to ARUSD's Sandra Garcia and First Tee Silicon Valley's President George Maxe, and it's Board Chair, Victor Arragana, for investing in East San Jose families and empowering the next generation both in and out of the classroom.

It is my distinct honor to announce that this year's Senate District 15's 2026 Small Business of the Year is Royal Clothiers of Morgan Hill! Royal Clothiers is owned by Carlos Perez and his family. Small businesses employ millions of Californians and generate billions in economic activity and tax revenue each year, serving as the backbone of our economy and local communities. Businesses like Royal Clothiers embody the hard work, perseverance, and community spirit that keep California strong.

I’m proud to share that my SB 1392 - also known as "Jay Leno's Law 2.0” - officially passed the California State Senate and now heads to the California State Assembly. SB 1392 provides a carefully crafted smog check exemption for qualifying classic and collectible vehicles, helping preserve California’s rich automotive heritage. Thank you to the bipartisan coalition of supporters, car enthusiasts, small businesses, and advocates who helped move this bill forward. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uFn-8io0ntc

A big round of applause to the African American Community Service Agency and their many volunteers on a successful 45th Annual Juneteenth celebration! I presented a Senate Certificate of Recognition to its fearless leader, Milan Balinton, who just celebrated his 15th anniversary at the helm of this wonderful organization. When I served as a Supervisor I led efforts to declare Juneteenth as a paid county holiday.

It was a very festive afternoon at History Park in San Jose where we celebrated this year's 2026 Dia de Portugal Festival! I presented a Senate Certificate of Recognition to Portuguese Historical Museum's President, Lisa Marie Avila. We were joined by the Festival Chair, Maria Roliz, Consul General of Portugal in SF, Filipe Ramalheira, Congressman Rep. Sam Liccardo, SJ Mayor Matt Mahan, and SJ Councilman Peter Ortiz.

What a great Women Veterans Day Walk! Observed annually on June 12, the walk commemorates the anniversary of the 1948 Women's Armed Services Integration Act, the landmark legislation that granted women the legal right to serve as permanent, regular members of the U.S. Armed Forces. We honor their courage, sacrifice, and leadership. My District Intern, Andrew, attended on my behalf.

Thank you to San Jose City Councilmembers Anthony Tordillos, David Cohen, Peter Ortiz, and Domingo Candelas for hosting today's Philippine Independence Day 2026 Flag Raising Event at City Hall. My District Representative, Meghan Bedi, attended and presented a Senate Certificate of Recognition to co-host organization, Bayanihan Fil-Am Foundation.

I had the opportunity to join leaders from across the Affordable Housing sector at the Loan Guarantee Summit to discuss innovative solutions to California's housing crisis. During a panel conversation, I highlighted my bill, SB 750, which would unlock new financing tools to help move shovel-ready affordable housing developments from the drawing board to reality. The panel was hosted by Sobrato Philanthropies and Good River Partners.

Congratulations to Graciela Reyes on the grand opening of her second Las Cazuelas Restaurant located in the Santa Teresa neighborhood! Small businesses and family-owned restaurants are the heart of our communities, creating jobs, bringing people together, and sharing the rich cultural traditions that make Santa Clara County so special.

Join me in welcoming Kanan Clifford and Andrew Lieu, our new Senate District 15 Summer Interns. Kanan is joining my Capitol Office, and Andrew is joining my District Office. Thank you, Kanan and Andrew, for your commitment to public service and our district. We are grateful to have you!

Office Information

Capitol Office

1021 O Street
Suite 7520
Sacramento, CA 95814

Phone: (916) 651-4015
Fax: (916) 651-4915

San Jose Office

1155 Meridian Avenue
Suite 100
San Jose, CA 95125

Phone: (408) 723-4154
Fax: (408) 723-4159

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