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October 2026 Community Events and Involvement

What an honor to speak at the Our City Forest “Growing Our Future” Gala, celebrating more than 30 years of growing a greener, healthier Silicon Valley, with over 80,000 trees planted across Santa Clara County since 1994. I was joined onstage by former State Senator Jim Beall, with whom I presented a Senate Resolution to Founding President & CEO Emeritus Rhonda Berry for her decades of leadership! Thank you also to Executive Director Tara Sreekrishnan and OCF’s volunteers for carrying the mission forward.

What an honor and a privilege to have met former and first ever Taiwanese female President, Tsai Ing-wen, this week at the 115th National Day of Taiwan celebration hosted by Director General David Chih-Hsiang Wu and the Taiwan in San Francisco. From semiconductors and technology to trade, education, and innovation, Taiwan and Silicon Valley share deep economic and people-to-people ties.

I had the opportunity to welcome my fellow Senate colleague, Senator Christopher Cabaldon, to my Senate District 15 as he visited San Jose's very own "Pinoytown" otherwise known as Filipino Town as part of his Filipino American History Month tour across California. Our visit to "Pinoytown" in the heart of my District highlighted the importance of preserving Filipino American communities, honoring the generations who paved the way, and celebrating the diversity that strengthens our neighborhoods.

I am proud to have hosted our 4th Annual Picnic by the Lake Multicultural Festival and Resource Fair at Hellyer County Park. Thousands of South San José and Senate District 15 neighbors came together to celebrate our community’s diversity and connect with nearly 100 resource booths. Thank you to the Santa Clara County Parks Department, the San Jose Japantown Lions Club and Foundation, our community partners, nonprofits, volunteers, and everyone who joined us.

My District Director, Michelle Pelayo-Osorio, joined the Santa Clara County La Raza Lawyers Association 50th Anniversary Dinner and presented a Senate Resolution on my behalf, shown here with Chris Arreola. The event was a celebration of the association’s longstanding commitment to advancing justice and supporting the Latino legal community. Congratulations to President Felipe Romero and the LRLA team on 50 years!

Congratulations to the Santa Clara County Parks on 70 years of connecting our community with the outdoors and protecting the natural spaces that make Santa Clara County so special. My District Representative, Mariam Ghallab, attended the 70th Anniversary celebration on my behalf.

It was great to see community come together at the State Capitol for the 3rd Annual Life Without Parole Walk for Life Walk-A-Thon, hosted by Drop LWOP and partners, in solidarity with incarcerated people across the state! My Policy Analyst, Clare Recinos, joined the event on my behalf.

Lots of enthusiasm at Santa Clara County Office of the Assessor's 2026 State of Property Values Address, led by our newest County Assessor, Neysa Fligor! Congratulations to Assessor Fligor on stepping into this important role. I look forward to working together to support transparency, responsible governance, and the continued strength of our local economy.

I was grateful for the opportunity to recognize the Durga Puja celebration at the Santa Clara County Fairgrounds, hosted by Bay Area Prabasi! Thank you Bay Area Prabasi for your work uplifting the rich traditions of Hindu culture in Senate District 15. My District Representative, Meghan Bedi, attended on my behalf.

My District Representative, Mariam Ghallab, attended a Data Center Community Town Hall on my behalf, hosted by the Los Paseos Neighborhood Association. Community input and engagement is essential as we grapple with the future of data center development in our region!

The Mid-Autumn Children’s Moon Festival, hosted by the Story Road Business Association, was a beautiful celebration highlighting the importance of sharing cultural traditions with the next generation. My District Representative, Phuong Nguyen, attended the event on my behalf. Wishing a joyful Mid-Autumn Festival to all who celebrate!

Happy 100th Birthday to Delia Colacicco, a lifelong community leader with deep roots in San José’s Evergreen Valley! My District Representative, Mariam Ghallab, was honored to join Delia’s birthday celebration and present her with an official Senate Resolution on my behalf. Thank you, Delia, for a century of service and partnership.

Happy 10th Anniversary, Silicon Valley at Home! Here’s to ten years of tackling one of our region’s most pressing issues, the need for more Affordable Housing.

Congratulations to Nep Viet Restaurant on its grand opening in San José’s Evergreen community! As a locally owned business celebrating the rich traditions of Vietnamese cuisine, Nep Viet adds to the culturally diverse spirit of our community. Phuong Nguyen attended and presented a Certificate of Recognition on my behalf.

Healthy communities know no borders. I was grateful for the opportunity to have my staff join the 22nd annual County of Santa Clara Binational Health Week Kickoff Event, the start of a week dedicated to expanding access to health information and resources for families across the county. My Communications Director, Mario B. Lopez, was joined by ARUSD Trustee Corina Herrera-Loera and Supervisor Sylvia Arenas and presented a Certificate of Recognition on my behalf.

Grateful for the opportunity to support the Corps Picnic, hosted by San Jose Conservation Corps and Charter School. Thank you to CEO Dorsey Moore and fellow corpsmembers for your year-round commitment to protecting our planet and strengthening our community. My District Representative, Meghan Bedi, stopped by on my behalf.

It was exciting to help announce the opening of the new HavenSafe Impact Studio in San José, a space designed to help community members facing eviction and unemployment find immediate pathways to work. My District Representative, Mariam Ghallab, joined Havensafe’s ribbon cutting on my behalf. Thank you to President Shannon Clark & the Havensafe team for this innovative community work.

A new chapter begins for New York Life Insurance Company Greater San José! Phuong Nguyen joined the grand opening and ribbon-cutting ceremony on my behalf, celebrating the organization’s new office and continued commitment to serving families, businesses, and communities across the region.

It was a pleasure for my District Director, Michelle Pelayo-Osorio, to connect with South County business leaders and community organizations at the Gilroy Chamber of Commerce Networking at Noon event!

The “Growing Wellbeing Through Restorative Practices” symposium, hosted with the County Of Santa Clara Behavioral Health Services, brought together restorative justice practitioners and school districts from across Santa Clara County. The seminar focused on strengthening support for student mental health and alternatives to suspension. My District Director, Michelle Pelayo-Osorio, attended on my behalf.

I was honored to speak at the Institute of Transportation Studies, UC Davis Fireside Chat on the next phase of transportation in California, which was moderated by ITS Founding Director Emeritus Dr. Daniel Sperling. As Chair of the California Senate Transportation Committee and former Chair of the Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC), I’ve worked with key leaders like the UC to advance transportation infrastructure throughout the state.

For 33 years, Community Health Partnership (CHP) has fought for accessible, affordable health care for everyone, including the uninsured and underinsured. Thank you to CHP's Executive Director, Dolores Alvarado, for introducing me at CHP's Health Legislative Update event where I underscored my leadership in fighting federal Medi-Cal cuts and securing state budget investments to protect coverage, strengthen access to care, and prevent higher costs for patients.

It was great to step back in time with History San Jose for a special tour of a new exhibit at the McKay Gallery in History Park, open through December 21st. The exhibit, entitled South Bay Flashback: Riffs, Rhythms and Revolution, offered a fascinating look into the music, concerts, and publications that shaped the South Bay! Thank you to History San José and President Bill Schroh, Jr. for preserving these stories for generations to come.

I swore in our new Senate District 15 Intern, Marilyn Damey. She joins us after recently graduating from Loyola Marymount University. Thank you, Marilyn, for your commitment to public service and our district. Welcome to the team!

I had the pleasure of visiting Blackford Elementary School in Campbell Union School District to tour its inclusion preschool and elementary school programs and see firsthand how educators are creating supportive, inclusive learning environments for every student. Thank you to Superintendent Whitney Hilton and fellow educators for the work you do to ensure all students have the opportunity to thrive.

I joined the 2026 International Tour of Taiwan Eats x Mandarin Learning Event, hosted by the Joint Alumni Association of Chinese Universities and Colleges in Northern California (JAACUC) and TCML Growing Tree Learning Center. This gathering was a wonderful opportunity to celebrate diverse traditions in our district. Thank you to JAACUC President Vicky Chu and everyone who helped make this cultural experience possible!

I joined Frost Elementary of Oak Grove School District to celebrate 250 years of America with students, families, and educators. It was wonderful to see our young people come together to learn about our nation’s history!

I had the honor of speaking at a Community Forum highlighting the role of meaningful paternal engagement in the child welfare system! The event was hosted by the Department of Family and Children’s Services (DFCS) of the County of Santa Clara Social Services Agency. Thank you to DFCS Director Wendy Kinnear-Rausch and Enrique Flores for having me.

I joined The Villages for their Community Emergency Preparedness Panel Event, to discuss how we can help our communities prepare for wildfires and respond when disaster strikes. I was joined on the panel by Captain Ryan Torchio of the San Jose Fire Department, Dr. Liz Dietz with American Red Cross, and Jay McAmis with the City of San José Office of Emergency Management.

I recently toured HomeFirst’s Rue Ferrari homeless shelter to see firsthand the critical services helping our unhoused neighbors find safety, stability, and a path forward. As a former County Supervisor, I called for a countywide Housing Task Force, work that helped lead to the passage of Measure A, the $950 million affordable housing bond approved by voters in 2016.

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, a time to honor those impacted by breast cancer, remember those we have lost, and recognize the importance of awareness and early detection. My District staff, Michelle Pelayo-Osorio, Zachary Contini, Meghan Bedi, Mariam Ghallab, Natasha Waxman, Mario Lopez, Phuong Nguyen, and Marilyn Damey, wore pink at our annual Picnic by the Lake event to stand in solidarity with breast cancer patients, survivors, and families across our community.

More than 500 people of all ages joined Omar's Dream Foundation this morning for a 5K and 10K run to raise funds supporting hospitalized children and their families, and connecting them with their classrooms. I was honored to celebrate Omar, whose strength, courage, and enthusiasm for learning are a testament to the resilience of the human spirit. Funds raised will help other children facing serious illnesses and their families access the support they need to live fulfilling lives.

I joined the Taiwanese American community at our County Plaza to celebrate Taiwan’s 115th National Day, also known as Double Ten Day! Observed annually on October 10, Double Ten Day commemorates the 1911 Wuchang Uprising, a pivotal event that led to the founding of the Republic of China.

My District Representative, Mariam Ghallab, also presented Brian with an official Senate Resolution in honor of his retirement!

I had the opportunity to tour Open Doors to Future Possibilities, Inc. and meet with its Founder and Executive Director, Dr. Simone Lundquist, to learn more about their work supporting veterans and low-income community members. By helping people confront past trauma and lead more fulfilling lives, Open Doors to Future Possibilities is making a meaningful difference in our community. I’m grateful to Simone and her team for creating pathways to healing, confidence, and a brighter future.

I recently toured Zoox's Clawiter Road production facility in Hayward, where the company is building purpose-built robotaxis with plans to produce up to 10,000 vehicles a year. As Chair of the Senate Transportation Committee, I’m focused on making sure innovation and public safety move forward together. A special thank you to Zoox’s State Policy Lead, Paul Escobar, for coordinating the visit.

For over 43 years, Len Ramirez has been a familiar and trusted presence in our homes and communities. From our kitchens to our living rooms, we tuned in to KPIX CBS San Francisco Bay Area where he’s been a reporter to hear the latest breaking news and stories shaping our lives. Congratulations on your retirement, Len!

For 50 years, Biblioteca Latinoamericana Branch Library has been a place where generations of San José families can access educational and multicultural resources. My District Representative, Zach Contini, joined the San Jose Public Library celebration and presented an official Senate Resolution on my behalf.

For over the past 20 years, The Creekside School has been at the forefront providing specialized education to students with profound autism as well as guidance and support to parents of an autistic youth. My District Representative, Phuong Nguyen, attended the bi-monthly meeting on my behalf.

Thank you to San Jose State University for hosting the 2026 California State University (CSU) Legislative Campus Visit. My District Representative, Meghan Bedi, attended on my behalf.

Congratulations to Little Italy San Jose as it celebrated its 10th annual Italian Festival right here in San Jose! As a proud Italian American, I’m grateful for the work Little Italy continues to do to share the richness of Italian culture with the San Jose community. My District Representative, Meghan Bedi, attended and presented a Certificate of Recognition to Little Italy’s President, Joshua DeVincenzi Melander.

Congratulations to The Health Trust on 30 years of advancing health equity across the Silicon Valley through strategic advocacy and community partnerships! My District Representative, Zach Contini, attended and presented a Certificate of Recognition on my behalf.

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