Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Cathy Saderlund as a woman of the year. She is the epitome of public service, continuously making invaluable contributions with unparalleled selflessness and dedication. In her roles as Lake County Auditor-Controller and Disaster Finance Chief, she put forth extraordinary efforts during the eight wildfire disasters Lake County faced over the past four fire seasons. In the face of these repeated disasters, she served full-time in the Emergency Operations Centers while unflinchingly balancing the priorities and demands of her elected office. Ms. Saderlund repeatedly exceeded expectations as she managed disaster spending, tracked reimbursements, and made certain that all available state and federal support would be in place for future recovery efforts. Her value to the community in managing the enormous costs of these disasters cannot be overstated. Ms. Saderlund is dedicated to serving the public and continues to do so with excellence no matter what challenges may arise. In addition to her dedication to the duties of her elected position, she demonstrates her devotion to her community through her volunteer work. For more than 25 years, she has served as the Area Director for the local Special Olympics, spearheading year-round sports training and athletic competition for children and adults with intellectual disabilities. Through this work she has enabled countless individuals with special needs to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, and share their remarkable gifts and skills with their families, fellow athletes, and the community. Ms. Saderlund is an inspirational example of service to the community both through her professional and volunteer roles.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Lisa DeAmicis as a woman of the year. She worked tirelessly to improve the lives of countless seniors throughout Davis. For thirteen years she has been committed to developing exciting programs to create a better experience for senior citizens in her community. Her enthusiasm for serving this community is exemplified through her unparalleled dedication and care for the individuals participating in her programs. Ms. DeAmicis is a friendly face and helping hand for individuals facing various challenges, and generously devotes herself to better assisting the needs of these seniors every day. Ms. DeAmicis is a vital member of the Davis Senior Center and has left a lasting impact on the members within her community. She eagerly works to coordinate and facilitate activities for the center that aims to improve the quality of life for seniors. Recently, DeAmicis became active in assisting in the planning and fundraising for the expansion of multiple senior center buildings. Her selfless contributions to seniors do not go unnoticed as she has cultivated lasting relationships with individuals throughout Yolo County. Ms. DeAmicis' bright personality and caring spirit have touched the lives of everyone who has set foot in the Davis senior center.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Anna Sutton as a woman of the year. She is a healthcare professional who has dedicated her career to the care of mothers and children. From her work as a school nurse to her current role as Director of Public Health Nursing at the Yolo County Health and Human Services Agency, her goal has always been to improve the health and quality of life of families in her community. Ms . Sutton fulfills many roles, lending her time and expertise to the Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health Program, the Yolo County Infectious Disease Programs, the Yolo County Help Me Grow Leadership Team, the Child Abuse Prevention Council, the Programs Benefitting Children Workgroup, Resilient Yolo, the American College of OB/GYNs Maternal Mental Health Expert Workgroup, and the Yolo County Maternal Mental Health Collaborative. As Chairwoman of the Yolo County Maternal Mental Health Collaborative, she has used her career expertise and firsthand experience as a mother to create an organization which promotes the health and wellbeing of new and expecting mothers. Under her leadership the organization has developed educational tools to create awareness of maternal mental health disorders and guide those in need to treatment. Her work gained recognition across disciplines and brought stakeholders together to create a common strategy for helping vulnerable mothers find help. Ms. Sutton dedicates her time, talent, and expertise to improving the health and wellbeing of mothers throughout Yolo County and works tirelessly to help particularly vulnerable mothers facing the stigma and isolation of maternal mental health disorders. Ms. Sutton is an integral part of Yolo County's outreach to mothers in need. She is continuously working to make a positive difference for mothers and children in her community and does so with unparalleled compassion and dedication.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Barbara Hankins as a woman of the year. She has devoted herself to the selfless service of others. She began her career as a school nurse in 1988 and began her path to becoming an important force for positive change in Colusa Unified School District. Throughout the years, Ms. Hankins has served the students and families of Colusa County with fairness and dedication, proving her willingness and ability to provide quality and exceptional service. In addition to her work as a school nurse, Ms. Hankins has served as a steadfast supporter, volunteer, and organizer for various anti-drug groups and programs. Since 1994 she has been an advisor for the Four Seasons anti-tobacco and anti-drug group where her selflessness has allowed her to connect deeply with the community youth, including non-traditional and underserved students. By implementing Red Ribbon Week campaigns throughout the school district, Ms. Hankins has led the fight against drug abuse, in large part by consistently advocating for her students to become the change they wish to see. She has consistently supported her students along their journey of self-discovery by helping them find their talents and value their self-worth. In this way, every student, mentor, and fellow volunteer who knows her can attest to her zeal for making every individual feel cared for. Even during the floods near her residence in Meridian, Ms. Hankins' first response was to work to ensure the safety, security, and comfort of those around her.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Anoosh Jorjorian as a woman of the year. She is the coordinator of Yolo Rainbow Families, a support group for families with gender nonconforming children. In her role as coordinator, she advocates for policies that create identity safe-spaces at schools for children who identify as LGBTQ+. Committed to serving her community, she devotes a substantial amount of her time to help nurture inclusivity and awareness in Yolo County. Despite being a relative newcomer to Davis, Ms. Jorjorian quickly became involved in social justice issues from LGBTQ+ to immigrant rights, also founding Davis' local LGBTQ+ youth group. Consistently a visible presence at school board meetings, she has also been integral in organizing gender identity sensitivity trainings for the City of Davis' Parks and Recreation Department all while being a passionate advocate for better pay for teachers. She was instrumental in forming Safe in Yolo, a community group that helped author a county resolution declaring Yolo County a safe and welcoming place. Additionally, Ms. Jorjorian has been a regular speaker as a devoted member of the Davis Phoenix Coalition, a community group that is dedicated to preventing hate-motivated violence. Ms. Jorjorian is a dedicated community activist who never backs away from doing what is necessary to make our community a safer place. You can find her at community events, speaking at public meetings, or organizing for the next effort to move Davis forward; she has a heart of service that is clearly and consistently demonstrated by her activism in our community.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Bonnie Mintun as a woman of the year. She has been a lifetime advocate for children with disabilities in her community. She was one of a small group of parents and teachers in her community of Davis who pushed the Davis Joint Unified School District to provide adequate education for children with disabilities. In 1989, thanks in large part to her work, Davis Joint Unified School District became the first school district in California to provide inclusive education to students with moderate to severe disabilities. This accomplishment alone demonstrates the lasting impact that Ms. Mintun has had on her community, but her work to improve education for those with disabilities did not stop with her first success. Ten years ago, she co-founded the Communication Technology Education Center, a non-profit organization aimed at connecting individuals with communication challenges to assistive technology and augmented alternative communication devices. Through this work, her organization helps people of all abilities to communicate, thus helping foster a more inclusive society. Beyond her many accomplishments, Ms. Mintun lends her time and expertise to many advisory committees that support individuals with intellectual, developmental, and physical disabilities. Her most recent effort is ensuring that inclusive, universal design principles are adopted as guidelines in designing the new Downtown Davis Specific Plan. Ms. Mintun is an inspiration to parents, teachers, and community members looking to make our community inclusive to people of all abilities.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Marilyn Shult as a woman of the year. She has consistently proven herself a valuable and tireless presence in service to the Glenn County senior community. Having served over 25 years at the Passages Adult Resource Center, she has been an asset to the seniors and caretakers she has worked with. Ms. Shult has also given her time working with the Glenn County Hospice Program to ensure those living with life-limiting illnesses receive compassionate care to improve their quality of life. Additionally, she has worked extensively with the Salvation Army in administering the REACH Program which assists families in need with paying their utility bills. Her impact on her community can be seen in numerous organizations where she was always willing to lend a hand. Ms. Shult also raised three sons, always dedicating time to chaperoning field trips and school dances, baking for school bake sales, and generally being present for her children every step of the way. It is this compassion and desire to help others thrive that sets Ms. Shult apart as a devoted community servant.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Lina Hernandez as a woman of the year. She is diligently committed to serving her community. As the program director for the Knights Landing Family Resource Center; Ms. Hernandez facilitates the operation of a vast network of resources, opening the center daily to help individuals and families navigate complicated federal, state, and local programs. Sponsored by Empower Yolo, the Knights Landing Family Resource Center is an essential community asset that seeks to improve the social, educational, and economic outcomes of Yolo County residents. When she isn't focused on her duties at the center, Ms. Hernandez can be found volunteering her time with the Friends of the Library, the local school, or the Knights Landing Environmental Health Project. Additionally, her dedicated advocacy as a concerned parent resulted in the creation of the UC Davis Knights Landing One Health Center. Ms. Hernandez was the driving force in assembling a team of knowledgeable community builders to serve as advisors to the One Health Center, pushing for accessible, holistic health services for the entire community. Her presence in our community is an asset that has enriched the lives of countless residents from all walks of life. Ms. Hernandez is a role-model for community leaders everywhere

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Heidi Wheeler as a woman of the year. She is a hardworking and dedicated advocate for seniors in Yolo County. In her 22-year career at St. John's Retirement Village, Ms. Wheeler has helped provide care to seniors with kindness and compassion. She has grown professionally, seeking further education, and taking on multiple leadership roles. She is now the Skilled Nursing Administrator responsible for the Stollwood Convalescent Hospital within St. John's Village where she cares for some of her community's most vulnerable. Both her professional life and personal time have been dedicated to improving the lives of seniors throughout Yolo County. She lends her time, talent, and expertise to Woodland's Commission on Aging where she recommends and coordinates programs and services for seniors. Through her work on the commission she helps promote a better quality of life for aging individuals ensuring that critical support services are available. She is also a part of Leading Age, a network of nonprofit leaders committed to supporting and empowering seniors in their community. Through this organization, she helps fight for quality senior living and care. Ms. Wheeler is a passionate advocate on behalf of seniors, working to ensure a full and rewarding life for all people in her community.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Lisette Estrella- Henderson as a woman of the year. She is devoted to serving

her community and has a passion for giving back. Through her current role as the Solano County Superintendent of Schools, she works tirelessly to support educational services and serve the school districts in her community. As a charter member of 100 Women Who Care in Solano County, Lisette works to support women and young girls by donating to important programs that focus on bettering the community. She is a charter member of the Soroptimist Twilight Club in Solano County and generously volunteers her time to improve the lives of disadvantaged women and girls through programs that push for increased social and economic opportunities. Ms. Estrella-Henderson has played a vital role in promoting education equality and increased educational resources within her community. Her active engagement in the community includes leadership positions in programs such as the Migrant Child Education Program, First 5 Solano Children and Families Commission, Solano College Education Foundation, Positive Youth Justice Initiative Leadership Team, Juvenile Justice Coordination Council, Solano Coalition for Better Health, and many more. With a long resume of outstanding achievements and leadership roles, Lisette's commitment to bringing about positive changes to her community is inspirational

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Katherine Campbell as a woman of the year. She embodies all the qualities of a community leader and generously dedicates her time to bettering her community. As one of the founders in the effort to bring a community pool to the greater Capay Valley area, Ms. Campbell was able to successfully secure a $2.9 million dollar grant from the California Department of Parks and Recreation. Due to her continuous determination and firm commitment, the new Esparto Community Park and Aquatic Center is set to be completed before the summer of 2019. She currently serves as the treasurer of Capay Valley Vision, where she is actively engaged in developing and prioritizing critical projects that are aimed at community development. With unmatched experience and dedication, Ms. Campbell has shown herself to be an integral part of many past and present projects designed to help make Yolo County a better place to live. She serves as the Yolo County Planning Commissioner, the chair to the Capay Valley Citizens Advisory Committee and a contributor to the Rumsey Improvement Association. Since 2016, Ms. Campbell has been a vital member of the Yolo Parks, Recreation, and Wildlife Advisory Committee working to provide insight to Yolo County regarding community parks, open spaces, wildlife habitat, and other projects focused on the interests of parks and recreation. Ms. Campbell tirelessly and passionately advocates for her community and is most deserving of this recognition.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Jesse Loren as a woman of the year. She is an enthusiastic, valued, and beloved member of the Winters community who exemplifies the qualities of a true public servant. Ms. Loren began her teaching career as an English and Journalism teacher in the Esparto and Travis School Districts where she served in leadership roles on the School Site Council at Vanden High School. In recognition of her exceptional skills as an educator, Ms. Loren was honored with Vanden High School's 2009 Teacher of the Year award. Ms. Loren is a member of a wide range of organizations and foundations including the Winters Hispanic Advisory Committee, the League of California Cities, the Water Resources Association, the Yolo Solano Sustainable Groundwater Agency, and Yolo Leaders. Furthermore, in 2016 she was elected to the Winters City Council where she dove into the issues of concern to Winters residents, swiftly learning the nuts and bolts of how the city functioned. Always deft at building community, Ms. Loren's efforts on the City Council have strengthened the cohesion and collegiality of the Winters community. As a strong advocate for effective water management and quality public education, Ms. Loren consistently demonstrates a keen interest in understanding every aspect of an issue. Her generosity with her time and energy is truly remarkable, enabling her to serve her constituents and community members with unusual insight and empathy. Ms. Loren is a skilled public servant whose devotion to the community she serves is worthy of recognition.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Joyce Overton as a woman of the year. She has devoted a lifetime of service to the community of Clearlake. She has established herself as a strong public servant, advocate, and champion for the county's most vulnerable populations: youths, seniors, and the homeless. In her role as a City Council member, Ms. Overton has prioritized economic revitalization programs and advocates for sound fiscal policy, road improvements, and the reinvigoration of the Lakeshore Corridor. Ms. Overton has also been instrumental in leading the recovery efforts after the devastating fires and floods that have ravaged Lake County. She has selflessly contributed her time and resources supporting the community at the evacuation centers. Her passion for volunteerism in the community is also evident in her roles as founder and past Executive Director of Lake County Youth Services, a nonprofit youth services center devoted to providing a positive support system to young people in her Lake County. She is currently the Executive Director of Highland Senior Services Center, an essential lifeline to Lake County's aging population ensuring the senior community has access to much needed resources and healthy meals. Joyce Overton has an extensive and impressive record of public service and embodies all of the qualities of a community leader and public servant.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Professor Holly Cooper as a woman of the year. She is a professor at the UC Davis School of Law and a steadfast advocate for the legal rights of immigrants. As co-director of the UC Davis Immigration Law Clinic

she has used her extensive legal experience to defend the rights of immigrants. Professor Cooper is nationally recognized as an expert on immigration detention issues and the immigration consequences of criminal convictions. Her work defending the rights of immigrants demonstrates her fearless commitment to preserving justice in the face of overwhelming opposition. Prior to serving as the co-director of the Immigration Law Clinic at UC Davis, she worked as the Senior Staff Attorney for the Florence Immigrant & Refugee Rights Project. While there, she initiated the Detained Immigrant Children's Rights Project, provided representation and pro se assistance for adult detainees, and mentored pro bono attorneys. In addition to legal activism for the rights of immigrants Professor Cooper also serves as an instructor, legal scholar, mentor, and inspiration for our next generation of legal activists. From Professor Cooper's work advocating for the rights of detained immigrants to her work on human rights issues in Haiti, her career and volunteerism demonstrate a strong commitment to human rights which is worthy of commendation.

Mr. Speaker, she serves generously and selflessly as a Deputy District Attorney for Solano County. She is a dedicated prosecutor committed to upholding the law in her community. In 2013, Ms. Ycasas was recognized for her important work prosecuting fraud cases and protecting the community from becoming victims of these crimes of opportunity. She is now instrumental in keeping our community safe from the harm of intoxicated and reckless drivers. Just in the past year Ms. Ycasas worked tirelessly to convict more than one hundred intoxicated drivers and continues to be responsible for prosecuting a significant number of the felony intoxicated driving arrests in Solano County. As a devoted and diligent Deputy District Attorney, Ms. Ycasas works ceaselessly to ensure the public safety of her community. She is generous, passionate, dedicated, and most importantly acts with integrity in conducting her cases, always ensuring that the rights of all individuals in Solano County are protected. Ms. Ycasas truly embodies the qualities of a leader in her community by working diligently to save lives. She has committed her career to public service and displays an unparalleled dedication in her mission to safeguard our community.