June means summer's coming. That's one of the times of year that reminds us what a truly remarkable place we live in. June is also the month we celebrate Father's Day, and while I lost my Dad many years ago, I am still grateful to him for so many things.

My Dad worked until he ached to keep a roof over our heads. And sometimes, after he was done working and my sister and I were getting ready for bed, he would tell us about this sleepy little place on the California coast called "San Diego" that he had been stationed during World War II. 

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Last year, as many of you were grappling with the onset of the pandemic and a host of unknowns, my colleagues and I were focused on providing equipment and supplies to our essential workers while crunching numbers on a budget to get California through the worst of the pandemic. Now, as I write this, we are emerging from the stress and struggles stronger than before, thanks to lessons learned during the Great Recession and the ensuing the hard work of Democratic legislators to pass balanced budgets that built reserves for future challenges.

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Six years ago, I attended the 2015 Paris Climate Conference, also known as COP21, and participated in conversations that ultimately led to the signing of The Paris Agreement. It was during that conference, as I listened to elected officials and scientists from around the world, that my eyes were opened to the devastating repercussions climate change was already having on communities worldwide It was both sobering and inspiring to me, professionally and personally.

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I am always incredibly proud to serve California as the first lesbian Senate Pro Tem, but it always seems that much more special during LGBTQ Pride Month. Here in California, we also are fortunate that our Legislative LGBTQ Caucus also includes eight other members and dynamic perspectives, including Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara, the first openly gay person elected to statewide office in California's history.

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Known as Freedom Day, Juneteenth commemorates June 19, 1865, when enslaved African Americans in Galveston, Texas, learned that they were free. This day came two and a half years after the Emancipation Proclamation, and continues to be an important day to recognize every year.

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There's an important warning from the California Employment Development Department (EDD) – be on alert for scammers who are sending phising text messages, pretending to be EDD or Bank of America in an attempt to trick people into giving up personal information. Here are some tips to ensure you do not fall victim.

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Vaccine Progress in San Diego

I want to thank you everyone who has received or scheduled an appointment for their COVID-19 vaccine. We aren't done fighting this virus, but the vaccines are moving us out of the dark tunnel of this past year. All Californians, ages 12 and up, are now eligible for a vaccination. San Diego County has reported that 2.1 million people have received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, and a total of 1.3 million San Diegans, about 64 percent, are fully vaccinated. Statewide, 50 percent of Californians have received at least one dose, as of this writing. I urge you to help be a part of the progress we are making. There are now evening and walk-up locations around the district, making it easier than ever to take this important precaution!

For more information, visit:

• San Diego County's website
• The City of San Diego's website
• http://MyTurn.CA.gov

Sharon Apple, Teacher of the Year

Congratulations to Ms. Sharon Apple of Hoover High School, who was named Teacher of the Year by San Diego Unified School District!

Ms. Apple is a ninth-grade English and Intro to Ethnic Studies teacher in the 39^th Senate District. She came to San Diego from New York when she was 11 years old, and attended school in the district where she now teaches. She first began her teaching career as a substitute teacher at Encanto Elementary and shortly after that, she received a contract as an intern, which led to her attending school and teaching at the same time for seven years. She then went to Clairemont High School and officially started her career as an English teacher. Thank you Ms. Apple for your commitment to our youth and for your resilience this past year!

USNS Harvey Milk Construction Update

I was honored to take a tour of the USNS Harvey Milk on May 21, on the eve of what would have been the beloved, trailblazing civil rights icon's 91^st birthday.

Harvey was the first openly gay politician elected to the San Francisco Board of Supervisors. Prior to his career as a politician, Harvey was in the Navy-- stationed in San Diego – and served as a Naval diving instructor during the Korean War. The ship, named in his honor, is part of the Navy's John Lewis-class fleet replenishment oilers. It's 60 percent complete. I was there for the start of construction in 2019, and was honored to see the vessel's progress alongside City of San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria, U.S. Rep. Sara Jacobs (D-San Diego), Assemblymember Chris Ward, and San Diego Council President Pro Tem Stephen Whitburn.  

As someone who comes from a military family and now represents this region and it's rich military history, I view the USNS Harvey Milk as a vessel of hope.