The Year of the Rabbit is here. I wanted to wish you and your family good health and prosperity. Even after the tragic events of the last few days in Monterey Park and Half Moon Bay, our community must continue its resiliency through these difficult times and unite with one another in the spirit of the New Year.

I marked the new year by introducing AB 264, a bill giving California's community colleges the flexibility to observe the Lunar New Year as a state holiday without increasing the number of days schools are closed. For example, they can combine Lincoln's and Washington's birthdays as one holiday and add LNY as another.

Hate incidents against the Asian American Pacific Islander community are still happening, and a Lunar New Year holiday would help foster greater cultural understanding. It gives students a time to reflect on the special significance of this celebration and to encourage acceptance. We're better as a society when we create opportunities for communities to learn about each other.

I want to thank City College of San Francisco Board of Trustees President Alan Wong who, through a resolution, urged the state Legislature to amend the California Community College Education Code to allow the LNY observance. While a newly enacted state law declares Lunar New Year as a state holiday for state employees, it does not apply to community college districts, and I'm happy to step up and answer the call.

I'd also like to invite you to celebrate the Lunar New Year with me. I will be participating in the San Francisco Chinese New Year Parade again this year. It'll be held Saturday, February 4, at 5:15 p.m., starting at the corner of Market and Second. Then on Friday, February 17, state leaders, including myself, will be hosting a celebration at our secured office building lobby from 2-4 p.m. at 455 Golden Gate Avenue, which is equipped with metal detectors at the entrances. Look for another email with more details as we get closer.

I hope to see you at both events,