The publication is reproduced in full below:
HONORING ASSEMBLYMEMBER MARK STONE
______
HON. JIMMY PANETTA
of california
in the house of representatives
Wednesday, July 27, 2022
Mr. PANETTA. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize California's 29th District Assemblymember Mark Stone as a long-standing champion of the LGBTQ+ community.
Assemblymember Stone's efforts to combat social injustices dates back to his time as a Santa Cruz Country Supervisor. As a two-term Supervisor, he overhauled the county's child welfare system. The improved system increased family and community support for foster youth and provided more integrated care, including culturally competent care for LGBTQ+ youth. Engaging with stakeholders around this issue led to a long-standing partnership with the Queer Youth Task Force of Santa Cruz County. Additionally, he supported funding the Queer and Trans Youth Council of Santa Cruz County and has been a speaker at multiple LGBTQ+ youth-led events, where he encourages future leaders to create communities that celebrate diversity and pride.
Since his election to the California State Assembly in 2012, Assemblymember Stone's mission has remained consistent. During his tenure, he has authored successful legislation that prohibits dismissing prospective jurors based on gender identity and expression and removed gender terms from the Fair Employment and Housing Act, effectively ensuring that transgender, non-binary, and gender nonconforming people are offered equal protection. Notably, Assembly member Stone co-authored legislation to add a non-binary gender marker on California birth certificates, drivers' licenses, and identity cards, as well as a bill to protect incarcerated transgender people.
Assemblymember Stone's efforts in advancing the rights and protections of all Californians have earned him consistent recognition by Equality California, Planned Parenthood, ACLU, and the Courage Campaign, just to name a few. Taking full advantage of his time in office, Assemblymember Stone has honored outstanding members of the LGBTQ+ community in state commemorations, including Dayna Sinopoli, a transgender woman, as the Assembly's Women of the Year for the 29th District and Dr. Jen Hastings, the Assembly's first non-binary Person of the Year. Additionally, Assemblymember Stone proudly named Dr. Chris DiMaio, co-founder of the Rainbow Veterans of Santa Cruz County, as his 2015 Veteran of the Year.
Madam Speaker, I offer my sincere congratulations to Assemblymember Mark Stone on being commemorated by Santa Cruz County's 47th Annual Pride Festival. We are all so grateful for his leadership and his advocacy.
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SOURCE: Congressional Record Vol. 168, No. 125(1), Congressional Record Vol. 168, No. 125(2)
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