[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 125 (Wednesday, July 27, 2022)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E785-E786]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   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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