Assemblywoman Fiona Ma: Woman's Appreciation Month

As a woman in politics, I strongly commend the role of women in society. Influential women have long bolstered our communities through their hard work and dedication. From Hillary Clinton and Condoleezza Rice to Mother Teresa and Oprah Winfrey, women have flourished in and contributed to society in numerous ways.

Women's Appreciation Month began with the Education Task Force of the Sonoma County Commission on the Status of Women's celebration of "Women's History Week." This week was meant to shed light on the many achievements of women throughout history. Before this movement, women were largely devoid from history books; their contributions to society ignored.

In 1980, President Jimmy Carter became the first president to acknowledge and designate the week of March 8 as Women's Appreciation Week. Seven years later, Congress declared March as Women's Appreciation Month, following the lead of 14 other states that had already done so.

Since its initiation, this recognition has led to greater awareness of women's history and an increase in the breadth of knowledge regarding women's issues. I would like to take this opportunity to thank the women of California for contributing so much to our state.

Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month
I recently authored ACR 23, a resolution that declares the month of March "Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month." Cancer is the second leading cause of death in California, with an average of 50,000 deaths a year reported. Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer in California, where 65 percent of patients have a five-year survival rate, due to low prognostic exams and early detection. Studies have shown that early detection has helped decrease the number of new cancer cases over the years and initiatives in awareness in early prevention has proven successful. However, more education is needed so the number of new cases continues to decrease as people's awareness of the disease increases. This will lead to continuously higher prevention rates along with the chance for a greater quality of life for those diagnosed in the early stages. The more information afforded to people about the disease, the better chance people have to understand, and overcome, colorectal cancer.

Summary of Legislation So Far This Session

Here is a short summary of some of the bills I have authored so far for the 2011 legislative session:

AB 199 - WWII Filipino Veterans in Curriculum (Author)

This bill encourages social science instruction in grades 7-12 to include the significant role of Filipinos in World War II. This bill helps ensure that our children and future generations learn of the contributions and sacrifices of these brave Filipino soldiers before we lose them in history.

SB 249 - (Principal co-author) Board of Directors of the Cow Palace (Sen. Leland Yee - author)

I am co-authoring this bill with Sen. Yee in order to provide San Francisco, San Mateo and Daly City with a stronger voice on Cow Palace events by changing the composition of the Cow Palace's board of directors.

AB 400 - Healthy Workplaces, Healthy Families Act (California Labor Federation)

This bill allows workers to earn and use paid sick days when the worker or their child is sick. AB 400 is modeled after a San Francisco ordinance that has been in place since 2007. A recent nonpartisan study showed that nearly two-thirds of San Francisco employers support the law. AB 400 will allow workers to earn one hour of paid sick time for every 30 hours worked up to a maximum of five days a year for workers employed by businesses with 10 or fewer employees and nine days a year for all workers employed by all other businesses.

AB 452 - End Electronic Tracking Devices for Stalking (Los Angeles City Attorney)

This will close a loophole to stop criminals from using advanced technological tracking devices, like GPS devices, to stalk their victims.

AB 631 - Electric Vehicle Charging Stations (Electric Vehicle Service Providers & Electric Vehicle Service Equipment Coalition - EVSP & EVSE Coalition)

It enables the fair market development of an electric vehicle infrastructure in California and provides certainty to consumers of electric vehicles by codifying the CPUC decision that electric vehicle charging stations do not fall under CPUC jurisdiction as a public utility.

AB 733 - Federal Funds for Special Education Services (State Superintendent Tom Torlakson)

This bill maintains the state's $1.1 billion in federal funding for special education services for students with special needs by protecting the state's compliance with the federal Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA).

Assemblywoman Fiona Ma represents the Sunset and Parkside districts at the California Assembly.