Celebrating 4th of July

Assemblywoman Fiona Ma

On the Fourth of July we celebrate the origins of our freedom, our rights, our responsibilities, and pay tribute to the document that led to a new way of life - the Declaration of Independence.

This year, we celebrate the 234th birthday of the Declaration of Independence. The Declaration reflects our nation's founding and its heritage. While it did not give all the answers to freedom and self-government, it served as a blueprint and provided the impetus for our Revolution and our Constitution for self -government.

On July 4th, as we celebrate with parades, barbecues and fireworks, I urge you to remember the brave men who signed the Declaration of Independence and to honor those individuals, from the Revolution to the present, who have fought and given their lives so that all Americans can enjoy the privileges of freedom and independence.

Fireworks Safety Tips

To help celebrate this Fourth of July, the Consumer Product Safety Commission and the National Council on Fireworks Safety offer the following safety tips on the proper use of fireworks:

á Always read and follow label directions;

á Have an adult present;

á Buy from reliable sellers;

á Ignite outdoors;

á Have water handy;

á Never experiment or attempt to make your own fireworks;

á Light one at a time;

á Never reignite malfunctioning fireworks;

á Never give fireworks to small children;

á Store fireworks in a cool, dry place;

á Dispose of used fireworks properly;

á Never throw fireworks at another person or animals;

á Never carry fireworks in your pocket;

á Never shoot fireworks in metal or glass containers.

Choosing Safe Fireworks

(Provided by the National Council on Fireworks Safety)

It is extremely important to know the difference between legal consumer fireworks and dangerous explosive devices; items such as M80s,

M100s, blockbusters and quarter-pounders are not fireworks. They are explosives that have been federally banned since 1966. They can cause serious injury or even death, so do not purchase or use them. Stay away from anything that is not clearly labeled with the name of the item, the manufacturer's name and instructions for proper use.

Fireworks are not toys: Fireworks complying with strict regulations enacted by the U.S Consumer Product Safety Commission in 1976 function primarily by burning to produce motion and visible or audible effects. They are burning at approximately the same temperature as a household match and can cause burn injuries and ignite clothing if used improperly.

Close, adult supervision of all fireworks activities is mandatory. Even sparklers can be unsafe if used improperly.

If you choose to celebrate the Fourth of July with fireworks, check with your local law enforcement agency to determine which fireworks can be legally discharged in your area.

Key Legislation Passes

Last month, my key legislation met the Assembly House of Origin deadline and moved on to the Senate. Below is a snapshot of legislation currently in the Senate.

AB 1656 - Animal Fur Labeling: The bill would address a federal loophole by requiring all garments sold in California that contain animal fur to be labeled with the type of animal fur and the country of origin;Ê

AB 1800 - Landlord Imposters: The bill will enhance penalties on criminals who pose as owners of a residential dwelling;

AB 1960 - California Grown: The bill encourages the state to purchase fruits, nuts and vegetables that are produced in California;

AB 1987 - Pension Spiking Reform: The bill reforms California's local retirement systems in order to guard against abusive practices, like pension spiking and double-dipping;

AB 2600 - Continuing Hepatitis B Medical Education;Ê

AB 2700 - Separation Equity Act: The bill is an equality measure that will permit same-sex couples to dissolve relationships in a single proceeding.

For more information about legislation, visit the website at www.leginfo.ca.gov.

Assemblywoman Fiona Ma represents District 12 at the California Assembly.