California Assembly holds brief session to honor staff, wildfire victims and Stockton shooting victims

The California State Assembly convened briefly on 09/12/2025 in Sacramento and adjourned after a series of tributes and moments of silence honoring staff and community members lost to violence and wildfire.

Assemblymember Ortega opened the adjournments in memory for Monica Lynn Martinez Hayes, a longtime legislative scheduler, saying, “The unexpected loss of Monica has been felt deeply by her 4 daughters… Monica was born in 1961 in Michigan… she was an incredible proud, fierce, and adoring mother.” Ortega asked the body to adjourn in her memory and sought permission to read a quoted line she said reflected Hayes’s spirit.

The body also observed remembrances for Joao Edwin Silva Bridal, whom Assemblymember Macedo described as an immigrant who built a life as a dairyman and community leader, and for grandmaster Dang Hui Deok, recognized by Assemblymember Ta for his decades of martial-arts instruction and mentorship.

Assemblymember Ransom recounted the November 29 Stockton shooting that killed four young people — naming Maya Lupien, Journey Rose Guerrero, Amari Peterson and Susanna Archuleta — and called for legislative attention to prevent similar tragedies: “We must address it,” Ransom said, urging colleagues to use their responsibilities as legislators to protect children.

A joint remembrance by Assemblymembers Harbidian and Erwin listed 31 people killed in last year’s Palisades and Eaton wildfires; the speakers described widespread destruction and the need for rebuilding and preparedness. One speaker summarized the fires’ impact: “As rebuilding continues, we will do so with intention, with safety, strength, and resilience built into every decision.”

The Assembly asked members to bring the names of those remembered to the desk to be printed in the journal and observed moments of silence. With no further business on the floor, the House adjourned until Friday, January 16, at 9 a.m.

The session record shows these were ceremonial adjournments in memory and not votes on substantive policy measures; the tributes were framed as remembrances and calls for continued legislative attention to community recovery and public safety.