Mark Takano

Major Richard Star Act

in committee

Supporting the goals and ideals of Glisten's (formerly GLSEN's) 2026 Day of Silence in bringing attention to anti-LGBTQI+ bullying, harassment, discrimination, and other forms of victimization faced by individuals in schools, and calling communities across the country to action to demand equal educational opportunity, basic civil rights protections, and freedom from erasure for all students, particularly LGBTQI+ young people, in K-12 schools.

in committee

Fraud Reduction And Uncovering Deception (FRAUD) in VA Disability Exams Act

in committee

“Mr. TAKANO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today during AANHPI Heritage Month to honor the contributions of Dr. Tai-Heng Cheng, specifically regarding his work with the National Museum of Asian Art. In 2022, a gift from Dr. Cheng and his husband, Cole Harrell, established the museum's first paid graduate internship program. Since its inception, twenty-two energetic students have been named Cheng-Harrell Graduate Interns and have worked on museum exhibitions, research, and public programs. These young people come from diverse backgrounds, each bringing a unique perspective [[Page E474]] not only to the National Museum of Asian Art, but also to other cultural institutions throughout their future careers. This pipeline of diverse, intelligent, and passionate talent in the museum and curatorial space is essential and will assuredly lead to collections that present a more complete history for all to enjoy and learn from. Dr. Cheng's contributions have helped ensure that AANHPI history is preserved, curated, and presented with humanity and dignity. During this AANHPI Heritage Month, I congratulate him, the National Museum of Asian Art, and all of the students who have benefited from this program. ____________________”

2026-05-20 · Education

“Mr. TAKANO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor an individual whose steady leadership, unwavering integrity, and unmatched expertise have strengthened the fiscal health of California's public education system. For more than four decades, Michael Fine has served as a guardian of public trust, ensuring that schools, county offices of education, and community colleges are positioned to make sound, transparent, and equitable financial decisions for the benefit of every student. Mr. Fine's career spans a broad and distinguished range of roles, beginning in private-sector finance before moving into public education, where he served as a chief business official, deputy superintendent, and interim superintendent in districts of varying size and complexity, including the Riverside Unified [[Page E130]] School District. These roles shaped his understanding of how governance, community expectations, and financial stewardship intersect, and they helped build the pragmatic, student-centered approach that has defined his leadership. In 2015, Mr. Fine joined the Fiscal Crisis and Management Assistance Team as its chief administrative officer. Two years later, he became FCMAT's chief executive officer, leading the organization through a period of extraordinary growth, innovation, and modernization. Under his direction, FCMAT strengthened its statewide role as California's foremost fiscal oversight and assistance agency, supporting TK-14 institutions with tools, training, and expert guidance that have become indispensable across the state. During his tenure, Mr. Fine oversaw the expansion and refinement of FCMAT's fiscal tools, including updates to the multiyear financial projection software, enhancements to the fiscal health risk analyses, and improvements to charter school oversight guidance. He championed increased clarity, accessibility, and transparency in all FCMAT products, ensuring that leaders--from superintendents to school board members to chief business officials--could rely on timely, accurate information to guide their decisions. Mr. Fine also strengthened FCMAT's essential role in California's system of fiscal oversight under Assembly Bill 1200. His clear, data- driven communication with state agencies, county offices, and local educational leaders has been crucial in responding to structural deficits, declining enrollment, and rising pension, benefit, and operating costs. He is widely recognized for his candor, clarity, and willingness to address complex issues head-on, always with the goal of supporting stability and avoiding harm to students. A defining aspect of Mr. Fine's legacy is his deep commitment to developing the next generation of fiscal and operational leaders. Under his leadership, the CBO Mentor Program expanded, diversified, and strengthened pathways for emerging leaders in both K-12 and community college systems. His belief that strong fiscal systems depend on strong people has shaped FCMAT's culture and helped elevate the value of professional learning statewide. Within FCMAT, Mr. Fine fostered a culture rooted in collaboration, excellence, and public service. He cultivated a team of analysts, data specialists, and operational experts whose work is respected across the state. Colleagues consistently describe him as principled, steady, and deeply dedicated to the mission of supporting sound governance and fiscal solvency throughout California's education system. Beyond his professional accomplishments, Mr. Fine is a devoted husband, father, and community member. His service on local boards, commissions, and philanthropic organizations reflects the same commitment to public well-being that has guided his professional life. His belief in the power of strong, well-managed public institutions has been a constant throughout his career. As Mr. Fine prepares to retire in 2026, his impact on California's schools and colleges will endure far beyond his tenure. The systems he strengthened, the leaders he mentored, and the culture of integrity he championed at FCMAT will continue to support stable, transparent, student-centered decision-making across the state for years to come. I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Michael Fine for his extraordinary service, his steady leadership, and his enduring contributions to California's students, families, and communities. His work has safeguarded the fiscal health of our education system and strengthened the foundation upon which our public schools depend. ____________________”

2026-02-11 · Education

“Mr. TAKANO. Mr. Speaker, today I recognize United States Air Force veteran, public servant, and champion for equitable and humane urban planning, Professor Edward James Blakely, who passed away last year at the age of 87. Dr. Blakely was called to serve his community, state, and country after receiving bachelor of arts at the University of California, Riverside, where he excelled both in the classroom and as a four-sport athlete. He served in New Orleans following Hurricane Katrina, in Oakland after the 1989 Loma Prieta Earthquake, and around the world following some of the most devastating natural disasters of our lifetime. In addition to his service on the ground when communities needed him most, he shared his time, talent, and energy with students in the classroom and in the hallways of higher learning. He served as a professor of Urban Planning at the University of California, Berkely, as Dean of the School of Urban and Regional Planning at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles, and as the Dean of the Milano Graduate School of Public Policy at the New School in New York. Later in life, Dr. Blakely's passion for public service called him to Australia, where he served as the District Commissioner for the Greater Sydney Commission and an Acting Commissioner on the New South Wales Land and Environment Court. His multiple books on urban planning, the students he impacted, and the communities he touched serve as a living legacy to his commitment to making our society more equitable for the benefit of humanity. He, nor his deeds of good work, will not soon be forgotten from this earthly plane. My prayers are with Dr. Blakely's family and friends. ____________________”

2026-01-27 · Housing