BURBANK – At last night’s Burbank Unified School District meeting, Assemblymember Laura Friedman (D-Glendale) joined leaders from the Armenian National Committee Burbank Chapter in expressing support for Resolution 23, calling for April 24^th, 2019 to be the official day of commemoration of the Armenian Genocide of 1915-1923.

SACRAMENTO – This morning, an innovative measure by Assemblymember Laura Friedman (D-Glendale) creating the Office of Outdoor Recreation (OREC) to unite California’s  vast outdoor recreation sector in order to promote education, health, and economic development passed its first committee. The bill, AB 1111, passed the Assembly Water, Parks, and Wildlife Committee with unanimous, bipartisan, support receiving 13 votes in favor and none opposed.

            “California is home to amazing natural resources and endless recreation opportunities. This is an industry focused on sustainability that’s generated billions of dollars in revenue and jobs.” said Assemblymember Friedman (D-Glendale). “Bringing leaders from across the spectrum to the table is an important first step in our efforts to promote conservation and outdoor recreation opportunities for all Californians, while boosting our economy.”

SACRAMENTO – On Tuesday, legislation by Assemblymember Laura Friedman (D-Glendale)  that would prohibit the sale and manufacture of new fur in California passed its first major hurdle. The bill, AB 44, garnered overwhelming support in its first committee hearing on a 10-4 vote in the Assembly Water, Parks, and Wildlife Committee

SACRAMENTO – Today, Assemblymember Laura Friedman (D-Glendale) welcomed Shannon Elizabeth (Actress, American Pie), Ashley Welgan (Public Policy Specialist, The Humane Society), and Marc Ching (Founder, Animal Hope in Legislation) to the State Capitol to discuss AB 44 (Friedman), a bill prohibiting the sale and manufacture of fur in California.

SACRAMENTO – Tomorrow, Assemblymember Laura Friedman (D-Glendale) will hold a news conference to discuss AB 44, a bill that would prohibit the sale and manufacture of new fur products in California. She will be joined by Shannon Elizabeth (Actress, American Pie), Ashley Welgan (Public Policy Specialist, The Humane Society), and Marc Ching (Founder, Animal Hope in Legislation).

The measure would make it unlawful to manufacture, sell, offer for sale, display for sale, trade, give, donate, or otherwise distribute a fur product in the state.  The bill exempts leather, cowhide, and shearling, as well as fur products used for religious purposes and used fur. The bill provides a civil penalty for each violation.

AB 44 would make California the first state in the nation to outlaw the sale and manufacture of fur products within its borders.

SACRAMENTO, CA – As part of the California State Assembly’s celebration of Women’s History Month, Assemblymember Laura Friedman (D-Glendale) recognized Mayor Terry Walker of La Cañada Flintridge as the 43^rd Assembly District’s Woman of the Year.

“I deeply admire Mayor Walker’s extensive, prolific, and meaningful involvement in our community.” said Assemblymember Friedman. “For as long as I have known her, she’s been an exemplary leader who really understands her city and how to serve it.”

The California Armenian Legislative Caucus is holding two scholarship contests for the 2019 commemoration of the Armenian Genocide. California high school students in 9^th through 12^th grade are invited to participate in an essay contest and/or a visual arts contest to increase greater awareness of the Armenian Genocide.

All winners will be contacted directly and announced to mainstream and Armenian media by the California Armenian Legislative Caucus on Friday April 12, 2019. All winners will be awarded scholarships and a trip to Sacramento to be acknowledged at the California Armenian Legislative Caucus’ annual Armenian Advocacy Day during a press conference on April 22, 2019. Original artwork will be requested from visual arts applicants if they are selected as a finalist, for possible display in the California State Capitol.

Pasadena (CA) – Legislators representing communities at risk of wildfires along the San Gabriel Foothills from La Canada to Upland will host a wildfire town hall in Pasadena on Thursday February 21^st 5:00 pm to 7:30 pm in the Pasadena High School Gymnasium.