the one million dollar? i've increased the vision. 100 million sounds better to me. that's the ron conway club. sign me up. i welcome you to the club because we have a lot of work that needs to be done. we won't be able to get it all done in our lifetime and we must continue to pass on this torch to continue to move things forward and mr. omar, where you are? come join me up here, please, sir. i want to present -- this is one of the best parts of the job. you get to present certificates of honor to recognize outstanding leaders and sove lia certificate of honor but i want you to know that i'm stingy with my certificates. everyone may request, but few get them. ladies and gentlemen, if you will bear with me, i'm going to share with you the words i have more college track. in honor of college track bayview ground breaking

celebration and in honor of college track's commitment to educating our youth and in recognition of welcoming college track to the bayview, the city and county of san francisco board of supervisors hereby extends their highest commendation for your dedication to san francisco communities and sends their best wishes to you on this day. thank you so much. [applause] i am just going to have, in my closing remarks, many of you have been probably watching the news and we have challenges when it comes to public safety and i want to let you know that this building is the step in the right direction because block by block we'll take back the bayview. this neighborhood will be safe for everyone. thank you. [applause] every member in this community is going to be able to walk up

and down the third street corridor and be able to shop and spend all their money on the merchant corridor and feel safe and confident. not only will you be safe but we'll do a better job of educating our kids right here. we are on the track to close the achievement gap and i'm here to reafirm my ghoiment you as a public -- commitment to you as a public service that i am on the job and on the track and paying attention. thank you. [applause] >> last, but certainly not least -- i met randy when he was a senior in high school before i came to college track, san francisco, i was with college track, oakland, and randy exemplifies why college track is in existence so i would love for randy to share his story with us. [applause] >> thanks, omar. trust in the lord with all its hine heart and lean not on to

thine own understanding. my great grandparents raised me with these words in east oakland. my great grandparents raised me. i went to sleep with nightly gunshots and found drugs in my backyard discarded by dealers on the run. my great grandfather was my father figure. he gave me my motivation and college track helped me harness it. as a child, i wanted to be an architect. i was amazed by cranes, erecting skyscrapers. in the sixth grade, i was diagnosed with dyslexia. i thought i could only be a construction worker. my grandfather taught me carpentry skills in middle school but one day while we built a fence together, he talked to me about college and inspired me to be more than a carpenter. when i joined college track, i slowly overcame my learning disability. i had one-on-one daily tutoring and high expectations from

people like omar. i took school more seriously and pulled my g.p.a. from a 2.5 to a 3.5 by my senior year, around the time that omar came and joined us. my outlook changed and optioned opened up. i realized they loved the sciences and my wood shop instructor encouraged me to be an engineer. during my senior year, my great grandfather gave me the college talk. i remember him looking away from me when he started off by saying, i don't want you to be like the rest of the -- out there. i told him i wanted to be an engineer and a smile grew across his face. he said, that's all right, too. his encouragement meant so much to me but sadly during my freshman year at san francisco state university, he passed away at 89 years old. the morning before the funeral, our old next door neighbor told

me he was glad i was in college and he said that in their time you didn't need a college education to be successful, you just had to be smart and follow instructions. he went on to say that young people today do not realize how important it is to get a college education. through the rest of college, i faced challenges such as being homeless. the house i was raised in in oakland was foreclosed on and my father was -- i stayed with my father for a while and that didn't work out but college track was there for me in my time of need, not only helping me get into college, but helping me graduate from college. they offered me a hardship scholarship which allowsed me to live on campus. college track has helped fill the void of my great grandparents and they have become my family. i originally got the email to come here from david and i was

busy putting together a bid for the presidio, helping out one of my co-workers. and then i was thinking about it while i was at my desk and julian text messaged me, are you coming? and i thought about it, and i thought, i will have to make time to go. i'll have to talk to my boss and negotiate something to be there tonight because college track has been there so much for me, i can't let them down when they're asking me to spend a little bit of time. i want to emphasize to people here tonight, we talk about students, but i also want to emphasize that looking beyond statistics, looking at the individual students, the impact you'll make with their lives, they're building relationships with college track staff like omar. i ran into marshall's daughters last week in san francisco. they remember the days in college track oakland when i used to babysit them while marshall handled stuff at

college track. it's those moments that just by providing a center in san francisco, you're providing memories and not only that, you're not only providing memorying for them, you're providing a foundation for these students to grow build on as they grow to have families of their own, not just careers. another thing i thought about is that i want to leave this world better than what i started when i first got here so to do that, i have to come to events like this. i have to encourage people to give to programs like college track and think about the impact you're having on individual students' lives. i still talk to my trends that were in the program -- friends that were in the program and college track has made such a big impact. even for the ones that didn't complete college, they realize they have positive. they don't want their kids to grow up the same way they did. they want to tell the person that might be breaking into somebody's car, you don't have break into somebody's car,

i'll help you. that's the type of community we need and that's the type of community college track builds everywhere they go. thank you. >> and so i would now like to introduce david silver, the c.u.a. of college track national. >> good evening. today is a historic day, a day in which the community puts a stake in the ground, literally, for equity, so that all students in the bayview will truly have the opportunity to go to college and pursue their dreams. look around the room. this doesn't happen every day. this is an incredible coalition from across the city and across the bayview and think about what we are creating together. college track can't reach our

vision alone. but together, we can, and today, thanks to many of you, we are one step closer. i'd like to thank many of the people here, starting with supervisor cohen, mayor lee and mr. caranza from mr. garcia's office. if we can give them a round of applause. [applause] second, fred blackwell, and the staff at the san francisco redevelopment agency for your support and partnership to make this day possible. to president swig, rick swig and the other members of the sfra board of commissioners, thank you. to the college track bayview council, and hydra mendoza, ron conway, cofi bonner, and to the college track board who believed in us and believed in our students and this dream. and another group that i would

like to thank is the bayview larger community. the p.a.c. and k.a.c. members for all the work you did, the u.s. bank, the other members of the community and community based organizations. you and your ongoing partnership are critical for us as we aim to empower students and families. [applause] thank you to the community and thank you also to the college track staff who has and will continue to work tirelessly to make sure that we reach our vision. i want to also thank a couple of people individually. in addition to omar and the san francisco staff who will be here in this building, raise your hands, if you would, as well as marshall lott, brian gadson and julie lawyer who helped make this day possible. if we being give the college track staff a round of applause. and the most important people in this room are college track

students. if we could bring up the students and if you could come on over here, that would be great. [applause] these students -- come on up -- as they're coming out, they work day in and day out to pursue their dreams. go all the way across. they defy stereotypes, they inspire with us our dedication. they are living proof that college is not an exception but one day it will be an expectation for all students in this community. students, you are the heroes. as we applaud your work, i also would like to have an opportunity here to have mayor lee, supervisor cohen, everyone that is up here, if you could please come up here, we're going to pause for a picture in a moment. if you can get together. we're going to need more students gathered up in the front.

[applause] >> not a sunny day, a joyous day. good morning, everybody. we are under some time constraints because they are l -- mayor lee and members of the board have some additional responsibilities and i want to give them the opportunity to say a few words. there are a number of community leaders alike to a knowledge as well.

i want to express gratitude for the court of appeals ruling today that strikes a devastating blow to the legal defense of proposition 8. the well reasoned decision reveals marriage discrimination for what it is. discrimination. it powerfully affirms the constitution goes a promise of equal protection under the law. this fight began eight years ago, almost to the day when they are gavin newsom will lead decided to issue licenses to same-sex couples. [applause] shortly after, san francisco would distinguish itself as the first government in american history to strike down marriage laws that discriminate against same-sex partners. fortunately, we would not be alone. in addition to the brave plan,

we successfully recruited to does another series - -cities -- cities and counties statewide. we are still fighting in california today, six states issue marriage licenses to same- sex couples. we owe a debt of gratitude to all that began in this building eight years ago. together, we started an argument for a quality. and we put a human face on marriage discrimination. i speak for everyone in my office when i say how honored we are to continue to work alongside the american foundation for equal rights. the outstanding legal team and the couple's the represent.

-also very proud of the deputies in my office that worked so hard on this appeal. the deputy city attorney's. i also want to thank all the city officials whose support has been instrumental from the beginning. i know the terms city family is sometimes criticized, but i can't think of a better, more fitting expression of what it means to have the strong support of mayor lee and the board of supervisors with a cause that matters so deeply to california and the nation. we will take your questions shortly, but the mayor and members of the board have some additional obligations. i want to give them the opportunity to say a few words haland express their thoughts.

[applause] >> thank you, dennis. i have often said this is the year of the dragon, and that means you have to confront your challenges. what a way to confront this challenge that has been with us for some many years. this is the greatest opportunity i have seen, it is one that i truly am celebrating with the city family, but i most want to thank the people that have battled this for some years. on behalf of all families in the state of california, and this is a family issue, one that we felt we were on the right side of history for some many years. without hesitation, i want to thank our city attorney and they're wonderful staff for continuing this battle all the way to the federal court.

eight years ago, i watched as all of you, various levels of city hall, we knew that we were on the right side of history that many years ago. we knew that there would be some fights ahead of us. we did the writing and as your city minister at that time, going through and getting the marriage is ready. we are doing the same thing, we are getting ready. because your constitutional rights should not have to wait. they really should not have to wait for everybody else to catch up. i know that we still have a court proceedings that will be studying, but we need to take this opportunity to thank

everyone that is often part of this great movement. i had a chance of a couple weeks ago to join mayors across the country on the freedom to marry movement, and you are hearing that more and more mayors and the states are accepting, recognizing the constitutional rights. for this court of appeals to have made such a significant ruling on this california proposition, it is very historic and very significant. most importantly, in addition, people worked very hard in the communities worked very hard. the hundreds of families that have been waited for so long -- waiting for so long. this is how the society comes together, moments where we can celebrate and recognize there is no difference among all of

us. this is a family, in large part, for humanity. congratulations. [applause] >> of what like to point out, the u.s. conference of mayors, these that they have taken to brought in the constituency. i want to have the mayor for his leadership in that effort. and mayor jerry sanders from san diego. he was a witness in this case, and we owe him a tremendous debt of gratitude. >> if i hadn't mentioned it, gavin newsom was brave 8 years ago. that was something that i have been very fortunate to take up, it is a cause that we will continue.

[applause] >> we are very lucky to have a tremendous support of supervisors that have been supportive. and i would like to invite supervisor scott winer an -- wiener and newly appointed supervisor chrstine olague. [applause] >> i know i am speaking on behalf of the board to talk about how incredibly excited we all are today. i can say that personally, my past life as a deputy city attorney, i saw firsthand, the steady leadership of my former boss and our great city attorney, dennis herrerra.

every so often, we get a court ruling that reaffirms our faith in the judicial system and in our constitution. back with a supreme court struck down the abomination amendment out of colorado that would have made gay people and lgbt people second-class citizens. today, to have federal appeals court to recognize the basic humanity of lgbt people everywhere, it is a time for celebration and a time for all of us come together as a community. we have to get back to work because the fight is not done and we have to pass through to the very end where we have marriage equality for every single person in this country. [applause]

>> i wanted to mention a supervisor david campos. he can't be here because he is ill. he wanted to send his greetings and he will be thrilled about this decision. it reminds me how wonderful it is to live in san francisco. i love san francisco, it is a great city. this is a civil rights victory but it is also a human rights victory. we have a right, just like everyone else, to be married, divorced, to walk down the middle of oklahoma openly queer in the middle of the day and not be harassed and persecuted for who we are. i believe this is a wonderful day for all of us that are not just lgbtq activists, but human

rights activists. we want to be treated in a humane way, it is just that simple. i want to thank all of the activists that fought so hard to make sure that this day happen, maybe we will catch up with spain and other parts of europe. it is such a catholic country and it has been legal there for many years. we will get there. i am confident of that. >> i want to thank the supervisors. we have everybody here. and before we open it up for questions, i know that there are representatives here from senator leno's office, members

of the equaly california. thank you for being here. there is another elected official i like to give the opportunity to come up sf few words, how that as our treasurer-- and say a few words, and that is our treasurer. >> as a member of the gay community and as an elected official, more importantly, the incredible work like nclr, and equality california, they have championed the cause. i have seen some many representatives that have kept this issue alive and to make sure that people never forget allen gordon it is that everybody in our state and in our country have equal rights.

>> i know we have representatives here. we'll open it up for questions. right now there is a stay in place from the ninth circuit court of appeals. we will have to wait in see what happens. the other side has the opportunity to seek a hearing or to try and competition for the u.s. supreme court. for now, the state stays in place and we will take it one step at a time and to monitor as the legal proceedings developed. i will be in close contact with the mayor if that should change. he has assured me that the city mechanisms and machinery stand ready to do whatever it can to expedite marriages in the event that it was to be something that we could do. right now, we are taking it one

step at a time. [inaudible] >> i have instructed the county clerk to immediately communicate with all of the county clerk's across the state to make sure we are using the same forms. we want the dignity to be reflected in every jurisdiction of this state when the decision is handed down. and that has also been the wonderful part of it. we treated everyone with a the same dignity, that is what people wanted. >> [inaudible] >> the earliest that they could issue them in his 21 days. and we will monitor closely the next three weeks to see how

things work. >> the proponents could petition and ask the ninth circuit to extend the stay. i would not be surprised if they did. they will have to do that before the mandate issues. >> [inaudible] >> i think you are correct, it is very unlikely that it will be denied. right now we have to see if they will petition for review in the next 14 days. the earliest that if there was

not a petition for review, the very earliest something could happen would be going before the supreme court if they were to accept its in the late fall or early winter of this year, but that is a very aggressive timeline. >> [inaudible] >> i did. >> [inaudible] >> that's correct. that's correct. that's correct. >> [inaudible] >> yeah. i mean, this is -- if you go back and look at a briefing in this case, that is the exact argument that the city made and terry argued in the ninth circuit.

in the chronicle this morning, there could of been a variety of ways that this case went. the ninth circuit chose a narrow approach that applies only to california. and based upon the panoply of rights that are already given to lgbt people in califormiania, there was no rational basis to have prop 8 be declared constitutional. they said it was so focused on taking the dignity away from same-sex couples that there was no rational basis whatsoever. it could not be reconciled with the panoply of rice that are already provided to lgbt