i realized it was for a guy named tony that wrote some song called "i left my heart in san francisco." [applause] [laughter] i love district 2, i do my grocery shopping there and i tried to keep the neighborhood thriving. i am pleased to get this commendation who through black history month. the african-american community here is really slipping away. they're still able to stay. i was here for the job, but i would not have accepted it if i had not had family here. i come from a huge family of 11

and i like to have a little bit of family with me. the first one to come was my brother ronald who came to work in silicon valley. i would like for them to stand in the chambers today. [applause] and also cheering me on is my guy, gary love, what a perfect name for valentine's day. it really is his name here a -- name. [applause] i like to thank my station for allowing me to cover city hall. i love that and i am happy to be able to come in here. it does not mean that you get any special treatment.

i hope i can take my commendation in use it to keep from getting parking tickets today. [laughter] thank you very much. [applause] president chiu: congratulations. our next commendation will be

provided by the colleague from district 4, supervisor chu. supervisor chu: i want to thank everybody for being here today and congratulate all the honorees from every one of the district. i look forward to hearing the stories today. if i can ask you to come forward, and also as principal beverly to come on up as well. my hon. today is also known as b.j.. we learned about her from the alternative school, but her story is so much more interesting than that. she grew up in beaumont texas with a mother that strongly emphasized the importance of education. if she always said to do what is right, not what is easy. her teacher noticed that b.j. had a very talented athletic potential. she instructed her to sign up

for all sports, including tennis, a sport that she knew nothing about. she began to teach yourself hitting balls against the wall and by the time she was a senior in high school, she was ranked of the state's no. 1 tennis player in her age class. this led to a successful career were she was trained p byancho go -- by pancho gonzales. it was billie jean keaing that dubbed her b.j. notably, she toured with the united states tennis association, and she served at a time when there was a segregated system. certainly we have come a long way since that time, and b.j. has come along with that. at 50, b.j. had a change of careers and also started to work

as a substitute teacher. she was immediately hired to be the key test coach. and almost there came to alternative school. it has blossomed with championships in many of the sports areas. they normally have 200 kids, but they compete against schools that have more than 1000 students very competitively. she has demonstrated commitment and she understands the physical activity really leads to stronger success in the classroom. not only is she a kind and remarkable woman, she had experiences and skills through all of art history. i would like to take time to honor you and thank you, a wonderful educator and a wonderful person to look up to

and say congratulations for being the on marine -- honoree today. [applause] >> i would like to thank each and everyone of you for giving me this opportunity to be here. starting with my parents, having me go forward and stay positive. she is very happy, she was

denied him to go to school at one point. my grandfather hold her, make sure that all of your children go to school and get an education. try to stay somewhere where they can go to high school. [applause]

on behalf of superintenintendene have a certificate of commendation. we want to thank ms. richards for being the person behind the 600 students pushing them to do their personal best. as an educator educating our students, thank you and congratulations. [applause] president chiu: our next presentation will be by supervisor kim. supervisor kim: thank you. last year, we wanted to recognize two everyday heros. i wanted to say a few words.

i wanted to talk about why we only celebrate black history month in february. every day that i walk in the city hall, i remember and knowledge of the work of some many people that fought for our rights, our voice, and representation. i recognize that i stand on the shoulders of some the people that fought for me to be here today. i am also fortunate to talk about the immigration of the african-american community. we can talk about why that happened and all the different factors that lead to that, but it is something that has to be a knowledge. -- acknowledged. i wanted to talk about the

individuals that have given so much to our city and the south of market in the tenderloin. i want to bring them both up. first, sandra manning. [applause] and james powell, why don't you both come up? [applause] and while i'm speaking, i know there are a lot of folks that you touched that are here to a knowledgeable leadership and services, so if you want to, while i speak of them, it would be great to have you behind them. i am really proud to recognize you today. she is a tenant organizer, she has worked here for the past six years. her deep roots go back to her

nana, recently celebrating her one hundredth birthday. she was first exposed to the power of organizing by her mother. educating public housing residents about her rights. she is currently working towards her associate's degree at city college. during that time, they organize monthly tenant meetings where they facilitate conflict resolution and led petition drives to remove a tenderloin bus shelter that was in front of the children's park that was a

public safety threat. the member of the collaborative women's group, she has been particularly committed to helping women empower each other. and continually attempt hearings on different issues impacting your community. through community outreach, it is really where change happens. she loves the tenderloin and constantly represents it has one of the favorite neighborhoods in san francisco. and in her words, the coolest place to eat. they came highly recommended from the district 6 advocate community.

he doesn't look into, but he is 73 and spent most of his years here. it has been for almost 13 years as a case manager for homeless and seniors and young adults. located in the south of market and that serves a large population of african-american clients. he also court makes the senior area services every year for the past five years and cut- facilitates the group for the homeless. all of their negotiations, that as a lot of work. i also think of what has come most from the community regarding the particular advocacy of the seniors and young adults with disabilities. we also hear about the passion

and dedication to educating our most vulnerable rights. they will share stories with anyone that will listen, says that around for that later. he is a strong believer in social justice. i am so honored to recognize james and sandy today. i want to recognize how much our cities and communities depend on individuals like these to make our neighborhoods wonderful places to live. i know how tough and challenging this work is. [applause]

>> i would like to thank supervisor kim for that wonderful introduction and also to the board of supervisors for having this wonderful ceremony for me. i am a native san franciscan, we are quite rare. not too many of us left. but this is an honor to be here to be a recipient of this commendation. like my mother before me, her name was annie may manning. espinola jackson, she and my mother were very good friends. we also went to the public housing tenant association meetings where my mother drags me. she was getting me ready, you might need this in the future.

she was right, and here i am. i thank all of you very much, god bless you. [applause] >> i am humbled, absolutely humbled. i just found out about it a few hours ago, and i accept this recognition on behalf of those that work of the homeless here in san francisco, especially those that work with the seniors and disability. i have been working in community work ever since i was 14 years old. as a result of a very fiery mother that told me to stay connected and be part of the

decision making process through the vote. i truly believe in the vote. i truly believe in the participatory ability of each and every person in this room to make a change. i want to say that we're all going to continue to provide services for those that seem to be left behind, sometimes because they no longer have the worth within the community or within our society.

each and everyone of you as supervisors continue to think about ways of providing services for this hon. population. standing in line sometimes at 3:00 a.m. in wheelchairs or on walksers, -- walkers, there has got to be another way. ieee urged the new take this as a challenge because there are those who cannot buy and compete in those lines every day. and again i am overwhelmed for

this honor, but i want more than my recognition, the opportunity on a soapbox to say do not forget the seniors and those who are disabled or in need of homes and shelter beds. i also want to say we thank you for where you have done because when compared to other cities, this places like utopia. thank you. [applause]

supervisor chiu: our next presentation. supervisor wiener: we are recognizing commissioner tehran. -- terman. please come up. i -- until recently, julius was a resident of rest -- district 8. his honored -- he is honored as our resident. his background is extraordinary. as a lawyer, of uses -- assistant united states attorney. the very successful trial lawyer. and out to san francisco where

he worked for many years at howard rice. also very successfully a partner at morgan lewis. he rose up through the legal profession on the board of the bar association of san francisco. julius has not limited his community service to the legal profession as important as that work is. he served and succeeded me as the alice b. toklas lgbt democratic club and the national board of directors of the human rights campaign. he served as a human rights commissioner and currently and recently appointed by this board to the police commission where he is doing extraordinary work. julius has been a true leader in the community and we're lucky to have him here in san francisco. he will continue to do great things. two things about julius that

make him even more special than he would be otherwise. one is i know in the lgbt community there is a stereotype that it is white, gay people. we know that the lgbt community is as says any other community in this world. julius has worked hard with others and i have tried to support that effort every step of the way to make sure that in the community we are welcoming of every member of our community when there was a bar in the castro that was discriminating against african-american people, julius was part of a leadership who made sure there was accountability. to make sure that we recognize this as a community and we

became a better community because of it. we worked very hard to diversify the alice b. toklas lgbt club and make sure all voices were presented and heard. i know that julia's has worked hard in the african-american community to make sure people understand that community is as diverse as any other committee. we thank you for your work in this regard. supervisor campos will second this. he is just about the most loyal friend and supporter you could have. one of those people who will always be there for you. to catch you when you fall down. to push you forward. make sure you are moving in the right direction. the flip side of that is when you're being a full you will be told you are being a fool. i have always appreciated his advice and his counsel. even if he is telling me things i do not want to year. julius, you'll always be a

friend and family. i am not the only one who feels that way. it is my great pleasure to honor julius terman today. [applause] >> thank you. i am humbled and overwhelmed, supervisor wiener, a longtime friend. i want to thank you for selecting me. black history month is a very special time for me. i still remember its significance to me. when i was 12 years old, my grandmother handed me a copy of brown v. board of vacation -- education. she said, growth and be a lawyer. she tells me -- would tell me where is your time and she would be proud of the fact that i am a

lawyer. she told me to always remember that in every day when i stepped into any meeting in to any court room, i do, i carry the tradition and the belief of my family and my people. i am proud to be an african- american. i am proud to be an african- american in san francisco when our population is dwindling. prior to have been a resident of district 81997 through 2011. i am proud to be in supervisor cohen's district. my grandma told me to surround myself with good people. i have to tell you that is what i have done and i am proud to look around this chamber and see so many friends. my very first friend who sat four doors down from me at howard rice when i used to

scream down the hall at the bidd campos. and my great friend malia cohen. thank you for entrusting me on the police commission. it is great work. i have to tell you i love being there. for all of those who worry, you can call and find out. my record is pretty damn close to being perfect. i love being on the police commission. thank you for that. i am here to serve san francisco and san franciscans. that is what i learned at home. and want to be of service. -- i want to be of service. stepping into this chamber is one of the proudest moments of my life. thank you so very much. [applause]

[applause] president chiu: next, supervisor

cohen. supervisor cohen: this is the best part about this, you're able to hold about standing members and give them a few minutes of special time and love and admiration. i speak on behalf of my colleagues. we may have been elected to serve, but it is a pleasure to serve with you. with every one of the awardees today. without further ado, it is a great privilege to be able to call to your attention an outstanding woman who is by far living history. living black history. i would like to call to the attention and to honor raquel miller. she is representing the united states and what will be the first -- who knew it, we have first we are cochrane. the first olympics to hold a