[cheers and applause] >> what a mesmerizing performance. i wish we had time for more. i believe the president of the dance company, ms. lilly kai is here with us today in person. lilly. [cheers and applause] >> okay. one more round of --

one more round of applause for the lilly kai company. and now for final speaker of this ceremony, let us welcome ms. claudine chang. [cheers and applause] >> the president of the api heritage foundation and trustee of the asian art museum and my good friends, we've been doing this for what, 25 years claudine and it never gets tiring and perhaps ms. chang is the most familiar with the story of the lunar new year stamp. 30 something years ago, the idea of the stamp came from the organization of chinese-americans oca, georgia chapter member jean chang who felt strongly that the stories asian-americans can be told on the stamp like the black

heritage and hispanic stamp achieved. she was inspired by the idea and led a campaign urging the u.s. postal service to issue a stamp honoring chinese and asian-american culture and do contributions and the rest is history. please welcome claudine chang. [cheers and applause] >> thank you, thank you everyone for being here. i'm proud of them. i thank the staff, they reminded me about what communities can do if you put our minds together, when we set our mind on it and it wasn't easy. when i think back last night, i took a binder i have for this particular project and i thought about every year at this time, about jean chang and i'm glad the owner mentioned jean chang. she inspired me not only because of the idea of the

stamp because she represented to me that one person, one idea can make such a big difference. maybe i do know a little bit about more about the history of the stamp here because in fact, jean's idea for the stamp, she started thinking about it in 1986 and 1987. she sent a letter to the united states postal service. on her wishlist was a stamp in 1993 to celebrate the 50th anniversary or commemoration of the repeal of the chinese exclusion act. the other option she recommended was in 1994 for the 125 year anniversary of the completion of the chinese continental railroad and we know, majority if not all, but the laborers were chinese immigrants and not recognized for their work and jean felt these were really

compelling subjects to be understood because she saw how at that time, we had the black heritage series and other culture series and they were effective in materialing the stories -- effective in telling the stories of the ethnic communities. in the end, i think the idea that one over the committee that make decision on the stamp is the -- our lunar new year series. in the beginning, actually, it wasn't -- it was known as the happy new year stamp because as many of you may remember, we always said merry christmas stamps and we have happy easter stamps but for the longest time we didn't have a new year stamp in this country, so to put everything together, one and one and in the first few years, the lunar new year series was noticed as the happy new year's series. we're happy with that decision, not only because it's really an

important culture tradition but it's also a festival celebrated by many ethnic groups in the asian-pacific. when we're talking about 30 years celebration, the posters that had the previous stamps on it, the first stamp, the first is -- some of you may remember because you followed the stamps, it was the lunar calendar and it was designed by karen lee of hawai'i and design concept is the cut oust of the stamp so it's clear to see what year, what is the zodiac animal of the year. a few -- 15, 16 years later, a second artist was engaged, kim mag of new york and kim decided to be different and received festive and happy images, flowers and all things that we -- we think

that associate with the celebration of the new year. and of course, starting from the year 2020, now we have what we call the new-age series. i don't know. when you look at the current series, it's innovative and it's a different interpretation of what a zodiac animal is. in fact i was telling mayor breed i have heard comments, it looks like a rabbit from avatar. [laughter] it's very cute and innovative. it's a new interpretation. and the fact is that no matter which design you look at, it's beyond the art, it's beyond the design, there's a story. there's a story, governor talked about how this is a communication -- this is communication. this is a story and behind every one no matter what the design, we would like to share this part of the tradition of the asian community. and fast forward to

today, mayor breed has talked about our efforts, citywide under her leadership and the human rights commission, how we always look for every single opportunity to bring communities together, to learn more about each other's tradition, heritage, and this stamp has a unique place to do that. so, there is much to be said after all that we opted the last three years of meetings and getting used to online communications, there is a space for the stamp. we hope that it will stay forever. right! [cheers and applause] can i hear some enthusiasm here. we want more stamps to issued and more subject matters besides just the lunar new year that we can send to the united states postal service for your consideration in the future. so, in closing, as we think about the 30 years, i really want to take this opportunity to thank

all the organizations and people like from 30 something years ago that believe in this vision, believed we -- we would like to see a commemorative stamp down and send letters and i want to pay tribute to our two congressional representatives at the time in 1991, this worked closely with us, congresswoman nancy pelosi. i think her staff sabrina sun is with us today. thank you so much and former nancy -- and former congresswoman barbara boxer. both of them had bent over backwards and support what our community was advocating for and to be on our side and help to navigate and guide the way, so, nothing happens by itself. there's no accident. a lot of people, a lot of organizations get together to make things happen and we'll continue to do

that. thank you for the opportunity and i wish you all happy new year. [cheers and applause] >> thank you and as claudia mentioned, jean chang was a chapter member of the organization of chinese-americans and today, our last speaker is a very special guest, linda ng is a national president of oca. a national advocacy and education headquarter in washington, d.c. and established in 1973 and they have been working in collaboration with civil rights organizations, providing a strong voice on national issues that impact the aapi community. ms. linda ng. [applause] >> thank you, it's an honor.

good morning. thank you for inviting me to be a part of today's ceremony. and the opportunity to share a few words with you. this year is a historic one, as we are celebrating the 50th anniversary of the founding of oca. [applause] thank you! oca is a national civil rights organization headquartered in washington, d.c. with 50 chapters and affiliates across the country, of which four of them are based here in the northern california. founded in 1973, as the organization of chinese-americans, oca has

evolved into a truly pin asian organization, advocating for the asian and pacific islander americans. when we think about what we have accomplished over the past 50 years, the load far new year commemorated stamps stands out as a part of our efforts to promote cultural awareness and heritage. as you have all heard now, we are so thankful to jean chang of our georgia chapter and claudine chang, our former national president for their roles and visions to make the lunar new year stamp a reality over 30 something years ago. each year, oca chapters across the country -- travels across the country during lunar celebrations by

unveiling of the lunar new year stamp with the u.s. postal service. today, i am delighted to be here to continue this tradition and celebrate the new year of the rabbit. now, more than ever, as everybody says and agree that we communicate online with the mail, zoom, or text, but i must say, i find it very, very refreshing when i got a letter or even a greeting card in the mail, don't you agree. i mean, you're seeing the christmas cards is getting less and less, right, but when you get one, it's just wow! today, is a celebration -- this celebration clearly shows the same. not just a postage, but a means to promote, recognize, and

communicate. the lunar new year stamp is a great reminder that there's so much within our traditions to be proud of, to cherish and share, so i want to give a shout-out to our national executive team. they are here with me today, so if you're there, wave your hand, our executive director, yeah, thank you. [applause] what about our executive vice-president. oh! anyway, we're here to support you. and on behalf of oca, i would like to thank the u.s. postal service for continuing the lunar new year stamp series and also want to give a great thank you to the asian art museum for today's celebration. but most important of all, i wish all of you a

happy new year of the rabbit. [foreign language] thank you! [applause] >> thank you, linda and i also want to recognize city attorney david chiu who joined us. [applause] thank you, linda and oca, we have one more partner who was not able to come, donald lieu is president of the chinese chamber of commerce. the chinese chamber has been known for presenting the country's largest load load far parade on february -- lunar on february 4th. i hope you saw the rabbit statue on the front steps and this is a part of the chinese chambers project. there are five colorful rabbit statues located in different parts of the city. i hope you get to see them and take some nice pictures. we invite you to go to

the chinese, the website, chinese parade dot com to learn more about the flower fair happening this weekend and the parade and street fair that's taking place on february 4th. in addition, for a listing of the key lunar celebrations, you can checks out the website, apasf dot org. apasf dot org. we're truly fortunate to have organizations such as oca, the chinese chamber of commerce and asian art museum and our elected city family and many others that worked together to support this stamp and promote the appreciation of diverse api cultural heritage in san francisco and in the country. so we are at the end of today's ceremony and just a quick reminder, you can purchase your year of the rabbit stamps and other items at the postal service booth located right outside this hall. you can also

go online to visit the website wspf dot com store to purchase additional stamps and program participants will be there shortly to autograph today's program and other commemorative items and last but not least, you are in the best asian art museum in the country. this is -- [applause] this is a great opportunity to visit the galleries on the first floor and see the current exhibits. thank you again for attending today's event. you've been a great audience. enjoy your visit to the museum and i wish you all a very happy, heathy and prosperous year of the rabbit. thank you. [cheers and applause]

san francisco is surrounded on three sides by water, the fire boat station is intergal to maritime rescue and preparedness, not only for san francisco, but for all of the bay area. [sirens]

>> fire station 35 was built in 1915. so it is over 100 years old. and helped it, we're going to build fire boat station 35. >> so the finished capital planning committee, i think about three years ago, issued a guidance that all city facilities must exist on sea level rise. >> the station 35, construction cost is approximately $30 million. and the schedule was complicated because of what you call a float. it is being fabricated in china, and will be brought to treasure island, where the building site efficient will be constructed on top of it, and then brought to pier 22 and a half for installation. >> we're looking at late 2020 for final completion

of the fire boat float. the historic firehouse will remain on the embarcadero, and we will still respond out of the historic firehouse with our fire engine, and respond to medical calls and other incidences in the district. >> this totally has to incorporate between three to six feet of sea level rise over the next 100 years. that's what the city's guidance is requiring. it is built on the float, that can move up and down as the water level rises, and sits on four fixed guide piles. so if the seas go up, it can move up and down with that. >> it does have a full range of travel, from low tide to high tide of about 16 feet. so that allows for current tidal movements and sea lisle rises in the coming

decades. >> the fire boat station float will also incorporate a ramp for ambulance deployment and access. >> the access ramp is rigidly connected to the land side, with more of a pivot or hinge connection, and then it is sliding over the top of the float. in that way the ramp can flex up and down like a hinge, and also allow for a slight few inches of lateral motion of the float. both the access ramps, which there is two, and the utility's only flexible connection connecting from the float to the back of the building. so electrical power, water, sewage, it all has flexible connection to the boat. >> high boat station number 35 will provide mooring for three fire boats and one rescue boat. >> currently we're staffed with seven members per day, but the fire department would like to establish a new dedicated

marine unit that would be able to respond to multiple incidences. looking into the future, we have not only at&t park, where we have a lot of kayakers, but we have a lot of developments in the southeast side, including the stadium, and we want to have the ability to respond to any marine or maritime incident along these new developments. >> there are very few designs for people sleeping on the water. we're looking at cruiseships, which are larger structures, several times the size of harbor station 35, but they're the only good reference point. we look to the cruiseship industry who has kind of an index for how much acceleration they were accommodate. >> it is very unique. i don't know that any other fire station built on the water is in the

united states. >> the fire boat is a regional asset that can be used for water rescue, but we also do environmental cleanup. we have special rigging that we carry that will contain oil spills until an environmental unit can come out. this is a job for us, but it is also a way of life and a lifestyle. we're proud to serve our community. and we're willing to help people in any way we can. shop and dine on the 49 promotes local businesses and challenges residents to do shopping and

dining within the 49 square miles of san francisco by supporting local services within neighborhood. we help san francisco remain unique, successful and vibrant. where will you shop and dine in the 49? san francisco owes the charm to the unique character of the neighborhood comer hall district. each corridor has its own personality. our neighborhoods are the engine of the city. >> you are putting money and support back to the community you live in and you are helping small businesses grow. >> it is more environmentally friendly. >> shopping local is very important. i have had relationships with my local growers for 30 years. by shopping here and supporting us locally, you are also

supporting the growers of the flowers, they are fresh and they have a price point that is not imported. it is really good for everybody. >> shopping locally is crucial. without that support, small business can't survive, and if we lose small business, that diversity goes away, and, you know, it would be a shame to see that become a thing of the past. >> it is important to dine and shop locally. it allows us to maintain traditions. it makes the neighborhood. >> i think san francisco should shop local as much as they can. the retail marketplace is changes. we are trying to have people on

the floor who can talk to you and help you with products you are interested in buying, and help you with exploration to try things you have never had before. >> the fish business, you think it is a piece of fish and fisherman. there are a lot of people working in the fish business, between wholesalers and fishermen and bait and tackle. at the retail end, we about a lot of people and it is good for everybody. >> shopping and dining locally is so important to the community because it brings a tighter fabric to the community and allows the business owners to thrive in the community. we see more small businesses going away. we need to shop locally to keep the small business alive in san francisco.

>> shop and dine in the 49 is a cool initiative. you can see the banners in the streets around town. it is great. anything that can showcase and legitimize small businesses is a wonderful thing. >> derful thing. >> (indiscernible) faces transformed san francisco street and sidewalks. local business communities are more resilient and our neighborhood centers on more vibrant ask lively. sidewalks and parking lanes can be used for outdoor seating, dining, merchandising and other community activities. we're counting on operators of shared spaces to ensure their sites are

accessible for all and safe. hello, san francisco. i love it when i can cross the street in our beauty city and not worry whether car can see me and i want me and my grandma to be safe when we do. we all want to be safe. that's why our city is making sure curb areas near street corners are clear of parked cars and any other structures, so that people driving vehicles, people walking, and people biking can all see each other at the intersection. if cars are parked which are too close to the crosswalk, drivers can't see who is about to cross the street. it's a proven way to prevent traffic crashes. which have way too much crashes and fatalities in our city. these updates to the shared spaces program will help to ensure safety and accessibility for everyone so we can all enjoy these public

spaces. more information is available at sf dot gov slash shared

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