thank you, phil ginsburg. the family thanks ed lee and the san francisco recreation park in rec commission in naming this new wonderful and beautiful city facility the betty ann ong chinese recreation center. we also thank the people of the city and county of san francisco, the petition-signers, and everyone involved in urging that the center be named after betty. it is a tremendous privilege to the new center that it be named after betty, and our family does not taken lightly. in so doing, it is an honor and a tribute not only to betty and her legacy, but also for all the other victims and heroes who died on september 11. betty ann ong ann foundation would like to thank everyone for their generosity in supporting our fund-raising effort to fully equip the center. and now i would like to take these last few minutes to thank some very special people. i would like to thank and acknowledgement chiu, elaine, and all the past directors and their ancillary for their tremendous dedication in serving the community of

i am phil ginsburg, the general manager of the recreation and parks department.'re giving thanks to the mayor and to spur for the leadership and vision to undergo this project. we often have to respond to problems in emergencies of the day. arguably, there are a few out here, but this process has been speaking to the future. the trust for public land, an advocacy organizationñmiÑ?!i, jt named san francisco as the number 1 urban park system in the united states of america. it is not just the city in the county, but our open space system which comprises 70% of all of this city's land, including the national park service in the state park system. it is so exciting to think aboutejjbkt what can be done o. we all look around. all you have to do is to a 360 loop and the word that comes to mind is potential. it is incredible and precious oceanfront open space. and the opportunity to think about how to agree a better accessibility between our beloved golden gate park, our zoo, lake merced, some of the national parkland here, and ocean beach in the great highway is a gre

[says hello in chinese] [my name is phil ginsburg in chinese] [speaking chinese] welcome to the chinese recreation center. [cheers and applause] a for effort. we're killing time. i could try to do it again. no. all right, 61 years ago, major robinson officially opened the doors to the original chinese recreation center here at washington and mason streets. in those 61 years, there have been generations of chinatown kids who have grown up playing here and who have considered this their second home, their backyard, their place to play. a safe place to meet friends, exercise, or as we like to say at the san francisco recreation and park department, a place to just get out and play. chinese rec was never the biggest and certainly not the fanciest recreation center, although i think it is now. but it definitely, definitely, definitely was the most beloved. in a neighborhood like this or population density is one of the highest in the city and where parks and open space are severely limited, recreation centers like this are crucial to the health and well-being of our kids, our families, and s

. >> i just want to thank the commissioners and phil ginsburg.t was not for the four side of my leisure services manager and the rest of my team, i would not have been able to do this. thank you. >> one last announcement that may have gotten lost in the shuffle. as you know, our 2012-13 budget was approved. the board of supervisors approved it on first reading yesterday. for the first time in several years, the board actually added back over $400,000 to our budget, which we will use for additional part patrol officers and additional gardening staff. i really want to thank katie petrucione, our entire budget team, and the board of supervisors for understanding the important role that we play in maintaining the quality of life in our communities and helping to keep our parks clean, safe, and fun. we have had some tough budget years and i do not think we're out of the woods by any means, but this year was as smooth as we have had in a while. so thank you, commissioners. jamie, this month in parks? ♪ >> we are here celebrating kids and sports, not ju

good morning, phil ginsburg. i have been helping represent helen on this project, and i just want to say that nine people drowned in the u.s. every day -- nine people drowne in the u.s. every day. in ethnically diverse communities, the rate is two or three times higher. african american and latino american children are unable to swim at roughly two or three times the rate of their caucasian counterparts. i really believe that the wave of the future is all about partnerships and collaboration. this grant is about a partnership between a wonderful individual, helen hilton raiser, and rec and park. we are hoping very much this will be a pilot and that the program will continue on for the coming years. thank you. >> is there any public comment? be none, public comment is closed -- being none, public comment is closed. commissioner buell: before i entertain a motion, i want to thank helen on behalf of the commission. we are grateful that you are helping the recreation and park department. thank you. moved and seconded

next, phil ginsburg, superintendent -- general manager of the department of recreation and parks, andur amazing collection of open spaces out here. >> thank you. mohammed nuru is a very tough act to follow. i am phil