i don't know if you know, my personal story is i took west african lessons here with betty gamma bow a. this is very personal for me and my younger city. this is why i made sure to fund the successful third on third program. i'm going to continue to advocate for the role that arts play and continue to support the bayview hunters point foundation. to barbara, where is barbara? there you are. when i was listening to the mayor's remark, all i can hear is kaching and all of sounds is there is money for the opera house, right, mr. mayor? okay. i want to take this moment to acknowledge our wonderful mayor ed lee. this is a man who has walked and talked an are congruent with each other. mr. decaneey this you so much for being a director of a progressive forward thinking arts institution. and to the city family, thank you for understanding the significance of this building and more importantly the role it plays in the community. i want to acknowledge an amazing woman who has provided leadership to the community. she has afforded blood sweat and tears and this is ms. barbara -- barbara i want