it is also my pleasure to introduce mark leno. he has been to just about every single ribbon cutting, and he really cares about libraries. so it is my pleasure to introduce to you senator mark leno. [applause] >> good morning, bayview. it does not get much better. i want to join mayor lee in welcoming everybody here and thanking our city librarian and his hard-working staff, the devoted and committed library commissioners, friends of the library folks to raise additional moneys to finish each of these projects. of course, supervisor cohen and weener -- weiner, leland yee as well. i have been not to over 20 of these ribbon cuttings. it is not often we get to say your tax dollars are at work with a smile on our faces, but we can do so today. voters knew what they were doing in 2000 when we passed proposition a, which provided $106 million for 24 renovations and a few new constructions. this being one of them. yes, this will be a 9000 square foot educational resource center bridging the digital divide with 21st century technology. bu

our next speaker is mark leno, california state senator, representing california's third senate district in the marin county democrats of sonoma, and san francisco cantu. he chairs the senate budget and fiscal review committee is, and he has been a longtime friend and advocate of the va and veterans. please welcome senator leno. [applause] >> thank you for the introduction. i am sure i am not alone when i say that there are many who sleep better at night knowing that you're doing your good work at the va administration. it is a real pleasure to be here for this auspicious occasion, here with major league and leader pelosi -- with mayor lee and a leader pelosi and all of our veterans. as it is said, it takes a village, in the village has come together today to support the work of the veterans administration in this five-year plan to end veterans joblessness. leader pelosi, you're certainly aren't point when you are advocating for the public option in our health care reform last year. weren't need look no further than the veterans administration to see a public option in healthcare provisi

[applause] we have a surprise hear from senator mark leno, who i believe has not made an endorsementuld you like to make an announcement? >> speaking of better looking -- >> it is my pleasure to join mr. mayer and our chief on this auspicious occasion. i think all the kind and generous words have been said. if you look on this wall, joanne, you can see the threshold to get on this wall is rather high. with some exceptions, we have got police chiefs, fire chiefs, mayors. i have been discriminated against because i am gay, jewish, but never for being estate center. i asked, how and why going to get on the wall? -- when am i going to get on the wall? he said soon. it is my pleasure to join in with the celebration and take a moment to recognize your unique accomplishments. chief hayes-white is the only chief to have served in all 42 different stations. i think that says something for your hands-on leadership style, that you have not only earned your stripes, made your way up the ladder in the department, but also have brought to us a motherly touch that is uncommon. congratulations to yo

he's a represent of senator mark leno's office. b.j.ssion is here. stewart. from the public library. and pete fitzsimmons and tannish col -- hollins and camille dawkins. camille is over here. without camille and tannish rkt , none of this happens. so let's give them a round of applause for their wonderful effort. the society's primary mission is to enlighten, to inform, to inspire and to empower. we achieve that mission in a variety of ways. almost always in partnership with others. through our current partnership that trevor spoke to with the finance -- kinsey foundation shall the san francisco public library, and the california council of the humanities, we are now hosting an incredible exhibition of art and artifacts from the kinsey collection, the kron -- that chronicles the story of people of frick desnent america. if you haven't done so you owe it to yourself and particularly to your children to visit and see this important exhibit which is at our library in the frake american -- african-american art and culture complex at 762 bol

we're also calling upon the federal government to follow the lead and take leave from people like mark leno, leland yee, and others who have called for the protection of the rule of law as enacted by the voters of the state of california. we also encourage the president of the united states to enact legislation requiring federal law enforcement to respect state law when it comes to medical cannabis. i think in these times, it is very important for us in the city and county of san francisco to take a clear stand in supporting patient rights, and i urge support of this resolution. i also want to take this opportunity to thank the medical canada's community and all the activists that have rallied behind this very important plot -- cause. i also want to think my colleagues for their co- sponsorship. >supervisor avalos: very good. i am a co-sponsoring this resolution as well. and i believe supervisor mar is as well. i am co-sponsor because i believe in and access to medical cannabis, as our state law has allowed. i think the changes that are coming down from the gut -- from the federal governmen

i am pleased to be here with mark leno, another member of the official family in san francisco as well. thank you for your leadership. i join my friends in welcoming you, mr. secretary, dr., thank you for coming, honoring us, dr. jesse, for honoring us with your presence. and sheila cullen is relentless when it comes to veterans, and thank you so much for your leadership. she knows how many issues we have been involved in an overtime, and she has been a tremendous leader. i want to would knowledge two more people. one is a veteran of the 21st century, serving in the early part of this century. and another one from the 1970's, a veteran from the 1970's. as we acknowledge them, let's have all the veterans who are here on the audience stand so they can be acknowledged. [applause] thank you all for your service to our country. i want to take a couple of moments to tell you why i think this is such a special occasion and a pivotal one. i will be a little personal about it. i said it was a personal pleasure to be at the salvation army. one of the little girl and as a teenager, my father was

mark on both saturday and sunday. >> ok, thank you. that is it for the news. "jay leno" is next. the new movie, "immortals," henry