November Newsletter
Monthly Rundown
I hope this communication finds you well. As we get closer to the 2023 General Assembly session in January, I wanted to give you an update on the happenings throughout state government, in the 86th District, and the work I have been doing as your representative during the month of October. As always, it’s a true honor to serve as your representative in the legislature and please don’t hesitate to reach out if I or my office can ever be of any assistance.
2022 Election Results
A huge congratulations to the Northern Virginia Congressional Delegation on their reelection! Our Congressional Representatives Gerry Connolly (VA-11), Jennifer Wexton (VA-10), Don Beyer (VA-08) and Abigail Spanberger (VA-07) are true public servants and champions for our community. I am so grateful for their leadership and support at the federal level and am thrilled that they will continue to serve in this capacity. We are lucky to be so well represented!
In the Town of Herndon, Mayor Sheila Olem was re-elected as were Council Members Pradip Dhakal, Naila Alam, and Cesar del Aguila. Council Members-Elect Keven LeBlanc, Clark Hedrick, and Donielle Scherff will join the dais next January.
Protest Against Governor Youngkin’s Model Policies
Last month, thousands of students across the Commonwealth conducted a walkout to protest the new model policy directed at LGBTQ children in Virginia’s K-12 school system.
I was proud of our students who demonstrated solidarity and care for their peers and for using the tools in their toolkit to participate in well-organized, peaceful actions. Some of the greatest movements in history were born from student protests.
In 2020, Virginia passed legislation that created model policies to promote safety, affirmation and support for LGBTQ children in schools. These new changes under the Youngkin Administration are not only cruel but post an immediate threat to the wellbeing and safety of our kids. I find it particularly abhorrent that some politicians continue to use children, especially our most vulnerable, as political pawns in their grab for power. All kids deserve to feel seen, feel safe, and learn with dignity in their classrooms.
Here is more information regarding the policy:
https://wtop.com/virginia/2022/10/youngkin-on-new-transgender-policies-its-the-law/
This link provides a useful guide on how to be a strong ally for transgender kids:
Failures of the Virginia Department of Elections
Recently, an error from the Virginia Department of Elections resulted in around 13,000 Town of Herndon voters receiving mailers with incorrect information about their polling place ahead of the November 8th midterm elections.
Other towns in Northern Virginia that were affected include Dumfries, Haymarket, Occoquan, Quantico, Clifton, Herndon, and Vienna. In addition, similar mistakes occurred across Southwest Virginia.
In addition, the Virginia Department of Elections notified the public that an IT error resulted in 149,000 new voter registration and address updates being unable to be processed by the department. The error resulted in the new registrations and updates being sent out to local general registrars to fast-track the updates the weekend before the election. A similar error occurred earlier in the month that impacted 107,000 voter records.
Under the Youngkin Administration and Commissioner Susan Beals, the Virginia Department of Elections has made mistake after mistake and failed to properly carry out their most essential of duties, voter registration. While the Department of Elections has much work to do, it is only because of the commitment and tireless work of our local general registrars that the voters affected by the incompetence of the Department were able to cast their votes on Election Day.
This year’s election saw an increase in the number of participants who voted early with 130,000 residents exercising that option — a 66% increase from the 2018 midterm elections. Nearly 400,000 Fairfax County voters exercised their civic duty in this year’s midterm to re-elect Representatives Connolly, Beyer, and Wexton to Congress.
Commission on Youth
In the Commonwealth, we have a range of Boards and Commissions on which legislators and members of the public are appointed to consider issues related to specific subject matters, receive reports and public comment and make recommendations for legislative and regulatory actions accordingly. I have the privilege of serving on The Commision on Youth, which, as the name implies, focuses on policy initiatives that pertain to young people here in the Commonwealth.
Children represent 25% of our state’s population, which numbers almost 2 million people within the age range of 0-18. The Commission on Youth seeks to create an outlet for government officials, service providers, educators, parents, or members of the public to voice their concerns regarding a host of issues that affect our youth.
It is an honor to serve on this Commission and here you can check out our discussion earlier this month regarding youth disability issues, foster care system supports and juvenile detention centers.
Disability Commission
This month I testified virtually at a follow-up meeting of the Disability Commission to continue our discussion around my bill, HJ85, which was a piece of legislation I introduced during the 2022 regular legislative session that would push for solutions to allow members of the developmental disability community to have the dignity of employment after independent living.
With every meeting, I remain hopeful that meaningful strides will be undertaken by members of the commission to address this issue and provide dignity to members of disabled community. Here is a recording of the meeting in October for those interested.
Korean Bell Garden Event
The Korean Ambassador to the United States, Ambassador Taeyong Cho, invited members of the community to the Korean Bell Garden at Meadowlark to commemorate the newly planted Korean Pine Tree. Virginia is home to one of the largest Korean-American populations in the nation and the Korean Bell Garden acts as a symbol of pride for the Korean-American community in Virginia.
The Korean Pine Tree (sonamoo in Korean) is an often-used and historic symbol in Korean art. The sonamoo, an evergreen and resilient tree, is thought to be a reflection of the spirit of the Korean people. South Korea and the United States have a long history of diplomatic relationships and cultural exchanges like this are key to a strong ongoing alliance.
Cornerstones Community Forum
The COVID-19 Pandemic and its consequences exacerbated the income inequality that persists throughout Fairfax County. For the past 50 years, Cornerstones has provided housing, childcare, food or financial assistance for our unhoused community in Fairfax County. They have made significant strides in combating the inequality in our economic, health, and social structures.
The community forum hosted by Cornerstones brought together experts, advocates, and elected officials to facilitate conversations with the conclusion of creating robust, data-driven solutions towards the societal problems that continue throughout Fairfax County.
I am thankful to Cornerstones for their continued assistance and advocacy to better help build more resilient and whole neighborhoods in our community. I look forward to working with them to address the biggest challenges our neighbors face and being a strong legislative ally.
DAD Breakfast
The Dulles Area Democrats (DAD) host a monthly breakfast event and this month’s breakfast focused on LGBTQ rights, the Youngkin Administration’s dangerous model policies, and its effects. Delegate Marcus Simon, Loudoun County School Board candidate Nick Gothard, and I discussed the implementation of such model policies, the harmful threat it poses to some of our most vulnerable children, and how the Youngkin Administration would likely be challenged in the courts for the legality of these new policies. As usual, DAD put together an excellent breakfast and safe community to foster meaningful conversations about how we can be strong allies to help the LGBTQ community and ways to combat the hateful policies championed by Governor Youngkin.
Celebrate Fairfax
The Lord and Lady Fairfax Awards program is a yearly program that honors two volunteer leaders from each Magisterial District. The recipients are selected for their outstanding volunteer service to their community or for upstanding acts of heroism.
Special congratulations to Lisa Merkel on being awarded the Lady Fairfax award and to Steven Bloom for being awarded the Lord Fairfax award. Lisa Merkel is not only my neighbor, mentor, and dear friend but also a history-making trailblazer as the first woman elected as Mayor of the Town of Herndon. Lisa and Steven have earned these distinguished awards for their contributions to the Dranesville District and our greater community.
Metro Monday
Every Monday the Dulles Regional Chamber of Commerce hosts an event called “Metro Monday.” With Silver Line Phase II starting service imminently, this was a terrific event to talk with local officials, business leaders, and community members about the opportunities that lay ahead. I think everyone was most excited about finally having Metro service all the way to the Dulles Airport!
Korean Food Cook-Off
Earlier this month, I was delighted to participate as a judge for the Korean Food Cook-Off. It was an amazing experience tasting really incredible and creative dishes from many talented contestants. I am looking forward to next year’s cook-off. And you know me, I’ll take any excuse to enjoy some delicious kimchi! (Side note – the first Virginia Kimchi Day is coming up on November 22nd!)
Nothing Bundt Cakes
Nothing Bundt Cakes celebrated its grand opening on October 7th and I was proud to participate in the ribbon cutting ceremony for the location in Herndon. I was so glad to welcome this new small business to the District – their desserts are absolutely delicious and everyone should go try some for themselves, I promise you will not regret it! You can find them at 332 Elden St, Herndon, VA 20170.
Herndon Homecoming Parade
This year’s Herndon Homecoming Parade was another success! The coordinators did an outstanding job organizing the flow of the event and making sure everything went smoothly. There’s always terrific turnout for the parade and generates a lot of business and interest for our local establishments like Jimmy’s and Aslin.
Diwali Day Celebration
Diwali Day is India’s biggest and most important holiday of the year. The holiday is a festival that symbolizes the spiritual victory of light over darkness and good over evil. I was honored to attend a Diwali Day celebration hosted by the Democratic Asian Americans of Virginia.
Announcements
Flu Shots!
Flu Season is upon us. The CDC recommends receiving a yearly flu vaccine as it is the first and most critical step in protection against the flu virus. Learn more about how to further protect yourself against the flu here.
Student Debt Relief Application
The applications for student debt relief are now open and take less than 5 mins so apply asap! The debt relief program is stalled in the courts right now, but it is recommended that everyone should still submit an application. Click here for the application portal.
VAAPI Caucus Announcement
Last month, Delegate Mark Keam retired, leaving behind a tremendous legacy being the first Korean-American in the General Assembly and the founding Chair of the Virginia Asian American Pacific Islander Caucus. The VA AAPI Caucus recently elected Delegate Kathy Tran to serve as the new Chair of the Caucus.
I am so excited to continue serving in the caucus under her leadership. Her work ethic, moral clarity, and brilliance are unmatched and I know she will help to strengthen the Caucus to better serve our communities.
Silver Line Extension Opening
The Silver Line Extension will be opening on November 15th! This will be an exciting addition to our community and I am proud that the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority has provided a preview of the new stations. The new Silver Line Extension is an exciting opportunity to expand access to jobs, entertainment, and shopping destinations throughout northern Virginia. Check them out!