Little Saigon has long served as an important home for the largest Vietnamese population outside of Vietnam. With numerous planned improvements on the horizon, it will soon take a major step forward as we secure its place as an iconic global destination.

Earlier this summer, we celebrated the 35th anniversary of the State’s designation of Little Saigon with a community celebration at the Asian Garden Mall. The event reminded our community of how far Little Saigon has come.

We are currently working on improvement projects to secure Little Saigon’s place as an iconic destination increasing business and tourism for Orange County.

Click here to read the full press release.

I joined nine other Vietnamese-American elected officials in petitioning Secretary of State Antony Blinken to address the human rights abuses perpetrated by the communist regime of Vietnam.

This summer, my Chief of Staff, Van Tran, met with Steve Manning, Foreign Service Officer at the U.S. Department of State, and senior East Asian Pacific Affairs officials in Washington D.C. to discuss concerns about the deteriorating human rights conditions in Vietnam. He also hand-delivered the petition letter to Deputy Assistant Secretary for South East Asian Affairs, Melissa Brown, and Secretary Tony Blinken.

According to Amnesty International, the government of Vietnam is responsible for numerous human rights atrocities, including arbitrary imprisonment, severe limits on freedom of expression and protest, punishing human rights defenders, torture, and various other forms of inhumane treatment of prisoners of conscience.

Earlier this year, with the leadership of Assemblyman Tri Ta, the California Legislature passed ACR 45 (Chapter 45, Statutes of 2023), recognizing May 11 as Vietnam Human Rights Day in California. This resolution calls on the federal government urgently act on the Vietnam issue.

Together, we call on the U.S. to use every diplomatic tool at its disposal to advocate for basic freedoms and human rights in Vietnam.

On July 4, my wife Judge Cheri Pham, and I had a fantastic time at the 119th annual Huntington Beach 4th of July Parade. We joined dozens of other parade participants in the largest 4th of July parade west of the Mississippi.

Thank you to the Parade Committee and the countless volunteers who made the Independence Day festivities so enjoyable for everyone. And thank you to the courageous men and women who risk their lives to uphold our liberty and democracy.

The Central Cities Navigation Center has reached another milestone.

On June 15, I attended the groundbreaking ceremony for the Central Cities Navigation Center, a partnership between Garden Grove, Fountain Valley, Westminster, and the County of Orange.

This 100-bed center will serve families and residents in need of emergency shelter and provide supportive services with mental health, education, and employment assistance.

All three cities are part of the First District and are in the Central Service Planning Area. As part of the effort to build capacity to help people experiencing homelessness, I directed the allocation of $5.3 million from the County for the construction of the navigation center, plus an annual supplement of $625,000 for the facility’s operation and management for the next ten years.

This navigation center is only one of many actions the county has taken to help cities tackle homelessness. I applaud the efforts of OC Director of Care Coordination, Doug Becht, and the three cities for coming together and working on a solution that is both humane and practical.

In late June, my Chief of Staff Van Tran attended Huntington Beach Mayor’s Constituent Town Hall.

Residents of Huntington Beach and all other Orange County Coastal cities have been experiencing elevated levels of organized crime from foreigners entering our country on tourist visas issued by the U.S. State Department. These criminals have been known to burglarize homes and businesses within the Huntington Harbor area and quickly flee the U.S.

To assist with crime prevention, the Orange County Sheriff’s Harbor Patrol performs 100 “Operation Stonegarden” (OPSG) missions annually, equating to 3,000 hours. These missions aim to discourage and prevent drug smuggling, human trafficking, and other potential acts of domestic terrorism through high-visibility patrols along Orange County’s coastline and freeways.

On July 6, Garden Grove residents enjoyed pastries and coffee while listening to a district update on County services and resources by my Chief of Staff Van Tran and my Director of Community Engagement Ofelia Garcia. Guests were also in for a treat when actress Kieu Chinh, from the Joy Luck Club, stopped by.

Van kicked off the meeting by sharing an update on the plan I spearheaded in April alongside Supervisor Doug Chaffee to establish an Office of Immigrant and Refugee Affairs (OIRA) in Orange County. The OIRA will support immigrants and refugees by serving as a resource hub. Assistance will be provided in multiple languages.

In response to an inquiry about the County’s efforts on homelessness, Van also shared information on the new development of the Central Cities Navigation Center that will serve the cities of Westminster, Garden Grove, and Fountain Valley. As part of the effort to build capacity to help people experiencing homelessness, I directed the allocation of $5.3 million from the County for the construction, plus an annual supplement of $625,000 for the facility’s operation and management for the next ten years.

Ofelia also provided updates on county resources and upcoming events.

Thank you to the Stanton University team for hosting our Community Coffee. Stanton University is a non-profit college offering Bachelor's & Master's degrees in Business Administration, Information Systems Management, Korean Culinary Arts, and Golf Management.

It was my pleasure to welcome back Chuck Mesa, the Chief of Coastal Engineering for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Los Angeles District (USACE), to our community coffee in Surfside-Seal Beach on June 15.

Chuck provided an overview of the Surfside-Sunset project and the stages of work already completed. This project is led by the USACE and executed in partnership with the State of California, the Department of Parks and Recreation (Division of Boating and Waterways), and the cities of Huntington Beach, Newport Beach, Seal Beach/Surfside Colony, and the Orange County Flood Control District.

Chuck also spoke about the funding for this project and their work on moving the timeline for the project to begin this fall. He also provided project placemats that included all the details he reviewed during the meeting.

Thank you to Seal Beach Councilman Joe Kalmick and the city’s Public Works staff for attending. And special thanks to OCFA for allowing us to use their Fire Station 48 conference room.

Earlier this month, Chief of Coastal Engineering for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Chuck Mesa, was a guest speaker at our community coffee and provided an overview of the Surfside-Sunset Sand Replenishment Project to the Sunset Beach community.

My Chief of Staff, Van Tran, provided background on the funding while OC Public Works Deputy Director, Nardy Khan, clarified the County’s role as it relates to this project.

Thank you, Sunset Beach Community Association, for providing us with the venue for this event. And special thanks to Huntington Beach Mayor Pro Tem, Gracey Van Der Mark for attending.

On May 31, the OC Health Care Agency’ Chief of Mental Health Services, Dr. Veronica Kelley was the guest speaker at our Huntington Beach community coffee and shared with residents how the County’s Behavioral Health System works.

Dr. Kelley provided an overview of the County’s child and adult mental health services, crisis services, and prevention/early intervention programs. Residents received OC Navigator cards with information on connecting with health and wellness resources.

My Chief of Staff, Van Tran, and my Director of Community Engagement, Ofelia Garcia, were on hand to answer questions regarding County resources.

Special thanks to Principal Steve Curiel for allowing us a great space to meet at the Huntington Beach Adult School.

If you would like to speak to a resource navigator, please call OC Links 24/7 at 855-625-4657. Information is available in English, Arabic, Farsi, Korean, Spanish, and Vietnamese.

The Brown Descents Car Club Association, a non-profit organization in the First District, is dedicated to helping kids and high school-aged youth find their path toward a rewarding future by hosting various fundraisers throughout Orange County.

Last month, Jack Du, my District Representative, presented a $500 check at the association’s annual Scholarship Giveaway Car Show event.

If you want to learn more about the association or volunteer at their next event, visit their website at https://browndescents.com/.

Thanks to a grant from the California Department of Aging’s Access to Technology Program, my office distributed 250 iPads, including data plans, hands-on training, and access to an online platform of virtual classes, to various senior organizations in the First District. With the help of our cities and community partners, my office worked with the OC Office on Aging to identify senior organizations that would benefit from these iPads.

The grant will further expand and leverage the County’s local senior technology initiative, the Bridging the Digital Divide Program. The initiative aims to meet the needs of older adults and adults with disabilities, who are considered vulnerable, by providing them with access to technology to help reduce isolation, increase connections, and enhance self-confidence.

For more information on the services and resources offered by the Office on Aging, you can contact them by calling 714-480-6450 or emailing areaagencyonaging@occr.ocgov.com.

On July 1, my Chief of Staff Van Tran, presented a resolution at the Meadowlark Golf Club in recognition of the 50th anniversary of Huntington Beach High School Model United Nations.

HBHS MUN was started by teacher Lynn Aase in 1973. The students of the club went on to win hundreds of distinguished delegation awards and commendations at top MUN conferences under Mr. Aase’s 31 years of leadership. Although Mr. Aase passed away in 2021, his legacy will continue under the teachers and staff who carry on his tradition of passionate teaching, coaching, and mentoring.

Congratulations to current and past students at the Huntington Beach High School Model United Nations.

Navigating government resources can be challenging— especially for those who do not speak English.

Whether you’re looking for services for older adults, referrals for mental and behavioral health, affordable housing, or help with your CalFresh application, the Orange County Community Service Center (CCSC) in the city of Westminster is a one-stop shop for all your needs. Services are offered in multiple languages.

In 2007, when I was Chief of Staff on the Board of Supervisors, the CCSC opened with only a few OC Health Care Agency employees. Now, we have included more county and community partners, so people just have to make one stop to get all the help they need.

The CCSC was recently recognized by the National Association of Counties (NACo) for a 2023 achievement award in Human Services and will soon be the model for future one-stop centers throughout Orange County.

During the board meeting on June 27, my colleagues and I were proud to recognize OC Public Libraries for being awarded two California State Association of Counties Achievement Awards for the following initiatives:

• “Pathway for Lifelong Learning: Kindergarten Readiness Initiative”
• “Going Digital: Pandemic and Beyond”

Our county libraries are vital to expanding the minds of our youth. During the pandemic, our libraries faced many new challenges. Schools closed, businesses started to shut down, and soon thereafter, we witnessed a spike in demand for broadband connectivity.

In the spring of 2020, I met with county departments to address this rising need in the community and proposed using county libraries, mobile bookmobiles, and free WiFi hotspots to help community members overcome this digital divide. As a result, Orange County’s Community Resources Department (OCCR) developed WiFi on Wheels. This mobile internet pilot program provided free access to high-speed internet in disadvantaged communities across Orange County.

Under the leadership of OCCR Director Dylan Wright and our County Librarian Julie Quillman, OCPL created enhanced virtual programming and digital content suitable for distance learning while also combatting social isolation. They also launched the kindergarten readiness initiative to prepare children for school by hosting several events throughout county libraries.

Congratulations OC Public Libraries staff!

In May, my colleagues and I joined several county employees and community leaders at Dr. Clayton Chau’s retirement celebration.

I’ve known Dr. Chau for over 20 years, working with him in various capacities. He has consistently shown to be a forward-thinking, strategic person with a deep love for those less fortunate and in need of mental or physical care.

His accomplishments in public service are numerous. In 2020, Dr. Chau began his new role as Director of the OC Health Care Agency. Thanks to his leadership, the County quickly put together testing and vaccine pods. In 2021, he was recognized as Physician of the Year by the Orange County Medical Association.

And as the former Chief Clinical and Strategy Officer of Mind OC, he played an instrumental role in helping form Be Well OC – the first transformative public-private partnership.

Dr. Chau has demonstrated integrity, excellence, compassion, and exceptional leadership throughout his career in public health.

I wish him the best in his well-deserved retirement.

Congrats to the Amarith Family on their newly opened Amarith Table restaurant in the City of Garden Grove. My Director of Community Engagement, Ofelia, stopped by and presented the owner, Adam Amarith, and his daughter, Susie, with a framed certificate to celebrate the occasion.

This family-owned eatery has a welcoming atmosphere, beautiful décor, and excellent service. They serve healthy and delicious traditional American, Asian, Italian, and Mexican dishes from scratch.

Amarith Table is the family’s third location in Orange County, with Amarith Farmhouse in Fountain Valley and Amarith Cafe in Orange. Mr. Amarith shared that he and his family are preparing to open a new location in Cypress in the next few weeks, with two more locations coming online after that.

I am so proud to have this small business in the First District and am thankful for their contributions to the economic vitality of Orange County.

In celebration of National Fried Chicken Day on July 6, my Policy Advisor Hung Le stopped by KoKo Chicken BBQ in Garden Grove for lunch.

Their fried chicken is served in the original style with no sauce or dip required. This local small business offers quick and friendly service. They also have a location in La Palma and Buena Park.

9732 Garden Grove Blvd # 2, Garden Grove, CA 92844

Orange County Public Libraries’ “Lunch at the Library” provides children and teens 18 and under with free summer meals, reading programs, and other activities supporting learning, health, and wellness. No registration is required. Meals are distributed on a first-come, first-served basis.

Click here for a complete list of locations and dates.

Looking to adopt a furry friend?

OC Animal Care is hosting a program all summer long that features assistance in pet adoption and taking advantage of community resources. Even if you’re not looking to adopt, this is a great way to get involved in your community.

With so much offered, there’s something for everyone:

 https://www.ocpetinfo.com/AllSummerLong

Lost pets currently at OC Animal Care shelter:

https://petadoption.ocpetinfo.com/LostFound/#/home

Reported found pets not at OC Animal Care: https://petadoption.ocpetinfo.com/foundocac/#/home

OC Parks is hosting the Summer Concert Series and the Sunset Cinema Series once again this summer. Come and enjoy live music and movie screenings under the summer sky at county regional parks with friends and family.

Entrance to all parks and parking is free. Food trucks will be serving at each location and a beer and wine garden will be available to those 21 and over.

Click here for more information.

Have plans to leave town for a few days or weeks? Wouldn't you feel better if someone was checking your home for you?

The Orange County Sheriff’s Department offers vacation checks for residents away from their homes for an extended time. This service is free of charge. To schedule a vacation check, contact the Sheriff's Department and provide your address and the dates you will be away.

For additional information or to schedule a vacation check, please call the Orange County Sheriff's Department at 714-647-7000.

Renovating your backyard or starting your own garden? The OC Waste & Recycling Department offers residents free compost and mulch throughout the year.

Click here for locations and times to pick up compost or mulch.