Anna Caballero — Likely the intended reference behind the garbled 'Abilino' mention is uncertain; no clear member identification can be made from the transcript.
Anna Caballero — The transcript says Senator Umberg, but the expected member list includes Senator Umberg; however, the text here names Umberg, which is likely a reference to Senator Thomas Umberg.
Jerry McNerney — No, not mentioned; the transcript says Senator Schiff, which does not match an expected member in this context. Kept as written because identification is uncertain.
Melissa Hurtado — No, not mentioned; the transcript says Senator Padilla, which does not match an expected member in this context. Kept as written because identification is uncertain.
Valor — Valor is identified as the organization making the request at the public hearing.
Ms. Soltis — The chair offers repeated praise to Ms. Soltis, thanking her for transforming her personal pain into passion and advocacy for others in similar circumstances.
Mr. Baradino — The speaker paraphrases and reinforces Mr. Baradino’s view that the effort is long overdue, saying it is 'about time,' and adds that everyone in California is on board with that sentiment.
Carl DeMaio — Don Wagner, Orange County Supervisor for the Third District, spoke in support of the veterans cemetery planned for Gypsum Canyon. He explained that the site is in his district, described years of delay caused by politics, and said the current Board of Supervisors stepped in to deliver the cemetery veterans deserve. He noted that the county dedicated 200 acres of county-owned land and allocated $20 million for the project, with the funding ready to transfer. He also referenced meetings in Sacramento with state officials and ongoing county work with decision makers and the VA to keep the project moving forward, even after the federal shutdown.
Carl DeMaio — The transcript appears to say 'the Assembly Member's bill,' but the specific member is unclear; this is likely a transcription error or a vague reference to legislation.
Tim Deutsch — Tim Deutsch is identified as the general manager and representative of the Orange County Cemetery District in connection with the county land dedication.
Tim Deutsch — Introduced as the Orange County Cemetery District General Manager; he begins his testimony.
Tim Deutsch — Miller says he is one of the staff members Tim referred to.
Tim Deutsch — Tim Deutsch is asked to explain the urgency and timeline for the project, and he responds by beginning to address the question, noting that there is one access point and discussing access and infrastructure sharing.
Matt Miller — Identified as the chief real estate officer of Orange County.
Matt Miller — Introduced as the chief real estate officer for the County of Orange; he begins his remarks.
Matt Miller — Begins explaining pads and grading using a house analogy.
Matt Miller — The speaker reiterates Matt Miller's analogy, using it to frame the discussion about the project and neighborliness.
Cecilia Aguiar-Curry — Cecilia Aguiar-Curry is referenced twice in close succession as part of a supportive acknowledgment that she, along with others, has worked on the project for more than a decade and is associated with backing for the effort.
Orange County Memorial Park Committee — Deutsch thanks the veterans from the committee for their grassroots efforts.
Laurie Davies — The transcript says Supervisor Wagner; likely refers to Supervisor Don Wagner, who is not in the expected member list.
Laurie Davies — Supervisor Wagner was referenced twice in support of the same idea that the county is ready and willing to proceed, reinforcing the point that the county is prepared to move forward.
Nick — Referenced as having emphasized the state veterans' needs earlier.
Mr. Deutsch — Referenced as having previously described the project and its benefits.
Lisa Calderon — Addressed by the speaker while asking for clarification.
Matt — Asked to clarify what is meant by pads and grading.
Jason Kenney — Jason Kenney of the California Department of General Services is introduced as the first witness, and the committee indicates it will begin by directing questions to him, including questions about the county, DGS, and CalVet relationship.
Roberto Herrera — Introduced as the deputy director of Veterans Services at the Department of Veterans Affairs.
Roberto Herrera — Roberto Herrera is introduced to speak next, though his title is corrected from 'Under Secretary' to 'Deputy Secretary' in the exchange.
Roberto Herrera — Herrera begins his remarks, identifies himself as Deputy Secretary of Veterans Services at the California Department of Veterans Affairs, and addresses the chair and Assembly Member Valencia.
Roberto Herrera — Herrera states his title and thanks the chair for leadership and advocacy for the Southern California veterans cemetery and related veteran services.
Roberto Herrera — The speaker refers back to Herrera's earlier remarks while answering how costs can be reduced.
Roberto Herrera — Referenced as the person to address the legislative-help question.
Roberto Herrera — Deferred to for discussion of possible legislative help.
John Spangler — John Spangler is mentioned as a long-time CalVet participant who has been there from the beginning and previously served as a consultant for the Veterans Affairs Committee in 2013.
Luz Rivas — In a continuous exchange, the speaker invites the other guest to speak while addressing the chair respectfully as 'Madam Chair'/'Chair.' The chair then asks for questions, and the Assembly Member thanks the chair for her leadership and advocacy.
Jason — Referenced as having described county-related steps and timing.
Jason — Questioned about whether he said roads and utilities must be in place before work can begin; he clarifies that this was only an assumption in the study.
Jason — Referenced as having mentioned the study and its assumptions.
Jason — Referenced again in connection with the study.
Jason — Asked to repeat the first-phase burial/interment numbers.
Tim — Requested to come up from the cemetery side to clarify the process.
Undersecretary Boylan — The speakers describe meeting on site with Undersecretary Boylan and staff to discuss the grading issue, including reducing the grading scope and adopting a revised phased approach for the project.
David Brambella — Identifies himself as State Commander for the American Legion and begins public comment.
David Lopez — Identifies himself as a retired law enforcement officer and retired high school teacher; expresses disappointment with the hearing.
Bobby McDonnell — Identifies himself as a third district representative for Don Wagner's office and a member of Valor and the Buffalo Soldier Group.
Maggy Krell — Likely the intended reference in the garbled 'Senator Archelette' phrase is unclear; no confident member identification can be made from the transcript alone.
Natalie Rubikava — Identifies herself as a City of Anaheim council member and supports the cemetery project.
Tori Richards — Tori Richards, communications director for Orange County Supervisor Janet Nguyen, relays the supervisor’s gratitude and support for the project. She emphasizes that Orange County has 84,000 veterans who deserve a dignified resting place, including many elderly Vietnam War veterans who are passing away quickly, making the issue time-sensitive.
Melinda Liu — Melinda Liu, an Irvine City Council member, testified in support of the project and stressed the need to move quickly. She thanked leadership at the state, county, and city levels for their innovation and support, and noted that Orange County is home to 130,000 veterans—the largest veteran population in California—arguing that veterans deserve better.
Brian Hammond — Brian Hammond, Southern California Director of Vietnam Veterans of America, was introduced and then testified in support of beginning construction immediately, arguing that starting now would maximize cost savings and avoid political delay.