Senate honors outgoing senators with floor tributes

The California State Senate opened its floor session with a series of tributes recognizing members who are leaving the chamber this year. Senators and guests recounted years of constituent work and legislative achievements for Shannon Grove, Marie Alvarado Gill, Tom Umberg, Aisha Wahab and Mike McGuire.

Senator Laird lauded Shannon Grove’s district work on energy and agriculture and recalled her role in human‑trafficking legislation, saying, "She has said, and I quote, 'I represent the largest oil producing county in the state which produces 70% of oil produced in California.'" Grove responded on the floor with a personal reflection on constituent service, her staff and bipartisan collaborations.

Members praised Marie Alvarado Gill for her advocacy on education choice and for bringing personal experience from foster care to policymaking. In remarks honoring Tom Umberg, colleagues highlighted his military service and long record on judiciary legislation and programs such as Project Homekey. Senators described Aisha Wahab as a persistent advocate for housing, foster youth and renters, and Mike McGuire was recognized for leadership during wildfires and for building bipartisan housing packages.

The tributes combined personal anecdotes, policy highlights and staff acknowledgements; each departing member took a turn to thank colleagues and reflect on their time in office. The chamber recessed after the remarks and moved into the legislative calendar for concurrence votes and third‑reading measures.