News

San Francisco Says Final Goodbye to Mayor Ed Lee

Published

8 years ago

December 20, 2017

Clear blue skies and rays of sunshine poured down on San Francisco City Hall last Sunday, December 17 as family, friends, elected officials, and the city of San Francisco gathered to say their final goodbye to Mayor Edwin Mah Lee.

Dozens of media trucks surrounded the Civic Center Plaza between City Hall, the Asian Art Museum and the San Francisco Public Library. A super-sized American flag hung in mid air attached to the ladders of two fire trucks across from the front steps of City Hall, a final salute to the city’s first Asian-American mayor, a non-politician, a man among the people. A floral tribute at the steps of City Hall featured hundreds of bouquets, a few photos and handwritten expressions from everyday people.

An over flow of people were seated in adjacent rooms surrounding the Rotunda with a video feed. Those unable to enter City Hall were directed across the plaza to view the streaming video at the San Francisco Public Library and the Asian Art Museum. Celebrities, sports figures and other VIPs gathered to support one another as they continued to process the shock and grief around Lee’s untimely death.

During the services, Acting Mayor London Breed recalled a trip to China with Lee and the recognition he received was as if he were royalty.

“In China he was like a superstar or Beyonce’ with a mustache,” she said.

Mayor Lee’s daughters Tania Lee and Brianna Lee shared his fatherly side and spoke of the bad delivery of funny jokes and his bad jokes and or father’s memorial service.

“We will carry his memory with us for the rest of our lives and we hope that his spirit of selflessness, humor and dedication will continue on through all of us,” they noted.

Glide Ensemble provided the interlude and remarks were made by U.S. Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, Senator Dianne Feinstein, Lieutenant Governor Gavin Newsom, the Honorable Willie Brown, Jr.

A postlude was provided by Preston Turner and Pure Ecstacy who sang “He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands.” A version of Hammer’s “Too Legit to Quit” customized and dedicated to Mayor Lee was also played within a video presentation.

“He was an extraordinary man, a man of great character,” said Newsom.

“He was wonderful to with and I will really miss him,” said City Administrator Naomi Kelly.

Supervisor Malia Cohen expressed her initial sadness stating, “The City of Saint Francisco has lost a compassionate leader. I am heartbroken to lose a good friend. We will miss him dearly and will keep Anita and his family in our prayers.”

City Attorney Jeff Adachi and San Francisco Airport commissioner Linda Crayton also gave comments earlier in the week on just what an upstanding person Lee was.

As veteran media makers, Belva Davis and her husband Bill Moore exited the home going celebration; they paused and reflected on Lee’s service.

“Mayor Lee was the type of person you really couldn’t say anything bad about. He was such a kind person,” said Davis.

Anti-violence advocate, Mattie Scott of Healing 4 Our Families and Our Nation, said the mayor was a great man and always made time for meetings.

“Mayor Lee had a history of making progress in this city,” she said. Carletta Jackson-Lane, executive director of the Sojourner Truth Foster Agency considered Lee to be a compassionate person that cared about the homeless and mentally ill populations. “He was a good man that pushed for change.”

Gavin Newsom & Ed Lee

Lee was city administrator when he was appointed to serve the remainder of former Mayor Gavin Newsom’s term in 2011. Later that year, he was elected to the position, and he was re-elected in 2015. A wave of new jobs and money forever changed the trajectory of San Francisco as the multi cultural city and gave way to escalating rent and mortgage prices that left many displaced and homeless. Yet Lee fought to add affordable housing and programs to balance the landscape.

Former president of the Black Firefighters Association, Bob Demmons had similar sentiments. “Ed was a fighter in the beginning. He was a civil rights attorney when we fought for equality before he even became mayor,” he said.

Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf, former Oakland Mayor Jean Quan, musician will.i.am, Warriors President Rick Welts, Warriors owner Joe Lacob, San Francisco Giants President Larry Baer, and Giants All-Star Barry Bonds were among the attendees.

Lee’s casket was not present, as it was laid in state in the rotunda of City Hall on Friday. San Francisco Chief of Protocol Charlotte Mailliard Shultz and Businessman Mark Benioff were also in attendance.

President of the San Francisco African American Chamber of Commerce, Fred Jordan planned to host a meeting with Mayor Lee and the president of Uzbekistan.

“I am grieved to hear about the passing of Mayor Lee, he was a friend and fellow civil rights fighter,” he said.

While Lee advocated for all cultures in the city, he was very proud to represent the Asian Community, advocate for Chinatown and relish in the annual Chinese New Year Parade.

Lee was born in 1952 in Seattle, Washington, the son of immigrants from the Taishan, Guangdong Province, China.His father fought in the Korean War, worked as a cook, and managed a restaurant in Seattle while his mother worked as a seamstress and waitress. Lee had five siblings and graduated summa cum laude in 1974 from Bowdoin College in Maine. He then graduated from the University of California, Berkeley, School of Law in 1978.

Prior to his employment with the city and county of San Francisco, Lee was the managing attorney for the San Francisco Asian Law Caucus, where he worked from 1979 to 1989. From 1989 to 1991, Lee worked as a whistleblower ordinance investigator and the Deputy Director of Employment Relations in San Francisco. Lee later worked from 1991 until 1996 as the director of the Human Rights Commission, serving in that capacity under Mayors Agnos, Frank Jordan and Willie Brown. Brown appointed him director of city purchasing, where, among other responsibilities, he ran the city’s first Minority/Women-Owned Business Enterprise program.

Afterwards, Lee became director of the City Purchasing Department in 1996 until his appointment to city administrator in 2000.

In 2000, he was appointed director of public works for the city, and in 2005 was appointed by Mayor Newsom to a five-year term as city administrator, to which he was reappointed in 2010. As city administrator, Lee oversaw the reduction of city government and implemented the city’s first ever ten-year capital plan.

Lee’s family has established a charitable fund in his name at the San Francisco Foundation to support nonprofits and social causes that were important to him. Contributions should be made payable to “The S.F. Foundation: Edwin M. Lee Community Fund,” and mailed to the foundation at 1 Embarcadero Center, Suite 1400, San Francisco, CA 94111.

Oakland Post

Posts by Oakland Post

Related Topics:Mayor Ed Lee Obituary San Francisco

Up Next

Political Leaders Engineered State Control of Oakland Public Schools

Don't Miss

McClymonds High School Football Team Wins Second Consecutive State Championship

Oakland Post

Click to comment

Alameda County

Seth Curry Makes Impressive Debut with the Golden State Warriors

Seth looked comfortable in his new uniform, seamlessly fitting into the Warriors’ offensive and defensive system. He finished the night with an impressive 14 points, becoming one of the team’s top scorers for the game. Seth’s points came in a variety of ways – floaters, spot-up three-pointers, mid-range jumpers, and a handful of aggressive drives that kept the Oklahoma City Thunder defense on its heels.

Published

3 days ago

December 4, 2025

Oakland Post

Seth Curry is a point guard on the GSW team.Photo courtesy of the Golden State Warriors.

By Y’Anad Burrell

Tuesday night was anything but ordinary for fans in San Francisco as Seth Curry made his highly anticipated debut as a new member of the Golden State Warriors. Seth didn’t disappoint, delivering a performance that not only showcased his scoring ability but also demonstrated his added value to the team.

At 35, the 12-year NBA veteran on Monday signed a contract to play with the Warriors for the rest of the season.

One of the most memorable moments of the evening came before Seth even scored his first points. As he checked into the game, the Chase Center erupted into applause, with fans rising to their feet to give the newest Warrior a standing ovation.

The crowd’s reaction was a testament not only to Seth’s reputation as a sharpshooter but also to the excitement he brings to the Warriors. It was clear that fans quickly embraced Seth as one of their own, eager to see what he could bring to the team’s championship aspirations.

Warriors’ superstar Steph Curry – Seth’s brother – did not play due to an injury. One could only imagine what it would be like if the Curry brothers were on the court together. Magic in the making.

Seth’s debut proved to be a turning point for the Warriors. Not only did he contribute on the scoreboard, but he also brought a sense of confidence and composure to the floor.

While their loss last night, OKC 124 – GSW 112, Seth’s impact was a game-changer and there’s more yet to come. Beyond statistics, it was clear that Seth’s presence elevated the team’s performance, giving the Warriors a new force as they look to make a deep playoff run.

Oakland Post

Posts by Oakland Post

#NNPA BlackPress

LIHEAP Funds Released After Weeks of Delay as States and the District Rush to Protect Households from the Cold

BLACKPRESSUSA NEWSWIRE — The federal government has released $3.6 billion in home heating assistance after a delay that left states preparing for the start of winter without the program’s annual funding.

Published

6 days ago

December 1, 2025

Stacy M. Brown

By Stacy M. Brown
Black Press USA Senior National Correspondent

The federal government has released $3.6 billion in home heating assistance after a delay that left states preparing for the start of winter without the program’s annual funding. The Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program, known as LIHEAP, helps eligible households pay heating and cooling bills. The release follows a shutdown that stretched 43 days and pushed agencies across the country to warn families of possible disruptions.

State officials in Minnesota, Kansas, New York, and Pennsylvania had already issued alerts that the delay could slow the processing of applications or force families to wait until December for help. In Pennsylvania, more than 300,000 households depend on the program each year. Minnesota officials noted that older adults, young children, and people with disabilities face the highest risk as temperatures fall.

The delay also raised concerns among advocates who track household debt tied to rising utility costs. National Energy Assistance Directors Association Executive Director Mark Wolfe said the funds were “essential and long overdue” and added that high arrearages and increased energy prices have strained families seeking help.

Some states faced additional pressure when other services were affected by the shutdown. According to data reviewed by national energy advocates, roughly 68 percent of LIHEAP households also receive nutrition assistance, and the freeze in multiple programs increased the financial burden on low-income residents. Wolfe said families were placed in “an even more precarious situation than usual” as the shutdown stretched into November.

In Maryland, lawmakers urged the Trump administration to release funds after the state recorded its first cold-related death of the season. The Maryland Department of Health reported that a man in his 30s was found outdoors in Frederick County when temperatures dropped. Last winter, the state documented 75 cold-related deaths, the highest number in five years. Rep Kweisi Mfume joined more than 100 House members calling for immediate federal action and said LIHEAP “is not a luxury” for the 100,000 Maryland households that rely on it. He added that seniors and veterans would be placed at risk if the program remained stalled.

Maryland Gov. Wes Moore used $10.1 million in state funds to keep benefits moving, but noted that states cannot routinely replace federal dollars. His administration said families that rely on medical equipment requiring electricity are particularly vulnerable.

The District of Columbia has already mapped out its FY26 LIHEAP structure in documents filed with the federal government. The District’s plan shows that heating assistance, cooling assistance, weatherization, and year-round crisis assistance operate from October 1 through September 30. The District allocates 50 percent of its LIHEAP funds to heating assistance, 10 percent to cooling, 13 percent to year-round crisis assistance, 15 percent to weatherization, and 10 percent to administrative costs. Two percent is used for services that help residents reduce energy needs, including education on reading utility bills and identifying energy waste.

The District’s plan lists a minimum LIHEAP benefit of $200 and a maximum of $1,800 for both heating and cooling assistance. Crisis benefits are provided separately and may reach up to $500 when needed to resolve an emergency. The plan states that a household is considered in crisis if it has been disconnected from energy service, if heating oil is at 5 percent or less of capacity, or if the household has at least $200 owed after the regular benefit is applied.

The District’s filing notes that LIHEAP staff conduct outreach through community meetings, senior housing sites, Advisory Neighborhood Commissions, social media, posters, and mass mailings. The plan confirms that LIHEAP applicants can apply in person, by mail, by email, or through a mobile-friendly online application and that physically disabled residents may request in-home visits.

As agencies nationwide begin distributing the newly released funds, states continue working through large volumes of applications. Wolfe said LIHEAP administrators “have been notified that the award letters have gone out and the states can begin to draw down the funds.”

Stacy M. Brown

Posts by Stacy M. Brown

#NNPA BlackPress

Seven Steps to Help Your Child Build Meaningful Connections

BLACKPRESSUSA NEWSWIRE — Swinging side by side with a friend on the playground. Sharing chalk over bright, colorful sidewalk drawings. Hiding behind a tree during a spirited game of hide-and-seek. These simple moments between children may seem small, but they matter more than we think

Published

6 days ago

December 1, 2025

Oakland Post

By Niyoka McCoy, Ed.D., Chief Learning Officer, Stride/K12

Swinging side by side with a friend on the playground. Sharing chalk over bright, colorful sidewalk drawings. Hiding behind a tree during a spirited game of hide-and-seek. These simple moments between children may seem small, but they matter more than we think: They lay the foundation for some of life’s most important skills.

Through everyday play, young children begin learning essential social and emotional skills like sharing, resolving conflicts, showing empathy, and managing their emotions. These social skills help shape emotional growth and set kids up for long-term success. Socialization in early childhood isn’t just a “nice-to-have”—it’s essential for development.

Yet today, many young children who haven’t yet started school aren’t getting enough consistent, meaningful interaction with peers. Research shows that there’s a decline in active free play and peer socialization when compared to previous generations.

There are many reasons for this. Children who are home with a parent during the day may spend most of their time with adults, limiting opportunities for peer play. Those in daycare or preschool may have restricted free play, and large classrooms can reduce supervision and social coaching. Some children live in rural areas, are homebound due to illness, have full schedules, or rely on screens to fill their playtime. And for some families, finding other families with young children to connect with isn’t easy.

While these challenges can feel significant, opportunities for connection still exist in every community. Families can take simple steps to help children build friendships, create a sense of belonging, and strengthen social skills. Here are some ideas to get started:

Storytime sessions at libraries or local bookstores
Community offerings such as parent-child workshops, art, music, gymnastics, swimming, or sports programs
Weekly events at children’s museums, which may include art projects, music workshops, or science experiments
Outdoor exploration, where kids can play with peers
Local parenting groups that organize playdates and group activities
Volunteer opportunities where children can participate, such as pet adoption events or packing meals at a food bank
Classes for kids at local businesses, including hardware, grocery, or craft stores

Some of these community activities are free or low-cost and give kids the chance to build friendships and practice social skills. Parents can also model positive social behavior by interacting with other parents and encouraging their children to play with their peers.

These may seem like small moments of connection, but they can have a powerful impact. Every time your child shares a toy, plays make-believe with peers, or races a friend down the slide, they’re not just playing—they’re learning the skills that build confidence, empathy, and lasting friendships. And it’s good for you, too. Creating intentional opportunities for play also helps you strengthen your own network of parents who can support one another as your children grow together.