Ash Kalra talks with his supporters at an election night gathering in San Jose, Calif., Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2016. (Patrick Tehan/Bay Area News Group)

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Diya TV) — California State Assemblyman Ash Kalra has been named chair of the Assembly Committee on Aging & Long-Term Care by Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon.

Assemblywoman Cheryl Brown served as the committee’s previous chair.

It’s a rather unusual occurrence for a freshman assembly member to be appointed as a committee chair. Kalra is just one of four newly elected legislators in the assembly to be appointed chair of a standing committee, and one of only two newly elected who have no previous assembly service history to attain the rank.

Kalra’s committee’s primary focus includes agencies on aging consisting of: California Department of Aging, long-term supports and services, Older Americans Act, Older Californians Act, senior citizen advocacy activities, the California Senior Legislature, services for seniors in residential and day settings and the California Commission on Aging.

“I am truly grateful to the Speaker for naming me as Chair of the Committee on Aging and Long-Term Care,” Kalra said in a statement. “Now, it is more important than ever for those of us in leadership in California to protect our seniors and ensure they continue to have ever-increasing access to quality healthcare and long-term care by protecting Social Security and Medicare while expanding additional programs for continuing care.”

“I look forward to being a strong advocate for the aging and ensure our Committee is effectively positioned to protect the interests of California seniors,” he added.

Diya TV was in Sacramento when Kalra was sworn-in earlier this month, becoming the first Indian-American ever to serve in the California legislature. Watch an excerpt of our coverage below: