The Christmas tree destined for the U.S. Capitol made a pit stop in Sacramento, on its way to Washington D.C. The People’s Tree, nicknamed Sugar Bear, is an 84-foot, white fir grown near Eureka in the Six Rivers National Forest. Sugar Bear is the state's 6th national tree

“We are proud to join with our tribal and federal partners to showcase the beauty of Northern California” Senator Mike McGuire. Every year since 1970, federal officials have designated a tree from one of the United States’ national forests to be showcased during the holiday season as the U.S. Capitol Christmas tree.

Senator McGuire welcomes Santa Claus to the stage

Students from Del Norte and Humboldt County schools were on hand to present handmade ornaments to the U.S. Forestry Service. They helped coordinate the drive to make hundreds of ornaments for "The People's Tree" and are joined on stage by Senator McGuire, Santa Claus, Smokey the Bear, and pollution-fighting Forest Service mascot, Woodsy Owl.

The People’s Tree began its journey in Northern California and will make its way to Southern California, the South, Midwest, and eventually the nation’s Capitol. A map of the 4,000-mile journey is displayed on the back end of the truck.

The tree is scheduled to arrive at the U.S. Capitol on November 19. For those interested in following the Christmas tree's journey to Washington D.C., you can visit the live tree tracker site.

A longtime resident of Long Beach, Senator Betty Karnette represented SD 27 in the CA Senate (1996-2004) and AD 54 in the Assembly. Before running for office, Karnette spent 31 years as a school teacher in the Los Angeles Unified School District.

Senator Tom Umberg shares memories of the years he worked with Senator Karnette when both served in the Assembly. 

This photo of the CA Senate floor, taken just two days after the September 11, 2001 attack on the United States, reflects the mood of the country at the time -- somber, yet buoyed by feelings of patriotism and national pride.

Senator Betty Karnette was well known for her commitment to public policy and improving her community. She was also known for her Southern accent, warmth, and infectious laugh.

Senator Melissa Melendez adjourned the September 1, 2021 session in honor of Marine Corps Cpl. Hunter Lopez. Hunter Lopez was just 22 years old when he was killed in action in Afghanistan. He joined the Marines in 2017 and aspired to become a Riverside Sherriff in his hometown of Riverside, California.
 

Roseville native, Marine Corps Sgt. Nicole Gee was honored on the Senate floor by Senator Jim Nielsen. She graduated from high school in 2016 and joined the Marines a year later. Sgt. Gee was among those killed in the attack against Americans and Afghans at Hamid Karzai International Airport.

Senator Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh adjourned in memory of Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Dylan R. Merola. He was from Rancho Cucamonga and hoped to study engineering after his military service. Dylan was only 20 years old when he, along with 12 other US Service members were killed in the Kabul airport attack.

The northern Mexican state of Nuevo Leon recently elected Dr. Samuel Garcia. At 33 years old, Governor-elect Garcia is the youngest governor to be elected in Nuevo Leon's history. Garcia and his wife, Mariana Rodriguez, were recognized on the Senate floor by Senator Ben Hueso.

Senator Ben Hueso

Marina del Pilar Ávila Olmeda is a Mexican lawyer and politician who was recently elected the first woman governor of Baja California, Mexico. Governor-elect Olmeda was introduced on the Senate floor during her visit to Sacramento. Before her election, she served as the mayor of Mexicali, Baja Calfornia's capital.

Senate pro Tempore Toni Atkins meets with Marina del Pilar Ávila, Governor-elect of Baja California, Mexico

The California Senate Fellows program was established in 1973 to provide participants with insight into the legislative process. The fellowship program's goals include exposing people with diverse life experiences and backgrounds to the legislative process and providing research and other professional staff assistance to the Senate. The program is jointly sponsored by the Senate and the Center for California Studies at California State University, Sacramento (Sacramento State). This year's Fellows had a unique experience because of the Covid-19 pandemic and statewide lock-down.They were honored from the Gallery of the Senate chamber in August.

Kapri Walker is from San Diego, CA and graduated from San Diego State University with a BA in Criminal Justice. Kapri was placed in the Senate Public Safety Committee.

Von Thompson graduated from San Diego State University with a BA in Political Science. Von is from Sacramento, CA and was placed in Senator Melissa Hurtado's office.

Nathaniel Thompson was placed in Senator Scott Wilk's office. Nathaniel graduated from Biola University with a BA in Political Science and is from Gold River, CA.

Davon Thomas is from Sacramento, CA and was placed in Senator Richard Pan's office. Davon graduated from UC Santa Cruz with a BA in History.

De'Anna Miller graduated from UC Santa Cruz with a BA in Psychology. De'Anna is from Sacramento, CA and was placed in Senator Anna Caballero's office.

Alessandra Magnasco is from Stockton, CA and graduated from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration. Alessandra was placed in Senator Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh's office.

Elmer Lizardi was placed in Senator Ben Hueso's office. Elmer graduated from UCLA with a BA in Political Science and is from Sacramento, CA.

Jodi Lieberman graduated from UCLA with a BA in Economics and was placed in Senator Patricia Bates' office. Jodi is from Irvine, CA.

Alyssa Lee graduated from Sacramento State University with a BA in Political Science and Communication Studies. Alyssa is from Fairfield, CA and was placed in Senator Dave Min's office.

Brixton Layne, from Sanger, CA was placed in Senator Brian Jones' office. Brixton graduated from UC Davis with a BA in International Relations.

Rubie Gonzalez-Parra graduated from Humboldt State University with a BA in Political Science. Rubie is from Pico Rivera, CA and was placed in Senator Monique Limón's office.

Adriana Gómez is from Watsonville, CA and graduated from UC Santa Barbara with a BA in Political Science. Adriana was placed in Senator Mike McGuire's office.

Nune Garipian graduated from Yale University with a BA in Political Science. Nune is from Glendale, CA and was placed in Senator Scott Wiener's office.

Katie Camerer was placed in the Senate Republican Policy Office. Katie is from Lincoln, CA and graduated from William Jessup University with a BA in Public Policy.

Lesley Brizuela graduated from UC Davis with a BA in Political Science and Public Service. Lesley is from Hayward, CA and was placed in Senator John Laird's office.

Symphoni Barbee was placed in Senator NancySkinner's office. Symphoni is from Sacramento, CA and graduated from Sonoma State University with a BA in Political Science.

Jaleel Baker graduated from Howard University with a BA in Economics and Political Science. Jaleel is from Sacramento, CA. Jaleel was placed in Governance and Finance Committee.

David Aguilar III is from San Diego, CA and graduated from UC San Diego with a BA in Political Science and Sociology. Davd was placed in Senator Tom Umberg's office.

Senator Andreas Borgeas

Senator Steve Glazer announced the recent death of former Senator Richard Rainey who served California's 7th Senate District. Senator Glazer currently represents the same district.

Senator Steven Bradford presiding over the Senate

Senator Melissa Hurtado

Senator Anthony Portantino

Senate President pro Tem Toni Atkins and Senator Brian Jones

Senators Josh Newman and Monique Limón

For the first time since March of 2020, members of the Senate are seated at their own desks.

Although California's stay-at-home order has been lifted and pandemic restrictions eased, the California Senate continues to encourage social distance and requires face masks at all times.  

Senator Monique Limón

Senators Brian Jones, Susan Eggman, and Brian Dahle confer during Senate session

Senators Mike McGuire and Bill Dodd

Senators Ben Allen and Bob Wieckowski

Senator Patricia Bates

Senator Ben Allen

Senator Anna Caballero

Senator Andreas Borgeas

Senator Josh Becker

Senator Brian Dahle

Senator Susan Eggman

Senate President pro Tempore, Toni Atkins

Senator John Laird

Senator Lena Gonzalez

Senator Nancy Skinner

Senator Josh Newman

Senator Connie Leyva

Senator Steven Bradford stands in support of a resolution recognizing June 19th as a day for Californians to honor and reflect on the important role African Americans have played in American history. Juneteenth, also known as “Juneteenth Independence Day,” “Emancipation Day,” “Emancipation Celebration,” and “Freedom Day,” is the oldest African American holiday observance in the USA.

Senator María Elena Durazo

Senator Dave Min

Senator Susan Rubio

Senator Monique Limón

Senator Ben Hueso

Senator Scott Wiener

Senator Bob Hertzberg presents a resolution memorializing the achievements of Sugihara Chiune in saving thousands of Jewish lives during WWII. Sugihara was a Japanese diplomat who risked his job and the lives of his family to help thousands of Jews flee Europe by issuing transit visas to them so they could travel through Japanese territory.

Senator Richard Pan speaks in support of a resolution recognizing the week of May 9, 2021, to May 15, 2021 as Hospital Week, and recognizes the life-saving contributions of hospitals in this state during the unprecedented coronavirus pandemic. Senator Pan is a pediatrician in the Sacramento area. 

Senate President pro Tem Toni Atkins adjourned the Senate in memory of Navy veteran Clayton Schenkelberg, who, at age 103, was believed to be the oldest Pearl Harbor survivor. Mr. Schenkelberg was born October 17, 1917 and died April 14, 2021

Senator Brian Jones

Senate Minority Leader Scott Wilk

Senator Bob Archuleta

Senator Lena Gonzalez

Senator Shannon Grove

Senator Robert Hertzberg adjourns the Senate in honor of former Vice President, Walter "Fritz" Mondale who died on April 19, 2021. Mondale served as the 42nd vice president of the United States from 1977 to 1981 under President Jimmy Carter.  

Senator Sydney Kamlager

Senator Jim Nielsen, considered the "Dean of the Senate" because of his lengthy service to the Legislature, served alongside Senator James Mills in the 1970s and early 1980s and shared his recollections of the former pro Tem.  

Senator Mike McGuire

Senator Henry Stern

Senator John Laird

Senator Dave Cortese

Senator Melissa Melendez

Senator Richard Pan, chair of the California Asian & Pacific Islander Legislative Caucus opens the Senate with a prayer calling for support and unity against the rising tide of violence facing Asian-American and Pacific Islander communities.

Senator Josh Newman

Senator Sydney Kamlager

Senator Richard Roth

Senator Steve Glazer

Senator Bill Dodd

Senator Tom Umberg

Senator Brian Jones

Senator Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh

Senator Bob Wieckowski

Senator Ben Hueso

Senators Atkins, Gonzalez, Durazo, Rubio, Skinner, Leyva, Bates, Kamlager, Caballero, and Eggman wore beaded "dissent collars" in honor and remembrance of the legacy of Ruth Bader Ginsburg.

Senators Gonzalez and Leyva greet each other with an "elbow bump"

Senator Bill Dodd

Senator Ben Allen

Mindful of social distancing protocol, Senators Bob Archuleta and Susan Rubio greet each other with an "elbow bump" on the Senate floor.

Senator Josh Becker leads the Senate in prayer at the start of the session.

Senators Josh Newman and Tom Umberg

Senate President pro Tem Toni Atkins confers with Senate Minority Leader Scott Wilk at the start of Senate session

Senator Steven Bradford introduces a measure recognizing February 2021 as Black History Month. SCR 10 urges citizens to join in celebrating the accomplishments of African Americans during Black History Month and encourages the people of California to recognize the many talents, achievements, and contributions of African Americans.

Senator Shannon Grove

Senator Scott Wiener confers with Senator Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh

Senator Lena Gonzalez

Senator Connie Leyva

Senator Melissa Melendez

Senator María Elena Durazo

Senators Josh Newman and Richard Roth

Senator Dave Cortese

Senator Tom Umberg

Senator Ben Hueso

Senator Brian Jones

Senator Josh Newman

Senator Connie Leyva

Senate Majority Leader Robert Hertzberg

Senator Susan Eggman

Senate Minority Leader Shannon Grove

Senator Richard Pan speaks on behalf of the Asian-Pacific Island caucus in recognition of Dr. King's contributions to the civil rights movement.  

Senator Scott Wilk 

Senator Dave Cortese

Senators John Laird and Dave Min greet each other with an elbow bump before the start of session

Senate President pro Tem Toni Atkins welcomes members back to the Senate for the start of the new year.  

Senators Jim Nielsen, Shannon Grove and Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh

Senator Scott Wiener

Senators Mike McGuire and Dave Min

Senators Bill Dodd and Bob Wieckowski

Senator Jim Nielsen

Senator Susan Eggman

Senators Anthony Portantino and Ben Allen

Senators Richard Pan, Nancy Skinner and John Laird

Senators Anna Caballero and Richard Roth

Senators Josh Becker and Susan Eggman

In the abbreviated ceremony, 17 senators were sworn into office, including new and re-elected members; three others will be sworn in at a later time. In compliance with county health directives, family members and guests were not permitted on the Senate floor.

Seats in the Senate Gallery are marked off to enforce social distancing during the Covid-19 pandemic. 

Senator Mike McGuire

Senator Bob Archuleta