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

Senator Scott Wiener and Senator Henry Stern confer during the last night of the 2021 - 2022 Legislative Session.  

Nearly 200 bills were debated during the final two days of the 2021-2022 Legislative Session

Senator Mike McGuire presents a bouquet of flowers to Senator Connie Leyva in appreciation of her long tenure as presiding officer. 

Senator Monique Limón

Senate President pro Tem and Senate Majority Leader Emeritus Bob Hertzberg

Senator Steven Bradford

Senator Nancy Skinner

Senator Richard Pan

Senator Dave Cortese

Senator Brian Jones

Senator Susan Rubio

Senator Andreas Borgeas

Senator Josh Becker

Senator Jim Nielsen

Senator Lena Gonzalez

Senators Tom Umberg and Josh Newman

Senators Melissa Melendez and Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh

Senator Steve Glazer

Senator Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh

Senator Dave Cortese and Senator Bill Dodd

Senator María Elena Durazo

Senate Minority Leader Scott Wilk

Senator Henry Stern

Senator John Laird

Senator Ben Allen

Senator Scott Wiener

Senator Bob Wieckowski

Senator Tom Umberg

Senator Steven Bradford

Senator Henry Stern, Senator Josh Becker, and Senator Monique Limón

Senator Richard Roth

Senator John Laird

Senator Anthony Portantino

Senator Dave Min

Senate Majority Leader Mike McGuire and Senate Minority Leader Scott Wilk

Senator Melissa Hurtado

Senator Sydney Kamlager and Senator Brian Dahle

Senator Susan Eggman, Senator Thomas Umberg, and Senator Anthony Portantino

Senator Brian Dahle

Senator Anna Caballero

Senator Josh Becker and Senator Dave Cortese

Senator Patricia Bates

Senate President Pro Tempore Toni Atkins and Senator Shannon Grove

Senator Bob Archuleta and Senator Ben Hueso with Super Bowl 11 trophy

It is White Suit Day at the California State Senate, an annual tradition organized by the California Legislative Black Caucus in recognition of the once-widely accepted "no white after Labor Day" rule. Senators Becker, Durazo, Hurtado, Bates, Ochoa Bogh, Grove, Bradford, Atkins, Limón, Rubio, Caballero, Leyva, Gonzalez, Kamlager and Umberg

Congressman Adam Schiff was recognized on the Senate floor today. Schiff served as state Senator for the 21st Senate District from 1996-2000 and currently serves California's 28th Congressional District. 

Senators Umberg and Hertzberg chat with Congressman Adam Schiff on the Senate floor.

Senator Durazo with Congressman Schiff

Senators Stern and Allen greet Congressman Schiff.

Congressman Schiff and Senator Portantino

Last week Senators offered accolades and touching tributes to the 10 members who are leaving office at the end of this Legislative session. 

Senator Patricia Bates has represented the 36th Senate District since 2014. During her eight years in the Senate, she served as Minority Leader and currently serves as Vice-Chair of the Senate Rules Committee. Bates served in the Assembly from 1998 - 2004.

Senator Andreas Borgeas has represented the sprawling 8th Senate District since 2018. He currently serves as Chair of the Senate Agriculture Committee and Vice-Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee. 

Senate Majority Leader Emeritus Senator Bob Hertzberg served as Majority Leader under two Senate presidents and has represented the 18th Senate District since 2014. Prior to his Senate election, Hertzberg spent three terms in the Assembly, including two years as Speaker of the California State Assembly. 

In 2013, Senator Ben Hueso was first elected to represent the Senate's 40th Senate District which encompasses Imperial County and the border regions of San Diego County. He has served as Chair of the Senate Committee on Energy, Utilities and Communications since 2014 and has chaired the California Latino Legislative Caucus. 

Senator Sydney Kamlager represents the 30th Senate District ranging from Century City to South Los Angeles and includes Culver City, Cheviot Hills, Crenshaw District, University of Southern California, downtown Los Angeles, and a portion of Inglewood. Kamlager served in the California Assembly before her election to the Senate in 2021.

First elected in 2014, Senator Connie Leyva represents the 20th Senate District in Southern California which includes the western parts of the Inland Empire. Leyva serves as Chair of the Senate Education Committee and the Senate Democratic Caucus.

Senator Melissa Melendez was elected in 2020 to fill a vacancy in the 28th Senate District. Before the Senate, Melendez served four terms in the California Assembly and is one of only two women veterans to ever serve in the California Senate. 

Senator Jim Nielsen served in the Senate from 1978 - 1990 and was only the second person to ever return for a non-consecutive term when he was re-elected to the Senate in 2013.  Nielsen represents the eight counties of the 4th Senate District and is affectionately known as "The Dean of the Senate" for his collegiality, comity, and depth of institutional knowledge.

Dr. Richard Pan is a pediatrician, former UC Davis educator, and State Senator representing the 6th Senate District.  Pan served two terms in the California Assembly before his election to the Senate in 2014. His district encompasses parts of Sacramento and Yolo counties.

Senator Bob Wieckowski was elected in 2014 to represent the 10th Senate District, stretching from southern Alameda County into parts of Santa Clara County. Wieckowski chairs the Budget and Fiscal Review Subcommittee on Resources, Environmental Protection, and Energy. Prior to his election to the Senate, he served in the California Assembly from 2010 - 2014. 

Recognizing the 50th anniversary of Title IX, the Senate welcomed tennis legend, Rosie Casals, to the Senate's gallery. The groundbreaking gender equity law, Title IX (1972) prohibits sex discrimination in any education program or activity that receives federal financial assistance, paving the way for women and girls to participate fully and equally in sports and athletic programs.   

Senators Toni Atkins and John Laird welcome the New South Wales Parliament Delegation: Legislative Council President Matthew Mason-Cox, Legislative Assembly Speaker Jonathan O'Dea; David Blunt, Joe Kaesshaefer, and Jane Duke, Consul General of Australia in Los Angeles.

In recognition of the 25-year sister-state relationship between California and New South Wales, Australia, members of NSW Parliament were warmly welcomed to the Senate chamber.  

The Honorable Matthew Mason-Cox, President of the New South Wales Legislative Council, addresses the California Senate. 

Matthew Mason-Cox, President of the NSW Legislative Council with California Senate President Pro Tem Toni Atkins

The 2021-2022 Senate Fellows were recognized for their hard work and dedication to public policy.  Each year, eighteen California Senate Fellows are selected to serve as full-time Senate staff for 11 months beginning in October. Each Fellow is placed in a member or committee office where they help develop legislative proposals, research and analyze bills, respond to constituent inquiries, and draft press releases and speeches. 

The California Science and Technology Policy Fellowship program places professional scientists and engineers in the California State Legislature for one-year appointments. The Legislature benefits from their vast scientific knowledge and expertise while the fellows gain experience in public policy and leadership. The 2021-2022 Science Fellows are: Stephen Cutie, Heather Frye, Jacob O'Connor, Zoe Guttman, Andrew Dawson.

Senator Jim Nielsen, along with several other Senators, adjourned the Senate in honor of former Senator Bob Dutton's long and illustrious career in the Senate.

Senator Bob Dutton (1950 - 2022) represented portions of San Bernardino and Riverside counties in California's 31st Senate District. Elected to the Senate in 2004, Senator Dutton became Minority Leader in 2011 and served until his term ended in 2012. Dutton is survived by his wife, Andrea and his daughter Kara.

From left, Toby Ford-Monroe, Mikey Serbicki, Mason Matulaitis and Nate Jordan pose with Senator Bill Dodd at the State Capitol after a ceremony recognizing the life-saving heroics of the young men. Ford-Monroe, Jordan and Matulaitis rushed to the aid of Serbicki after he suffered a heart attack while playing basketball.

“Their actions saved a life and inspired an entire community," Senator Bill Dodd said of the young men being recognized from the Senate Gallery. 

On June 15, Mikey Serbicki collapsed on the basketball court at Sonoma Valley High School. Rushing to his aid, Toby Ford-Monroe, Nate Jordan and Mason Matulaitis performed CPR and deployed an automated external defibrillator (AED) to restart their friend's heart.  

Senator María Elena Durazo adjourns the Senate in honor of legendary broadcaster Vin Scully, the voice of the Los Angeles Dodgers for 67 years. The longest tenured broadcaster with a single team in pro sports history, Scully was"the soundtrack of summer" for millions of Dodger and non-Dodger fans.

One of baseball's most beloved voices, broadcasting icon Vin Scully died on August 2, at the age of 94. Vincent "Vin" Scully was a national sports treasure whose voice was synonymous with the Los Angeles Dodgers.

June is Pride Month

Each year, the California Legislative LGBTQ Caucus selects outstanding leaders in the state's LGBTQ+ community to honor during Pride Month. Senator Scott Wiener, Susan Eggman, John Laird, and Pro Tem Toni Atkins pose with this year's LGBTQ+ Caucus Pride honorees.

Senator Sydney Kamlager and Richard Pan wave rainbow flags during the LGBTQ+ Pride ceremony on the Senate floor.

Senator Anthony Portantino speaks in support of LGBTQ equality 

Senator Nancy Skinner celebrates the Golden State Warriors 2022 NBA Championship. The Warriors finished off a 4-2 series victory over the Celtics with a 103-90 win in Boston in Game 6, securing the team's fourth championship in eight seasons.

The Juneteenth flag flies over the California Capitol. This flag, with a bursting star in the center is a symbolic representation of the end of slavery in the United States. In 2021, President Biden declared Juneteenth a federal holiday. 

Senator Steven Bradford welcomed a delegation of young professionals participating in the State Department's Mandela Washington Fellowship program. The Mandela Washington Fellowship is part of the Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI), the U.S. Government’s signature effort to invest in the next generation of African leaders.

Senator Bob Archuleta

Denim Day takes place on the last Wednesday of April, which is Sexual Assault Awareness Month. This day of action and awareness is an event in which people are encouraged to wear denim to combat victim-blaming and educate others about sexual violence.

After two years of strict social distance requirements, Senators were able to join their seat-mates on April 25, 2022. 

Senator Monique Limón memorializes March 31 as a day for Californians to observe César Chávez’s birthday and encourages California to follow Chávez’s example of nonviolence, social justice, and selfless service to others. 

Senator Steven Bradford 

Senator Susan Rubio

Senator Connie Leyva

Senator Nancy Skinner

Senators Mike McGuire and Bob Hertzberg

Senator Josh Becker presides over the Senate floor session on March 14, 2022

Though masking is still "strongly recommended," the California Senate has relaxed its guidelines to allow members, staff, and the public to gather in the Capitol without face masks. Effective March 7, 2022, members may choose to wear, or not wear masks in the Senate Chamber. The state Senate has observed a strict masking requirement for the duration of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Senator Brian Jones and Senator Shannon Grove

Senator Gary K Hart ( Aug 13, 1943 - Jan 2, 2022) represented Santa Barbara and Ventura counties as both Assemblymember and Senator over a period spanning twenty years. A former High School teacher and college teacher, Senator Hart was a strong advocate for charter schools and education reform throughout his public service career. He is survived by his wife, Cary, and their three daughters.

Reminiscing on memories of their shared time in the Legislature, Senator Robert Hertzberg adjourned the Senate in honor of former Senator Gary K. Hart. Senator Hart's former central coast district is now represented by Senator Hertzberg.

Senator Tom Umberg chaired the Assembly Education Committee at the same time Senator Gary K Hart chaired the Senate Education Committee and recalls his deep admiration and respect for Senator Hart's vision and intellect.

According to the American Heart Association’s 2022 Heart Disease & Stroke Statistical Update, cardiovascular disease remains the greatest health threat for women. Wearing red on National Wear Red Day helps raise awareness about cardiovascular disease. Senators Connie Leyva, Monique Limón and María Elena Durazo

Senators wearing red in support of National Wear Red Day, 2022. Senators Min, Hertzberg, Atkins, Rubio, Skinner, Caballero, Leyva, Eggman, Dodd, Archuleta, Newman, Glazer and Laird

Showing their support for women's heart health, Senators Archuleta, Wieckowski, Dodd, Pan, Hertzberg and Laird donned bright red ties on the floor. Senator Bill Dodd's red jacket was a show of support and a true fashion statement!

Senator María Elena Durazo engages in good-natured banter in support of her team, the Los Angeles Rams.

Summing up the sense of pride shared by both Northern and Southern Californians, Senator Bob Archuleta recognized the 49ers and Rams as the "two best teams in pro football. GO CALIFORNIA!"  

Senators Lena Gonzalez and Dave Cortese leave the Senate floor upon adjournment of the day's session.

Senator Scott Wiener

Senator Ben Allen adjourns the California Senate in honor of  Sidney Poitier, who died in January 2022. Poitier was a Bahamian-American actor, film director, and diplomat. In 1964, Sidney Poitier became the first Black person and first Bahamanian to win the Academy Award's Oscar for Best Actor.

Senator Bob Archuleta 

Senator Steven Bradford

Senator Susan Eggman

Senator Ben Hueso

Senator Susan Rubio

Senator Nancy Skinner

Senator Dave Cortese salutes the flag before the Legislative session reconvenes for the final year in the two-year session. 

Senators Connie Leyva and Lena Gonzalez

Senator Brian Jones 

Senators John Laird, Bob Archuleta, and Monique Limón 

Senator Shannon Grove

Senators Mike McGuire and Bob Wieckowski 

Senators Bill Dodd and Brian Dahle

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.

Senator Ben Hueso

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.

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 Monique Limón

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

Senator Patricia Bates

Senator Ben Allen

Senator Anna Caballero

Senator Josh Becker

Senator Brian Dahle

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. 

Senator Brian Jones

Senator Sydney Kamlager

Senator Josh Newman

Senator Sydney Kamlager

Senator Steve Glazer

Senator Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh

Senator Ben Hueso

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.

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 Lena Gonzalez

Senator Melissa Melendez

Senator María Elena Durazo

Senator Tom Umberg

Senator Ben Hueso

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

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

Senator Scott Wiener