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.

Consul General of Portugal, Pedro Pinto visits the Senate gallery as the month of June is declared Portuguese Heritage Month in recognition of  the immense contribution the Portuguese community has made to California.

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.

Deputy Chief of Mission of Cuba, Mr. Alejandro García del Toro met with members of the Senate to discuss Cuba-California relations and the shifting dynamics between the two countries. 

The first visitor to the Chamber in over two years of pandemic lockdown, Deputy Chief of Mission of Cuba, Mr. Alejandro García del Toro addressed the California Senate following meetings with Senate President Pro Tem Toni Atkins and other Senate members.

Senator Monique Limón presents SR 81 recognizing Wednesday, April 27, 2022, as Denim Day in California

Senators Nancy Skinner and Melissa Melendez

Senators John Laird and Tom Umberg

Senators Dave Min and Lena Gonzalez

Senators Henry Stern and Richard Pan

Senator Bob Archuleta

Senator Bob Hertzberg

Senate President Pro Tem Toni Atkins and Senator Nancy Skinner

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.

Senator Bill Dodd adjourns the Senate in honor of former state Sen. John F. Dunlap who represented California's North Bay in the California Legislature.

Senator John F. Dunlap (1922 - 2022) represented California's North Bay in both the state Assembly and Senate from 1967 to 1978. He is survived by his wife, Mary Lu, and four adult children.

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. 

Senators Bates, Ochoa Bogh, Hurtado, Leyva, Limón, Atkins, Rubio, Kamlager, Durazo, Eggman, Caballero, and Gonzalez recognize the birthday of Ruth Bader Ginsburg with their own Ginsburg collar.

Senator Steven Bradford 

Senator Susan Rubio

Senator Connie Leyva

Senator Nancy Skinner

Senator Melissa Melendez 

Senate President Pro Tempore Toni Atkins

Senators Mike McGuire and Bob Hertzberg

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

Senator Ochoa Bogh delivers her remarks without a face mask for the first time since her election to the Senate in 2020. 

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!

"The eyes of the nation are on California this weekend," said Senator Steve Glazer in reference to this weekend's National Football Conference championship game between the San Francisco 49ers and the Los Angeles Rams. Senators Nancy Skinner and Bob Wieckowski show their team pride.

Representing the city of Santa Clara, Senator Bob Wieckowski celebrates the San Francisco 49ers' 75th year in the National Football League and their spot in the National Football Conference championship game.

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

                                                                         Senator Josh Becker: Team Niners

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.

In remembrance of his life and legacy, Senate President pro-Tem Toni Atkins commemorates the life of Martin Luther King, Jr. on the Senate floor. 

Senator Sydney Kamlager and other members of the Senate rose to honor Dr. Martin Luther King's legacy and celebrate what would have been his 93rd birthday on January 15, 2022.

Senator Bob Archuleta 

Senator Monique Limón

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. 

With a focus on housing, climate, and COVID-19, the 2021-2022 Legislative session reconvened on January 3, 2022. Senate President pro-Tem Toni Atkins welcomes members back to the Senate chamber

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.

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

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.

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

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 Connie Leyva

Senator Melissa Melendez

Senator María Elena Durazo

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.  

Senator Scott Wiener

Senators Mike McGuire and Dave Min

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

Senator Mike McGuire

Senators Josh Becker and Susan Eggman

Senator Bob Archuleta