BILL NUMBER: SB 944 CHAPTERED
BILL TEXT
CHAPTER 114
FILED WITH SECRETARY OF STATE JULY 19, 2010
APPROVED BY GOVERNOR JULY 19, 2010
PASSED THE SENATE JULY 1, 2010
PASSED THE ASSEMBLY JUNE 28, 2010
AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY JUNE 23, 2010
AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY JUNE 10, 2010
AMENDED IN SENATE MARCH 16, 2010
INTRODUCED BY Senators Runner and Strickland
(Principal coauthor: Assembly Member Audra Strickland)
(Coauthors: Senators Ashburn, Cogdill, Cox, Denham, Dutton,
Harman, Hollingsworth, and Wyland)
(Coauthors: Assembly Members Anderson, Bill Berryhill, Conway,
Fuller, Gaines, Gilmore, Jeffries, Logue, Miller, Nestande, Niello,
Nielsen, Silva, Smyth, and Tran)
FEBRUARY 3, 2010
An act to amend Section 37222 of, to add Sections 37222.10,
37222.11, 37222.12, 37222.13, 37222.14, and 37222.16 to, and to
repeal Section 37222.5 of, the Education Code, and to add Section
6723 to the Government Code, relating to Ronald Reagan Day.
LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST
SB 944, Runner. Special significance days: Ronald Reagan Day.
Existing law designates specified days as having special
significance, and specifies how the days of special significance
should be observed in public elementary and secondary schools and
educational institutions.
This bill would repeal and recast these provisions.
This bill would express findings and declarations of the
Legislature relating to Ronald Reagan. This bill would designate
February 6 of each year as Ronald Reagan Day, and would encourage
public schools and educational institutions to engage in exercises
remembering the life of Ronald Reagan, as specified.
Existing law requires the Governor to proclaim various days in
honor of a person, status, or an event.
This bill would require the Governor to annually proclaim February
6 as Ronald Reagan Day.
THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1. The Legislature finds and declares all of the
following:
(a) Ronald Wilson Reagan was a man of humble background who worked
throughout his life serving freedom and advancing the public good,
having been employed as an entertainer, union leader, corporate
spokesman, Governor of California, and President of the United
States.
(b) Ronald Reagan served with honor and distinction for two terms
as the 40th President of the United States of America; the second of
which he earned the confidence of three-fifths of the electorate and
was victorious in 49 of the 50 states in the general election--a
record unsurpassed in the history of American presidential elections.
(c) In 1981, when Ronald Reagan was inaugurated President, he
inherited a disillusioned nation shackled by rampant inflation and
high unemployment.
(d) Ronald Reagan's commitment to the nation's children helped
lower crime and drug use in our neighborhoods.
(e) Ronald Reagan's commitment to our Armed Forces contributed to
the restoration of pride in America and her values, and those values
cherished by the free world, and prepared America's Armed Forces to
meet 21st century challenges.
(f) Ronald Reagan's vision of "peace through strength" led to the
end of the Cold War.
(g) Members of the Legislature take great pride in honoring Ronald
Reagan for his many contributions to our country, and in celebrating
his life.
SEC. 2. Section 37222 of the Education Code is amended to read:
37222. (a) On each day designated and set apart as a day having
special significance, all public schools and educational institutions
are encouraged to observe that day and to conduct suitable
commemorative exercises.
(b) It is the intent of the Legislature that the exercises
encouraged by this section be integrated into the regular school
program, and be conducted by the school or institution within the
amount otherwise budgeted for educational programs.
SEC. 3. Section 37222.10 is added to the Education Code, to read:
37222.10. (a) The second Wednesday in May is designated and set
apart as the Day of the Teacher, a day having special significance
pursuant to Section 37222.
(b) On the Day of the Teacher, all public schools and educational
institutions are encouraged to conduct exercises commemorating and
directing attention to teachers and the teaching profession.
SEC. 4. Section 37222.11 is added to the Education Code, to read:
37222.11. (a) April 21 of each year is designated and set apart
as John Muir Day, a day having special significance pursuant to
Section 37222.
(b) On John Muir Day, all public schools and educational
institutions are encouraged to conduct exercises stressing the
importance that an ecologically sound natural environment plays in
the quality of life for all of us, and emphasizing John Muir's
significant contributions to the fostering of that awareness and the
indelible mark he left on the State of California.
SEC. 5. Section 37222.12 is added to the Education Code, to read:
37222.12. (a) April 6 of each year is designated and set apart as
California Poppy Day, a day having special significance pursuant to
Section 37222.
(b) On California Poppy Day, all public schools and educational
institutions are encouraged to conduct exercises honoring the
California Poppy, including instruction about native plants,
particularly the California Poppy, and the economic and aesthetic
value of wildflowers; promoting responsible behavior toward our
natural resources and a spirit of protection toward them; and
emphasizing the value of natural resources and conservation of
natural resources.
SEC. 6. Section 37222.13 is added to the Education Code, to read:
37222.13. (a) May 22 of each year is designated and set apart as
Harvey Milk Day, a day having special significance pursuant to
Section 37222.
(b) On Harvey Milk Day, all public schools and educational
institutions are encouraged to conduct exercises remembering the life
of Harvey Milk, recognizing his accomplishments, and familiarizing
pupils with the contributions he made to this state.
SEC. 7. Section 37222.14 is added to the Education Code, to read:
37222.14. (a) March 30 of each year is designated and set apart
as Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day, a day having special
significance pursuant to Section 37222.
(b) On Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day, all public schools and
educational institutions are encouraged to conduct exercises
recognizing the contributions of all those involved in the Vietnam
War and remembering the sacrifices they made for their country.
SEC. 8. Section 37222.16 is added to the Education Code, to read:
37222.16. (a) February 6 of each year is designated and set apart
as Ronald Reagan Day, a day having special significance pursuant to
Section 37222.
(b) On Ronald Reagan Day, all public schools and educational
institutions are encouraged to conduct exercises remembering the life
of Ronald Reagan, recognizing his accomplishments, and familiarizing
pupils with the contributions he made to this state.
SEC. 9. Section 37222.5 of the Education Code is repealed.
SEC. 10. Section 6723 is added to the Government Code, to read:
6723. The Governor shall annually proclaim February 6 as Ronald
Reagan Day.