BILL NUMBER: SB 944INTRODUCED BILL TEXT INTRODUCED BY Senators Runner and Strickland (Principal coauthor: Assembly Member Audra Strickland) FEBRUARY 3, 2010 An act to amend Section 37222 of the Education Code, and to add Section 6722 to the Government Code, relating to Ronald Reagan Day. LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST SB 944, as introduced, Runner. 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 bil 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. Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: no. State-mandated local program: no. 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, her values, and those 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) The following days in each year are designated and set apart as days having special significance: (1) The second Wednesday in May as the Day of the Teacher. (2) April 21 of each year as John Muir Day. (3) April 6 of each year as California Poppy Day. (4) May 22 of each year as Harvey Milk Day. (5) February 6 of each year as Ronald Reagan Day. (b) On each of the days designated in subdivision (a), all public schools and educational institutions are encouraged to observe those days and to conduct suitable commemorative exercises as follows: (1) On the Day of the Teacher, exercises commemorating and directing attention to teachers and the teaching profession. (2) On John Muir Day, 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. (3) On California Poppy Day, 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. (4) On Harvey Milk Day, exercises remembering the life of Harvey Milk, recognizing his accomplishments, and familiarizing pupils with the contributions he made to this state. (5) On Ronald Reagan Day, exercises remembering the life of Ronald Reagan, recognizing his accomplishments, and familiarizing pupils with the contributions he made to this state. (c) It is the intent of the Legislature that the exercises encouraged in 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 6722 is added to the Government Code, to read: 6722. The Governor shall annually proclaim February 6 as Ronald Reagan Day.