Senate Bill 572, which proclaims May 22 Harvey Milk Day, is now enroute to Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger after passing 45-27 in the California Assembly.

“I am pleased my colleagues in the Assembly recognize and honor Harvey Milk´s contributions to our state,” said Senator Leno (D-San Francisco). “He is an inspiration to people worldwide who believe in fairness and equality and he fought for many of the issues we value today, including access to education, public transportation, affordable housing and protecting the environment.

“Although he vetoed a similar bill last year with the message that Harvey Milk should be recognized only at the local level, I am confident Governor Schwarzenegger now understands the historic and international nature of Harvey´s legacy,” said Senator Leno. “Last week the Governor contradicted his 2008 veto message when he and the First Lady announced that Harvey will be inducted into the California Hall of Fame, acknowledging that Harvey and the other inductees touched the ´lives of millions of people – not just in this state, but around the world.´”

SB 572 recognizes Harvey Milk´s life and contributions to the state with a day of special significance. Given California´s fiscal crisis, the bill has no cost to the state and state workers and school employees do not receive the day off work. The legislation is sponsored by Equality California and co-authored by 22 members of the Legislature, including members of the LGBT Legislative Caucus, Senator Christine Kehoe and Assemblymembers Tom Ammiano and John A. Pérez.