Relative to I ♥ SGV Day.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Juan Alanis and 7 co-sponsors

Designates February 2013 as Black History Month in California and urges residents to celebrate African American achievements and contributions throughout the month.

From committee: Be adopted. Ordered to consent calendar. (Ayes 7. Noes 0.) (July 2).

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Bill Summary: SCR 9 (California) – Black History Month Recognition

Purpose and Intent

SCR 9, introduced in 2013 by Senator Wright with multiple coauthors and assembly coauthors, resolves to recognize February 2013 as Black History Month.

The measure urges all California residents to join in celebrating the accomplishments of African Americans during Black History Month and to recognize the talents, achievements, and contributions of African Americans to California communities.

The resolution situates the recognition within a broader historical context, noting milestones such as the Emancipation Proclamation, the March on Washington, and various contributions of African Americans to U.S. history and culture.

Key Provisions and Changes

Official recognition: The bill designates February 2013 as Black History Month in California.

Civic exhortation: It urges California residents and communities to celebrate African American achievements and contributions throughout the month.

Educational and cultural emphasis: The resolution highlights the historical impact of African Americans across diverse fields (art, science, government, civil rights, culture) and calls attention to their role in American history and society.

Historical context and examples: The text includes a detailed narrative of African American history, including figures, events, and cultural contributions, to underscore the significance of the month.

Who or What Is Affected

Statewide impact: The resolution applies to the State of California and its residents, encouraging public and private institutions, schools, and communities to observe and celebrate Black History Month.

No statutory or fiscal changes: The Legislative Counsel’s Digest notes no fiscal committee action is required, indicating no new appropriations or budgetary implications.

Communication: The Secretary of the Senate would transmit copies of the resolution to the author for distribution, facilitating dissemination.

Procedural and Timeline Aspects

Legislative status: SCR 9 was introduced on January 28, 2013, and later references show ongoing committee processing.

Action history (as of record):

2026-06-22: From committee, ordered to third reading.
2026-06-17: Introduced and referred to the Committee on Rules of the Senate (RLS).

Note: The provided action history appears inconsistent with the 2013 introduction date, suggesting either a retroactive listing or a separate, updated version of the resolution in 2026. The core proposition remains a commemorative resolution recognizing Black History Month.

Additional Context

The resolution memorializes Dr. Carter G. Woodson, founder of Negro History Week (later Black History Month), and acknowledges the broader historical and cultural contributions of African Americans.

While the primary effect is ceremonial, such resolutions can support educational programming, public awareness, and cultural appreciation within California communities.

If you’d like, I can extract specific dates or names mentioned in the bill text for a side-by-side reference or tailor this summary toward a policy brief for a particular audience (e.g., educators, public libraries, or local government).