The California State Senate adopted Senate Concurrent Resolution 18 to recognize March 25 as National Medal of Honor Day in California.

Senator Bob Archuleta, chair of the Military and Veterans Affairs Committee, presented SCR 18 and reviewed the Medal of Honor’s history and significance. Archuleta noted that only a small number of service members have received the decoration and listed several Californians who are living recipients or honorees from the state.

Why it matters: Senators described the medal as the nation’s highest military decoration for conspicuous gallantry and used the observance to urge public recognition of service members and veterans. Several senators — including Senator Strickland, Senator Grove (co-author), and Senator McNerney — emphasized the sacrifice of recipients and their families, and the symbolic value of the observance for veterans across the state.

The resolution passed by roll call with the clerk reporting “Ayes, 31. No 0. The resolution is adopted.” Senators encouraged Californians to honor recipients and to say “welcome home” to veterans as an additional gesture of gratitude.