Today we celebrate the life of a great Californian leader, Mervyn
Dymally. His career as educator, State Assemblyman, State Senator,
Lieutenant Governor and Member of Congress spanned the terms of six
California governors, including my father and Ronald Reagan.
For more than four decades of public service, Mervyn Dymally worked to
improve the lives of Californians, particularly those burdened by
racial, gender or ethnic discrimination. He championed the cause of
civil rights, and broke new ground as our state’s first African-American
state senator and as one of the first African-Americans to be elected
to statewide office since the Reconstruction era. He was an outstanding
mentor, organizer and leader in his community. I had the privilege of
working with him during my first term as Governor.
Mervyn Dymally came from humble origins and achieved great things,
opening doors of opportunity not just for himself, but for Californians
of every background. For this reason, it is fitting and proper that we
dedicate this day to honoring his memory and the generous life of
service that he exemplifies.
NOW THEREFORE I, EDMUND G. BROWN JR., Governor of the State of
California, do hereby proclaim October 17, 2012, as "Mervyn M. Dymally
Day."
IN WITNESS WHEREOF I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Great Seal
of the State of California to be affixed this 15th day of October 2012.
___________________________________
EDMUND G. BROWN JR.
Governor of California
