Hernandez Introduces Native American Day Bill

Assemblyman Roger Hernandez is pushing a bill that would establish Native American Day as a state holiday on the same day Columbus Day is recognized.

The democratic lawmaker, whose district includes the City of Industry and West Covina, introduced the legislation Monday.

Gov. Brown annually proclaims the fourth Friday of September as Native American Day, while Columbus Day is recognized as a state holiday on the second Monday of October.

Hernandez said in a press release that his bill is "inspired by the recognition that the so-called discover of the Americas by Columbus eventually led to the genocide of Native Americans."

“Columbus Day is still recognized in California, despite the egregious actions taken against Native American people” said Hernandez.

The proposed legislation would give proper respect and recognition to the state's Native American nations, he said.

Assembly Bill 55 calls for making Native American Day a state holiday on the second Monday in October and would require the governor to proclaim it as such.

The day would be an official state holiday and would require state agencies to close.  Government employees would be allowed to take a paid day off on the holiday.