California Hall Of Fame Inducts Latest Honorees

Sacramento, CA – Two scientists along with a legendary entertainer, an iconic filmmaker, NFL Raiders quarterback, artist/activist, musician and a vintner are the latest California Hall of Fame inductees.

Governor Jerry Brown and First Lady Anne Gust Brown, in tandem with the California Museum awarded the Spirit of California medal to nine Californians Tuesday night while enshrining the group into the 11th class of the California Hall of Fame during a special event at the downtown Sacramento museum.

The inductees, listed in alphabetical order, are: comedian-actor Lucille Ball; bioscientist Susan Desmond-Hellmann; artist and activist Mabel McKay; atmospheric chemist Mario J. Molina; quarterback Jim Plunkett; poet Gary Snyder; filmmaker Steven Spielberg; musician Michael Tilson Thomas and vintner Warren Winiarski.

In his remarks, Brown noted, “These are people with beautiful minds and I think we should enjoy them and take some inspiration. This is California in its very diverse expression.”

An exhibition of artifacts highlighting the inductees’ lives and achievements opened today at the California Museum. There are now 111 Californians in the California Hall of Fame whose achievements span a spectrum of California industries and areas of influence, including science, philanthropy, sports, business, entertainment, the arts, literature, technology, activism and politics.