Office of the Governor & California Museum announce the ninth class of inductees into the California Hall of Fame

Newest class to be celebrated in an induction ceremony on Oct. 28, followed by an all-new exhibit featuring artifacts on loan from inductees opening on Oct. 29

News provided by

California Museum

Sep 29, 2015, 01:00 ET

SACRAMENTO, Calif., Sept. 29, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Governor Edmund G. Brown, Jr. and First Lady Anne Gust Brown, along with the California Museum, announced the ninth class of inductees to the California Hall of Fame today. The newest class of inspirational individuals will join 88 Californians previously inducted for exemplifying California's spirit of innovation.

The ninth class of California Hall of Fame inductees comprises: acclaimed actor Robert Downey Jr; celebrated artist David Hockney; journalist and news anchor Lester Holt; martial arts superstar Bruce Lee; space pioneer Ellen Ochoa; country music icon Buck Owens; legendary cartoonist Charles M. Schulz and Olympic gold medalist Kristi Yamaguchi. All living inductees will attend in person.

"These talented individuals with their unique set of accomplishments show the best of California," said Governor Brown. "Their creativity and perseverance are a real inspiration."

Inductees and family members of posthumous inductees will receive the Spirit of California medal from the Governor and First Lady in the official state ceremony on Wed., Oct. 28, 2015 at 7:00 p.m. at the California Museum, located at 1020 O Street in Sacramento.

"My husband would be proud of this honor bestowed by his adopted state," said Jean Schulz, who will be accepting the award on behalf of her late husband. "He would be honored to be joining the ranks of past honorees, whose achievements are inspirational not just to Californians but to the world."

Inductees into the California Hall of Fame have made remarkable achievements across a variety of California industries and areas of influence including science, philanthropy, sports, business, entertainment, literature, technology, activism and politics. In addition to the ceremony, inductees will be commemorated with an exhibition of artifacts highlighting their lives and achievements, which opens to the public at 10:00 a.m. on Thurs., Oct. 29, 2015 at the California Museum.

"On behalf of the Board of Trustees, we are delighted to honor another class of remarkable Californians," said Richard Costigan III, Chair of the California Museum's Board of Trustees. "Each reflects the ingenuity and creativity that California represents and is world-renowned in his or her respective field, while as a class they reflect the diversity for which California is globally recognized."

Members of the public are invited to view the arrivals of inductees and ceremony attendees on Wed., Oct. 28, 2015 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. in a public viewing area located in front of the Museum on the corner of 10th and O Streets. Immediately following the arrivals, a live webcast of the induction ceremony will be streamed on the Museum's website at CaliforniaMuseum.org beginning at 7:00 p.m.

For more information on the California Hall of Fame or to download press materials, visit CaliforniaMuseum.org/california-hall-fame.

To date, the ninth Annual California Hall of Fame presenting sponsors are Comcast NBCUniversal and Visit California.

ABOUT CALIFORNIA MUSEUM
A self-supporting 501(c)3 non-profit, the California Museum — home of the California Hall of Fame — engages, educates and enlightens people about California's rich history and unique contributions to the world through ideas, innovation, the arts and culture. Through interactive and innovative experiences, the Museum inspires visitors to dream the California dream and dares them to make their own mark on history. Open Tuesday-Saturday: 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Sunday: 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.; closed Monday Admission: adults $9.00; college students & seniors $7.50 with valid ID; youth 6-17: $7.00; children 5 and under free. For more information, visit CaliforniaMuseum.org.

Interviews available by request, submit inquiries at: http://www.californiamuseum.org/media-inquiries.
Downloadable press kit available at: http://www.californiamuseum.org/press-kits

SOURCE California Museum