WHEREAS, John Steinbeck, native son of California, brought fame to this state through his many distinctions as one of America’s great writers; and

WHEREAS, People from foreign lands and our nation read his books to obtain a better understanding of the character of our people, and visit us to renew their memories of his novels and acquaint themselves with the beautiful landscape of our countryside made so vivid in his writings; and

WHEREAS, The high honors that have been bestowed on John Steinbeck include the Pulitzer Prize for “The Grapes of Wrath,” the Medal of Freedom from President Lyndon Johnson, a special United States Postal Service issue of the John Steinbeck Commemorative Stamp, the American Arts Gold Medallion issued by the United States Mint, and the Nobel Prize for Literature for his writings; and

WHEREAS, California is an integral part of his early novels, including “The Pastures of Heaven,” “To a God Unknown,” “Tortilla Flat,” “In Dubious Battle,” “The Red Pony,” “Of Mice and Men,” “The Grapes of Wrath,” and “Cannery Row”; and

WHEREAS, the State of California wishes to perpetuate the memory of John Steinbeck’s accomplishments as a writer for future generations; now, therefore, be it