The California Senate has just passed legislation that creates Harvey Milk Day, in honor of the state’s first openly gay elected official. The slain civil rights leader will be honored yearly on May 22, his birthday.

Said Senator Mark Leno (D-San Francisco):

“Harvey Milk is an inspiration to Californians who believe in fairness and equality,” He fought for many of the issues we value today, including access to education, public transportation, affordable housing and protecting the environment. Harvey Milk gave his life for what he believed in, and with that courage and sacrifice he gave hope to an entire generation of gay and lesbian people whose basic humanity and freedom had been denied and dishonored.”

Next Friday marks what would have been Harvey Milk’s 79th birthday.