Assembly in Harmony on Official Song

Few people know the song’s title, its words or even the melody. But the Assembly on Monday agreed to designate “I Love You California” as the official state song.

Some critics had been rooting for the better known “California Here I Come.” But after hearing the American River Community College Chamber Choir sing its rendition of “I Love You California,” the Assembly gave the song its official nod on a 46-30 vote.

The legislation, which now goes to the Senate, was carried by Assemblyman Tim Leslie (R-Carmichael), who was forced to sing the song or risk the bill’s defeat during its first committee hearing. Mixed reviews on Leslie’s singing in that performance prompted him to bring the choir to the Assembly floor for Monday’s vote.

In fact, the Legislature in a 1951 resolution had designated “I Love You California” as the official state song, but Leslie said he wanted the designation in state law. He also noted that the Legislature already had passed laws specifying the official state motto, nickname, flower, tree, bird, reptile, insect, animal, mineral, rock and gemstone.

But Leslie said he had a more personal reason for introducing the bill. It was to honor an old boss, late Assemblyman Frank Lanterman (R-La Canada), an organist and chairman of the Ways and Means Committee in the late 1960s, who loved the song.

“The purpose of this bill, very simply, is to upgrade the state song from a resolution to a statute, and to honor a great man,” Leslie said.

The song was written in 1913 with lyrics by F.B. Silverwood and music by A.F. Frankstein. It was the official song of the San Francisco and San Diego expositions in 1915.