California Assemblymember Matt Haney speaks at the San Francisco Public Library on May 13, 2026, announcing AB 2455, a bill to designate May 17 as “Bruce Lee Day” in the state.
California Assemblymember Matt Haney announced a bill this week to designate May 17 as “Bruce Lee Day” in honor of the San Francisco-born martial arts icon. The measure, AB 2455, calls on schools and public institutions to recognize Lee’s impact on film, culture, and the Chinese American community.
Speaking on May 13 at the San Francisco Public Library, Haney praised Lee’s influence decades after his passing. “He is still very much an icon, someone who inspires people across our state, inspires Asian Americans, inspires people across the globe with what he did with his life,” Haney said.
He highlighted Lee’s role as a bridge between cultures. “He brought Chinese culture and infused it with the incredible diversity that we have in our state,” he said, “demonstrating the power and transformational abilities of diversity and the cultures of the world being shared in their truth, not the stereotyped version.”
The bill would encourage public schools and educational institutions to honor Lee’s legacy through programs that spotlight his achievements as one of the first Asian Americans in leading Hollywood roles. Students would also learn about cultural representation, inclusivity, and Lee’s philosophy on commitment, integrity, and personal development.
Shannon Lee, daughter of martial arts icon Bruce Lee, thanked California Assemblymember Matt Haney for championing the bill that would establish May 17 as “Bruce Lee Day” in California.
Lee’s daughter, Shannon Lee, attended the announcement and expressed gratitude for the proposed recognition. “Everything that I’ve worked for is to have people understand my father in a deeper and more meaningful way,” she said. “This is an opportunity to really dig into the depths of his writings, his philosophy, and the impact that he made.”
The bill is expected to move through the State Assembly and Senate before being sent to the governor for approval. If passed, May 17 would become an annual day to celebrate Lee’s life and contributions throughout California.
The announcement coincided with Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, and the San Francisco Public Library is planning a public celebration of Bruce Lee Day on May 17, ahead of the bill’s official passage.
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