December 6, 2011 (LOS ANGELES) – Homeboy Industries founder Fr. Greg Boyle will be honored as an inductee into the 2011 California Hall of Fame in a ceremony to take place in Sacramento on December 8. Fr. Greg – who joins an elite list of renowned Californians being awarded the honor – was selected by honorary chairs and event hosts Governor Edmund G. Brown, Jr. and First Lady Anne Brown for his work as a community activist helping former gang members and at risk youth throughout Los Angeles.

This year’s inductees also include: space explorer and astronaut Buzz Aldrin; surf rock legends The Beach Boys; Nobel Prize-winning scientist Dr. Elizabeth Blackburn; entrepreneurs and philanthropists Doris and Donald Fisher; basketball superstar Earvin “Magic” Johnson; disability rights advocate Ed Roberts; guitar visionary Carlos Santana; celebrated contemporary novelist Amy Tan; and social justice champion California Supreme Court Justice Roger Traynor.

Conceived in 2006 with former First Lady Maria Shriver, The California Museum’s California Hall of Fame is the Museum’s annual fundraising gala honoring legendary people who embody California’s innovative spirit and have made their mark on history. In addition to a yearly event, the California Hall of Fame is also an exhibition at The California Museum, serving to inspire visitors through an exhibit of the inductees’ personal items to highlight the amazing triumphs of the visionaries who have called California home.

“Father Boyle fosters hope, compassion and second-chances through his ‘Jobs Not Jail’ program,” said Dori Dennis Moorehead, Executive Director of The California Museum. “We’re thrilled to honor his outstanding community activism work and share his encouraging story as an extraordinary Californian.”

This year’s inductees join 65 fellow remarkable Californians who have made monumental achievements across a variety of disciplines including science, philanthropy, sports, business, entertainment, literature, technology, activism and politics.

“It is an honor to be recognized by the Governor for my work and the work we do at Homeboy Industries,” said Fr. Greg. “I have a great deal of respect and admiration for my fellow inductees, and I’m humbled to be included among them for this recognition.”

All living inductees and family of posthumous inductees are scheduled to participate in the presentation of the California Hall of Fame awards by the Governor and First Lady on Thursday, December 8, 2011 at the Memorial Auditorium, located at 1515 J Street in Sacramento. Special guests will include prior inductees Clint Eastwood (’06) and Chuck Yeager (’09), along with Museum Board of Trustee Dina Eastwood, Stuart Milk, nephew of inductee Harvey Milk (’09), Museum Board of Trustee member Lisa Ling of Oprah Winfrey Network’s “Our America with Lisa Ling,” and Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson.

Comcast, the exclusive multimedia sponsor of the 2011 California Hall of Fame, will air a live broadcast of the red carpet arrivals and induction ceremony on Comcast Hometown Network to all California subscribers on Thursday, December 8 from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m., followed by the official induction ceremony from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. In addition, a live stream of the red carpet arrivals and induction ceremony will be available on www.CaliforniaMuseum.org

About Homeboy Industries

For nearly 25 years, Homeboy Industries has helped at-risk and former gang-involved youth from throughout Los Angeles through a variety of free programs and services, including counseling, education, tattoo removal, job training and job placement. It has helped former gang members from the more than 1,000 gangs in Los Angeles and has become a renowned national model for gang intervention and re-entry programs. More information is available at www.homeboy-industries.org.

About The California Museum

The California Museum — home of the California Hall of Fame and California Legacy Trails — engages, educates and enlightens people about California’s rich history and unique contributions to the world through ideas, innovation, art and culture. Through interactive and innovative experiences, the museum inspires men, women and children to dream the California dream and dare to make an individual mark on history. Open Monday through Saturday from 10:00a.m. to 5:00p.m.; Sunday from noon to 5:00p.m. Admission: Adults $8.50; Students/Seniors $7.00 with valid ID; Children 6-17 $6.00; Children 5 and younger free. For more information, visit: www.CaliforniaMuseum.org