STAGE TUBE: California State Senate Tributes Ken Howard at Today's Floor Session

The California State Senate today adjourned its floor session in honor of the late SAG-AFTRA President Ken Howard. Watch the tribute below!

At the closing, State Sen. Ben Allen, D-Santa Monica, said, "I'd like to rise to adjourn in memory of Ken Howard, who was a Tony and Emmy Award-winning actor. He passed away on March 23 in his home near Los Angeles just days before his 72ndbirthday. Perhaps best known for his work on the television series The White Shadow, he was featured in numerous other classic shows and films. Survived by his loving wife of 25 years and three adult stepchildren, Ken's other family was his acting family. Now, many folks know that Ken was a very devoted and respected leader - in fact president of SAG-AFTRA. He was first elected to the Screen Actors Guild National Board of Directors in 2008 and he became president of the union in 2009. It was under his leadership in 2012 that the merger of SAG and the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists occurred, strengthening and amplifying THE VOICE of 160,000 actors, broadcasters and other workers. He also taught master classes at the American Repertory Theatre institute helping to train the next generation of actors, and as a kidney transplant recipient he helped to pay it forward by supporting and BECOMING a chancellor at the National Kidney Foundation. From his days as a high school basketball star to his starring roles on the screen and his distinguished service on behalf of actors across the nation, Ken Howard was very talented and beloved by all that knew him. Another loss for the wonderful City of Los Angeles and I ask that we adjourn in his memory."

"Thank you to Sen. Allen and the State Senate for acknowledging Ken Howard's remarkable accomplishments," said SAG-AFTRA Acting President Gabrielle Carteris. "The SAG-AFTRA family has experienced a tremendous loss, and we appreciate this meaningful gesture."

"I appreciate this tribute to our fallen leader. It was particularly appropriate as a capstone to a Senate session dedicated to the memory of another great labor leader, Cesar Chavez, whose birthday is March 31," said SAG-AFTRA National Executive David White.

SAG-AFTRA represents approximately 160,000 actors, announcers, broadcast journalists, dancers, DJs, news writers, news editors, program hosts, puppeteers, recording artists, singers, stunt performers, voiceover artists and other media professionals. SAG-AFTRA members are the faces and voices that entertain and inform America and the world. With national offices in Los Angeles and New York and local offices nationwide, SAG-AFTRA members work together to secure the strongest protections for media artists into the 21st century and beyond.