SACRAMENTO, Calif. (FOX26) — California lawmakers have moved to set aside Sept. 25 as “Dolly Parton Day,” honoring the singer and philanthropist for her impact on children’s literacy and communities statewide.

Sen. Shannon Grove, R-Bakersfield, announced that her measure, Senate Bill 931, proclaims “9-2-5, September 25,” as Dolly Parton Day in California. The bill is joint-authored by Sen. John Laird, D-Santa Cruz.

“Dolly Parton has a remarkable ability to bring people together, and her heart for children and literacy is one of the greatest parts of her legacy,” Grove said. “The Imagination Library has given thousands of California children the opportunity to discover a lifelong love of reading, and I am incredibly proud of the work we have done to expand its reach across our state. It is only fitting that California now has a day to celebrate Dolly and the tremendous impact she continues to make.”

Laird said Parton’s influence stretches beyond her music, pointing to her literacy work and advocacy.

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“Dolly Parton brought joy to a lot of people, but her legacy goes well beyond her music,” Laird said. “Through the Imagination Library, she put books into the hands of millions of children and helped give them a love of reading from an early age. She also led with kindness and acceptance, standing by the LGBTQ+ community and reminding people that everyone deserves to be treated with dignity and respect.”

Laird also highlighted Parton’s ties to the Central Coast, including performing for sold-out crowds at the Mid-State Fair in Paso Robles and spending time over the years at the Madonna Inn in San Luis Obispo.

“She was no stranger to the Central Coast, from performing for sold-out crowds at the Mid-State Fair in Paso Robles to spending time over the years at the Madonna Inn in San Luis Obispo, which, with its one-of-a-kind style and vibrancy, seems like a pretty fitting place for Dolly,” Laird said. “I’m pleased to join Senator Grove and colleagues on both sides of the aisle in establishing 9-2-5 (September 25) as Dolly Parton Day and celebrating a remarkable life that touched so many.”

Parton is known globally for her music career, but supporters of the bill emphasized her decades of philanthropic work focused on children, education and literacy. Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library provides high-quality books to children from birth to age 5, delivered monthly to their mailbox.

Grove said she worked alongside then-Senate President pro Tempore Toni Atkins to bring the Imagination Library statewide in California, expanding access to books for young children and families regardless of income or background. California also became one of the first states in the nation to offer a bilingual English-Spanish book option.

More than 182,000 California children are enrolled in the Imagination Library, with full coverage in 45 of California’s 58 counties.

Supporters of SB 931 said the new day of recognition on Sept. 25 is meant to celebrate Parton’s music, philanthropy and her message of dreaming big and giving back.