Ronald Reagan Day California and that state's only governor to become President of the United States, several of his successors proclaimed February 6 as Ronald Reagan Day in California in his honor. Governor Gray Davis, a Democrat, proclaimed February 6 "Ronald Reagan Day" in both 2002 and 2003. Davis's Republican successor, Arnold Schwarzenegger proclaimed February 6 Ronald Reagan Day in 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, and 2010. Senator George Runner introduced Senate Bill 944 on February 3, 2010. The bill passed the Senate Education Committee on March 24, 2010, by a 7–0 vote. SB 944 was approved by the full Senate on
USS Ronald Reagan did not attend either the launch or the commissioning due to Alzheimer's disease, died 11 months later. At the end of the graveside services, the ship's commanding officer at that time, Captain James Symonds, presented the flag that draped the former president's casket to Mrs. Reagan at her request. This was also the flag that had flown over Capitol Hill on 20 January 1981, when the president was inaugurated. At a later date, Captain Symonds also presented Mrs. Reagan the flag that had been flying over "Ronald Reagan" when the former president died. "Ronald Reagan" was the first nuclear-powered warship