Sean Penn Wants California to Get Milk

Now that he's won Best Actor for his portrayal of the late gay activist Harvey Milk, Sean Penn is using his Hollywood muscle to make sure people never forget his message.

Penn is reportedly pushing the state of California to officially recognize Harvey Milk's birthday. State Senator Mark Leno plans to reintroduce a bill on Tuesday with Penn by his side, designating Milk's birthday as a "day of significance."

Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger vetoed the same bill last year. In his veto message, the governor said Milk should be honored in San Francisco, but not statewide.

Leno says Penn's award shows that Schwarzenegger's argument about Milk being only of provincial interest no longer holds up.