Pacific Gives 2017

The University of the Pacific has been honored to continue the legacy of one of its most distinguished alumni, the late George Moscone, who in his accomplished political career as a California State Senator and Mayor of San Francisco advocated for change and inclusion that would forever change politics in California and the nation. In 2015, the University became the repository for the Moscone Collection at its library and established an endowed scholarship in his name for students interested in civic leadership and social justice.

George Moscone (1929-1978) was a social and political leader who is recognized for his integral part in the equality movements of the 1960s and 70s. A former California State Senator (1966-1975) and Mayor of San Francisco (1976-1978), Moscone aggressively advocated for rights and protections for all people, especially people of color, the LGBT community, women, and children. As both senator and mayor, Moscone helped give under-represented residents of California and San Francisco a seat at the tables of power. Most notably, Moscone is recognized for:

• authoring legislation to enact California's School Lunch Program (1974);

• passing one of the first gay rights legislative actions in America (1976);

• along with owner Bob Lurie, keeping the Giants in San Francisco, despite efforts to move them to Canada (1976);

• appointing Harvey Milk, an openly gay man, to the San Francisco Board of Permit Appeals, a first for a major American city (1976);

• overseeing the integration of the San Francisco police and fire departments to include racial and ethnic minorities and women (1976-1978); and

Moscone's 1975 mayoral campaign is seen as a catalyst for a new generation of San Francisco progressivism that has become foundational to the city's modern identity.

To further ensure Moscone's powerful story continues for future generations, the University is partnering with the Moscone Center for Public Service to complete a documentary that will tell George Moscone's remarkable life story. To date, more than 80 interviews have been conducted with his colleagues and contemporaries. The documentary will be completed in collaboration with an award-winning documentary filmmaker and University students majoring in the media arts. The film is projected to be completed and premiere in November of 2018, which marks the 40th anniversary of Moscone's death.

More than 100 individuals and organizations have contributed $450,000 in support of this documentary with a goal to raise $500,000. We have a $50,000 gap to complete this documentary and together, we can meet this goal. We appreciate your support in helping us complete this project.