Orange County’s Board of Supervisors voted on Tuesday to officially declare August 24 as Kobe Bryant day.
Orange County Board Chairwoman Michelle Steel explained that they chose that date because Kobe Bryant was born August 23 and he wore the number 24 on his jersey.
Steel said in a statement on Tuesday that Bryant, who lived in Newport Beach, was a “treasured member of our community” who “inspired so many men and women to pursue their dreams and never give up.”
Steel said: “I’m proposing August 24 to be dedicated to the memory of Kobe Bryant, and all that he brought to Orange County community, which to (sic) strive to live by his words of encouraging those around us to never give up on their dreams,
“The most important thing is to try and inspire people so that they can be great in whatever they want to do.”
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Supervisor Don Wagner acknowledged that the former NBA star had ups and downs in his lifetime.
“Kobe Bryant’s life, like each one of us who ever lived, presents moments to celebrate and to condemn,” Wagner said. “Kobe, like all of us, faced challenges, challenges of his own making and challenges thrown at him by life, that he overcome. Today, we celebrate the effort in overcoming those challenges.”
Wagner added: “So we strike a balance, and on balance here the good recognized in the resolution brought here is worth celebrating.”
On Wednesday evening, Vanessa Bryant took to Instagram to share the news.