BILL NUMBER: ACR 68 INTRODUCED
BILL TEXT
INTRODUCED BY Assembly Members Portantino, Ammiano, Galgiani,
Gatto, and Hill
(Principal coauthors: Senators Cannella, La Malfa, and Wyland)
JUNE 8, 2011
Relative to the Italian American Legislator Project.
LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST
ACR 68, as introduced, Portantino. Italian American Heritage in
California.
This measure would continue designation and observance of the
month of October as Italian American Heritage Month. This measure
would also encourage the Legislature to continue the Italian American
Legislator Project and welcome the exhibit "The Italian American
Legislator Project of 2011: A Legacy of Service to the California
Legislature" to the State Capitol Building in October 2011 and
encourage all Californians, through the K-12 curriculum and
otherwise, to learn about the history, role, and contributions of
Italian Americans to the State of California.
Fiscal committee: no.
WHEREAS, Italian Americans have served in the California State
Legislature almost since its first session held on December 15, 1849.
The first wave of Italian immigrants arrived in California before
the Gold Rush (1848-52) along with other fortune seekers from all
over the globe. California's first Legislature reflected this
immigration as not a single member of the first Assembly was a native
Californian. Nineteen Members were from northern states, ten were
from southern states, five had an unknown birthplace, and two were of
foreign birth; and
WHEREAS, Through the office of Assembly Member Anthony Portantino
in conjunction with the California Italian American Task Force, the
California Research Bureau, and the Office of the Chief Clerk of the
Assembly, "The Italian American Legislator Project of 2011: A Legacy
of Service to the California Legislature" (the Legacy Project) was
recently launched to find and compile a list of persons of Italian
American heritage who have served as Members of the houses of the
California Legislature; and
WHEREAS, The Legacy Project survey has already identified 53
Italian Americans who are former or current members of the California
Senate and Assembly. Most, but not all, of those identified had
Italian surnames. This is the first time that a comprehensive list of
Italian American legislators has been compiled and there is a need
for a permanent home for the Legacy Project so that additional
Members of Italian descent may be identified and added to the survey.
The Legacy Project will help highlight the continuing political
accomplishments and contributions of the Italian American population
of California; and
WHEREAS, Legacy Project surveyors have tentatively identified the
following former and current Italian American legislators to date,
and are reaching out to current and former legislators and community
members for additional names:
1. Tom Ammiano (Assembly, 2008-Present)
2. John Badaracco (Assembly, 1919, 1921, 1923)
3. Bill Bagley (Assembly, 1961-74)
4. Frank Belotti (Assembly, 1951-72)
5. Patty Berg (Assembly, 2003-08)
6. Paula Boland (Assembly, 1990-96)
7. Frank G. Bonelli (Assembly, 1954-58)
8. Tom Bordonaro (Assembly, 1994-98)
9. Doug Bosco (Assembly, 1978-82)
10. Marilyn Brewer (Assembly, 1994-2000)
11. Robert Bulla (Assembly, 1893, 1895; Senate, 1897, 1899)
12. Anthony Caminetti (Assembly, 1883, 1897, 1899; Senate, 1887,
1889, 1907-13)
13. Joseph Canciamilla (Assembly, 2000-06)
14. Victor Canepa (Assembly, 1913, 1915; Senate, 1917-21, 1927,
1929)
15. Anthony Cannella (Senate, 2010-Present)
16. Sal Cannella (Assembly, 1990-96)
17. August Cavagnaro (Assembly, 1901)
18. Eugene A. Chappie (Assembly, 1965-75)
19. Larry Chimbole (Assembly, 1976-78)
20. Dominic Cortese (Assembly, 1981-96)
21. Louis Devoto (Assembly, 1899)
22. Leonard Joseph Difani (Senate, 1933, 1935)
23. Vic Fazio (Assembly, 1975-78)
24. William Filante (Assembly, 1979-92)
25. Cathleen Galgiani (Assembly, 2006-Present)
26. Mike Gatto (Assembly, 2010-Present)
27. Arlen Gregorio (Senate, 1970-78)
28. Jerry Hill (Assembly, 2008-Present)
29. Wally Knox (Assembly, 1994-2000)
30. Robert Lagomarsino (Senate, 1961-74)
31. Doug LaMalfa (Assembly, 2002-08; Senate, 2010-Present)
32. Paul J. Lunardi (Assembly, 1959-63; Senate, 1963-66)
33. Ennio Martinelli (Senate, 1909, 1911)
34. Bob Moretti (Assembly, 1965-74)
35. George Moscone (Senate, 1967-76)
36. Roger Niello (Assembly, 2004-10)
37. Egisto Palmieri (Senate, 1885)
38. Joseph Pedrotti (Assembly, 1921, 1923; Senate, 1925-29, 1931)
39. Don Perata (Assembly, 1996-98; Senate, 1998-2008)
40. Anthony Pescetti (Assembly, 1999-2002)
41. George Plescia (Assembly, 2002-08)
42. Anthony Portantino (Assembly, 2006-Present)
43. Paul Priolo (Assembly, 1967-80)
44. David Roberti (Assembly, 1967-71; Senate, 1971-94)
45. James Rogan (Assembly, 1994-96)
46. Don Sebastiani (Assembly, 1980-86)
47. Augustus D. Splivalo (Assembly, 1867)
48. Alfred Taliaferro (Assembly, 1852; Senate, 1857, 1858)
49. Mike Thompson (Senate, 1990-98)
50. Charles P. Vicini (Assembly, 1917-19)
51. Catherine Marinelli Wright (Assembly, 1980-92; Senate,
1993-2000)
52. Mark Wyland (Assembly, 2000-2006; Senate, 2006-Present)
53. Louis Zocchi (Assembly, 1895)
WHEREAS, Italian American legislators have left us with a legacy
of political leadership and accomplishments. Two Italian American
legislators, David Roberti (1980-94) and Don Perata (2004-08), have
served as President pro Tempore of the Senate, and one Italian
American legislator, Bob Moretti (1971-74), has served as Speaker of
the Assembly; and
WHEREAS, Eight Italian Americans currently serve in the California
Legislature, three in the Senate and five in the Assembly; and
WHEREAS, California's Italian American legislators have worked
together to represent the interests of Italian American people of
California. During the 1990s, they authored and supported a
resolution and exhibit highlighting "Una Storia Segreta--The Secret
Story," a book and exhibit about the World War II internment and
relocation of, and restrictions on, large numbers of California
Italian Americans; authored a resolution that created the Italian
American Taskforce, which is still in existence today; and authored
several pieces of legislation seeking to include in the K-12
curriculum the history, role, and contributions of Italian Americans.
During the 2000s, they continued to pursue an Italian American
curriculum through various legislative and administrative efforts.
During the past four years, they have introduced resolutions
designating the month of October as Italian American Heritage Month
and have sponsored an annual Capitol exhibit capturing nearly 150
years of the history and contributions of Italian Americans in
California; and
WHEREAS, Columbus Day is a state holiday observed on October 12 of
each year and of special significance to Italian Americans. Columbus
Day is celebrated in Italian American communities across California
with festivals, parades, and activities that celebrate the history
and heritage of the Italian American community. The designation of
October as Italian American Heritage Month is a recognition of the
important role and contributions Italians have made to the rich
cultural fabric of California; and
WHEREAS, Italian Americans are a vital part of California's
diversity, their rich heritage and traditions are a part of the lives
of all Californians. The 2000 Census counted 1,450,885 Italian
Americans in California, an ethnic group that constituted 4.3 percent
of the state's population, the third largest Italian American
population in the United States; and
WHEREAS, Italian Americans have made enormous contributions to the
economic and cultural development and success of California, and
Italian American legislators have made important contributions to the
political life of California through their dedication to public
service and by presenting the interests of the Italian American
community of California; now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the Assembly of the State of California, the Senate
thereof concurring, That the month of October continue to be
designated Italian American Heritage Month; and be it further
Resolved, That the Legislature maintain the Legacy Project and
continue annual observances of Italian American Heritage Month; and
be it further
Resolved, That the Legislature welcomes the exhibit "The Italian
American Legislator Project of 2011: A Legacy of Service to the
California Legislature" to the State Capitol Building during the
month of October; and be it further
Resolved, That the Legislature encourages all Californians,
through the K-12 curriculum and otherwise, to learn about the
history, role, and contributions of Italian Americans to the State of
California.