BILL NUMBER: ACR 112	AMENDED
	BILL TEXT

	AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY  MAY 1, 2012

INTRODUCED BY   Assembly Member Campos

                        FEBRUARY 22, 2012

   Relative to the 24th Annual State Scientist Day.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   ACR 112, as amended, Campos.  24th Annual State Scientist Day.
   This measure would declare May 23, 2012, as the 24th Annual State
Scientist Day, as a tribute to the dedication and professionalism of
the state scientists who work on behalf of all the residents of
California.
   Fiscal committee: no.



   WHEREAS, The state employs nearly 3,000 professional scientists in
over 30 state departments working in more than 230 scientific
classifications; and
   WHEREAS, State scientists hold graduate degrees in virtually every
scientific discipline, including nematology, virology, seismology,
epidemiology, toxicology, and many others; and
   WHEREAS, State scientists are represented by the California
Association of Professional Scientists (CAPS), which is dedicated to
professionalism, independence,  responsible advocacy, and
ensuring that state scientists receive fair pay and benefits for
their important work; and
    WHEREAS, Governor Schwarzenegger wrote in October 2007
that "I value the dedication and work of the State's scientists, and
I am concerned that salaries for this group may have fallen behind
those of comparable workers" and that he wants to ensure "that the
State is moving in the direction of achieving fair and equitable
compensation for the scientists"   and responsible
advocacy  ; and
   WHEREAS, The work of state scientists protects the public from
life-threatening diseases, safeguards our wildlife and abundant
natural resources, and protects our air and water from toxic waste
and pollution; and
   WHEREAS, State scientists are required to make critical decisions
every day based on rigorous scientific factfinding  ,  and
these decisions ultimately impact the lives and property of all
Californians; and 
   WHEREAS, If this state loses its scientific expertise, the state
will go unarmed in the battles against greenhouse gas emissions, air
pollution, and the overall protection of children's health, according
to a 2006 California Environmental Protection Agency report; and

   WHEREAS, State scientists perform important work in the areas of
infectious disease prevention, oil spill prevention and cleanup,
public health drinking water monitoring, the protection of
agricultural crops, brownfields mitigation, chemical and radiological
disaster response, and much more; and
   WHEREAS, State scientists host an annual State Scientist Day at
the State Capitol to increase public awareness and recognition of the
significant contributions made by scientists working in state
government while entertaining and educating over 2,000 elementary
school students with fun, hands-on science exhibits; and
   WHEREAS, State Scientist Day has sparked an interest in science
for thousands of California schoolchildren, legislators, state
employees, and the public  ,  who attend the special event;
now, therefore, be it
   Resolved by the Assembly of the State of California, the Senate
thereof concurring, That May 23, 2012, shall be recognized as the
24th Annual State Scientist Day, and that this day shall be a tribute
to the dedication and professionalism of the state scientists who
work on behalf of all the residents of California; and be it further
   Resolved, That the Chief Clerk of the Assembly transmit copies of
this resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.