BILL NUMBER: ACR 127	INTRODUCED
	BILL TEXT


INTRODUCED BY   Assembly Member Bonta

                        APRIL 1, 2014

   Relative to Bataan Death March Veterans Commemoration Day.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   ACR 127, as introduced, Bonta. Bataan Death March Veterans
Commemoration Day.
   This measure would declare April 9, 2014, and every April 9
thereafter, as Bataan Death March Veterans Commemoration Day.
   Fiscal committee: no.



   WHEREAS, On April 9, 1942, during World War II, the Japanese Army
forced 78,000 Filipino and American soldiers to march 82 miles from
Bataan to Camp O'Donnell; and
   WHEREAS, These soldiers endured brutal conditions and suffered
heinous war crimes along the march; and
   WHEREAS, Approximately 10,000 soldiers, both Filipino and
American, lost their lives during the march; and
   WHEREAS, The Bataan Death March was the greatest loss of American
and Filipino prisoners of war during World War II; and
   WHEREAS, Californians owe a debt of gratitude to the soldiers who
gave up their freedom and perished in service of their countries to
preserve our freedoms and our lives; and
   WHEREAS, Knowledge of this historic event is passing out of living
memory as survivors pass away; and
   WHEREAS, The sacrifices made by American and Filipino veterans
during the Bataan Death March have received little state recognition
in California; and
   WHEREAS, The United States Federal Government annually recognizes
April 9th as National Former Prisoner of War Day; now, therefore, be
it
   Resolved by the Assembly of the State of California, the Senate
thereof concurring, That the Legislature declares that a day be set
aside for appreciation of the veterans of the Bataan Death March and
a memoriam of the deceased; and be it further
   Resolved, That April 9, 2014, and each 9th day of April hereafter,
is hereby designated and commemorated as Bataan Death March Veterans
Commemoration Day; and be it further
   Resolved, That the Chief Clerk of the Assembly transmit copies of
this resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.