BILL ANALYSIS �
AB 1289
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Date of Hearing: May 8, 2013
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATION
Isadore Hall, Chair
AB 1289 (Cooley) - As Introduced: February 22, 2013
SUBJECT : State government: California Vietnam Veterans
Memorial
SUMMARY : Establishes the California Vietnam Veterans Memorial
as the official state Vietnam Veterans War Memorial and makes
legislative findings.
EXISTING LAW
1)Establishes the state flag and the state's emblems, including,
among other things, the poppy as the official state flower and
the California redwood as the official state tree.
FISCAL EFFECT : This bill is keyed non-fiscal by the
Legislative Counsel.
COMMENTS :
Purpose of the bill : According to the author, while there are
many memorials around the state honoring our Vietnam veterans,
it is fitting that the Vietnam Veterans Memorial on the grounds
of the State Capitol in California Park should be designated as
California's official Vietnam Veterans Memorial.
California Vietnam Veterans Memorial : The California Vietnam
Veterans Memorial is located in the north-east corner of the
State Capitol grounds at 15th Street and Capitol Avenue in
Sacramento. It is found near the Rose garden in a quiet, lush
setting. Wide, paved paths lead to the Memorial from the street
as well as from the rest of the Capitol grounds. There is a
large grassy area around the Memorial, with benches scattered
around the area.
The Memorial is circular in design, with full relief bronze
sculptures depicting scenes from daily life during the war. The
sculptures represent many sides of the war, with grunts, nurses,
and POWs. The American flag waves over the Memorial. The 5,822
names of California's dead and missing are engraved onto 22
black granite panels, arranged by their hometowns. Benches
AB 1289
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throughout the memorial and the adjacent rose garden provide a
peaceful setting for mourners and others to show their respect
for all who were involved with the war.
Construction of the Veterans Memorial was authorized by the
signing of AB 650 (Floyd) by Governor George Deukmejian in 1984.
The $2.5 million Memorial was built entirely through donations.
Veteran population in California : According to the California
Department of Veteran's Affairs, there were approximately 1.8
million veterans in California in 2012, which is about 8.3
percent of the nationwide veteran population of nearly 22.3
million.
More than 350,000 California veterans served in Vietnam,
resulting in 5,822 killed or missing in action, which comprised
more than 10 percent of the nation's total, and 40,000 wounded.
More California residents died in Vietnam than residents of any
other state and California veterans received more Medals of
Honor, Bronze Stars, and Purple Hearts than veterans of any
other state.
Arguments in support : Supporters argues that while there are
many memorials around the state honoring our Vietnam veterans,
we believe that the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Capitol Park
should be designated as California's official Vietnam Veteran's
Memorial, especially as we approach the 25th anniversary of this
memorial.
Suggested amendment : Some of the statistics in the legislative
findings are out of date. Therefore, the committee may wish to
update those statistics as follows:
(a) California has the largest United States veteran
population in the nation, comprised of approximately two
1.8 million armed services veterans, which is 12.3 8.3
percent of the nationwide veteran population of nearly 25
approximately 22 million veterans. , who represent
approximately one-fifth of California's total population.
REGISTERED SUPPORT / OPPOSITION :
Support
AB 1289
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California State Commanders Veterans Council (Co-sponsor)
Vietnam Veterans of America-California State Council
(Co-sponsor)
American Legion-Department of California
AMVETS-Department of California
VFW, Department of California
Vietnam Veterans of America-California State council
Opposition
None on file
Analysis Prepared by : Felipe Lopez / G. O. / (916) 319-2531