BILL ANALYSIS �
AB 1289
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ASSEMBLY THIRD READING
AB 1289 (Cooley)
As Amended May 15, 2013
Majority vote
GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATION 16-0
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|Ayes:|Hall, Nestande, Bigelow, | | |
| |Chesbro, Cooley, Gray, | | |
| |Hagman, | | |
| |Roger Hern�ndez, Jones, | | |
| |Jones-Sawyer, Levine, | | |
| |Medina, Perea, | | |
| |V. Manuel P�rez, Salas, | | |
| |Torres | | |
| | | | |
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SUMMARY : Establishes the California Vietnam Veterans Memorial
(Memorial) as the official state Vietnam Veterans War Memorial
and makes legislative findings.
EXISTING LAW 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 : None. 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 Capitol 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
AB 1289
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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 Prisoners of War (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 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.
Arguments in support : Supporters argue 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.
Analysis Prepared by : Felipe Lopez / G. O. / (916) 319-2531
FN: 0000577