BILL ANALYSIS �
Bill No: AB
1289
SENATE COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATION
Senator Roderick D. Wright, Chair
2013-2014 Regular Session
Staff Analysis
AB 1289 Author: Cooley
As Amended: May 15, 2013
Hearing Date: June 11, 2013
Consultant: Paul Donahue
SUBJECT
California Vietnam Veterans Memorial
DESCRIPTION
PRIOR/RELATED LEGISLATION
Establishes the California Vietnam Veterans Memorial
(Memorial) as the official state Vietnam Veterans War
Memorial and makes legislative findings.
EXISTING LAW
Current 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.
BACKGROUND
1)Purpose : 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.
AB 1289 (Cooley) continued
Page 2
2)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 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
Governor George Deukmejian in 1984, who signed AB 650
(Floyd). The $2.5 million Memorial was financed entirely
by donations.
3)Statements in support : Supporters note that, although
there are many memorials around the state honoring our
Vietnam veterans, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in
Capitol Park should be designated as California's
official Vietnam Veteran's Memorial, particularly as the
25th anniversary of this memorial approaches.
SUPPORT:
American Legion - Department of California
AMVETS - Department of California
California State Commanders Veterans Council
VFW - Department of California
Vietnam Veterans of America - California State Council
OPPOSE:
None on file
AB 1289 (Cooley) continued
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FISCAL COMMITTEE: No.
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