BILL ANALYSIS Ó
SENATE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION
Senator Carol Liu, Chair
2015 - 2016 Regular
Bill No: AB 7
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|Author: |Bonta |
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|Version: |April 7, 2015 Hearing |
| |Date: June 10, 2015 |
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|Urgency: |No |Fiscal: |No |
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|Consultant:|Lenin Del Castillo |
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Subject: Public schools: Larry Itliong Day
SUMMARY
This bill designates October 25th of each year as Larry Itliong
Day, and encourages public schools to recognize it as a day of
special significance.
BACKGROUND
Existing law proclaims the first week of April as Labor History
Week and encourages school districts to commemorate the week
with appropriate educational exercises that make pupils aware of
the role the labor movement has played in shaping California and
the United States.
Existing law designates a number of days as days of special
significance to the public schools and educational institutions
and encourages them to observe that day, including Ronald
Reagan Day (February 6), John Muir Day (April 21), and Harvey
Milk Day (May 22).
Existing law also requires public schools to close on a number
of holidays, including January 1, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Day, Lincoln Day, Washington Day, Memorial Day, July 4, Labor
Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving, December 25, all days appointed
by the Governor or the President of the United States for a
public fast, holiday, and any other day designated as a holiday
by the governing board of the school district. Existing law
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requires that for some specified holidays for which schools are
required to close (Dr. Martin Luther King Day, Lincoln Day, and
Washington Day), schools conduct exercises in commemoration.
Additionally, existing law authorizes public schools to close on
two other days if the governing board, pursuant to a collective
bargaining agreement, agrees to close schools for that purpose.
These days are César Chávez (March 31) and Native American Day
(fourth Friday in September).
Existing law requires the State Board of Education to ensure
that state curriculum on César Chávez and the history of the
farm labor movement in the United States include information on
the role of immigrants, including Filipino Americans, in that
movement.
ANALYSIS
This bill:
1)Makes various findings and declarations relative to the life
of Larry Itliong and his contributions as a leader in the
American farm labor movement and in the Filipino American
community, including the finding and declaration that the
accomplishments and contributions of Larry Itliong should be
properly memorialized within the history and culture of the
United States of America.
2)Designates October 25th of each year as Larry Itliong Day, a
day of special significance, as specified.
3)Encourages all public schools and educational institutions to
conduct exercises remembering the life of Larry Itliong,
recognizing his accomplishments, and familiarizing pupils with
the contributions he made to the state.
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4)Requires the Governor to annually proclaim October 25th of
each year as Larry Itliong Day.
STAFF COMMENTS
1)Need for the bill. According to the author's office, "the
accomplishments and contributions of Larry Itliong should be
properly memorialized within the history and culture of the
United States because he is a hero in the socioeconomic and
racial justice movement. Although his accomplishments have
been recognized in smaller ways, such as being acknowledged in
part in the renaming of a Union City middle school, he
deserves to be recognized on a statewide level and remembered
for his contributions to our state and nation's history."
2)Larry Itliong. This bill recognizes Larry Itliong as a
prominent leader in the American farm labor movement. In
1965, as a leader of the Agricultural Workers Organizing
Committee of the AFL-CIO, he organized a group of 1,500
Filipinos in an eight day strike against Delano grape growers.
Itliong asked César Chávez and his followers to join the
strike, and the two leaders' organizations eventually
combined, establishing the United Farm Workers of America.
Itliong later become the President of the Filipino American
Political Association, the first national political Filipino
American organization. He was also instrumental in the
founding of the Pablo Agbayani Village, a retirement home
built by volunteers for retired Filipino Manongs.
3)Discretionary activities. Current law encourages all public
schools and educational institutions to observe each day
designated and set apart as a day having special significance,
and to conduct suitable commemorative exercises. These are
not required activities. Current law also includes
legislative intent that exercises be integrated into the
regular school program and be conducted by the school within
the amount of time otherwise budgeted for educational
programs.
SUPPORT
Alameda Labor Council
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American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees,
AFL-CIO
Asian Americans Advancing Justice
Asian Pacific Environmental Network
Berkeley City Council
California College and University Police Chiefs Association
California History Center Foundation (De Anza College)
California Immigrant Policy Center
Filipino American Coalition for Environmental Solidarity
Filipino American National Historical Society, Santa Clara
Chapter
Little Manila Foundation
Philippine National Day Association
Philippine Weekend, Inc.
United Farm Workers
Letters from individuals
OPPOSITION
None received.
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