California Legislature—2015–16 Regular Session

Assembly Concurrent Resolution No. 35

Introduced by Assembly Member Gonzalez

February 26, 2015

Assembly Concurrent Resolution No. 35—Relative to the 27th Annual State Scientist Day.

LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL’S DIGEST

ACR 35, as introduced, Gonzalez. 27th Annual State Scientist Day.

This measure would declare May 13, 2015, as the 27th Annual State Scientist Day, as a tribute to the dedication and professionalism of the state scientists who work on behalf of all the residents of California.

Fiscal committee: no.

WHEREAS, The state employs nearly 3,000 professional
scientists in over 30 state departments working in more than 81
scientific classifications; and

WHEREAS, State scientists hold graduate degrees in virtually
every scientific discipline, including biology, nematology, virology,
seismology, epidemiology, toxicology, and many others; and

WHEREAS, State scientists are represented by the California
Association of Professional Scientists (CAPS), which is dedicated
to professionalism, independence, and responsible advocacy; and

WHEREAS, Governor Schwarzenegger wrote in October 2007
that “I value the dedication and work of the State’s scientists, and
I am concerned that salaries for this group may have fallen behind
those of comparable workers” and that he wants to ensure “that
the State is moving in the direction of achieving fair and equitable
compensation for the scientists”; and

WHEREAS, The work of state scientists protects the public
from life-threatening diseases, safeguards our wildlife and abundant
natural resources, and protects our air and water from toxic waste
and pollution; and

WHEREAS, State scientists are required to make critical
decisions every day based on rigorous scientific factfinding, and
these decisions ultimately impact the lives and property of all
Californians; and

WHEREAS, If this state loses its scientific expertise, the state
will go unarmed in the battles against greenhouse gas emissions,
air pollution, and the overall protection of children’s health,
according to a 2006 California Environmental Protection Agency
report; and

WHEREAS, State scientists perform important work in the areas
of infectious disease prevention, oil spill prevention and cleanup,
public health drinking water monitoring, the protection of
agricultural crops, brownfields mitigation, chemical and
radiological disaster response, and much more; and

WHEREAS, CAPS cosponsors the Sacramento Regional Science
and Engineering Fair, one of California’s 14 regional science and
engineering fairs, serving hundreds of middle and high schools in
10 California counties; and

WHEREAS, State scientists host an annual State Scientist Day
at the State Capitol to increase public awareness and recognition
of the significant contributions made by scientists working in state
government while entertaining and educating over 3,500
elementary school students with fun, hands-on science exhibits;
and

WHEREAS, State Scientist Day has sparked an interest in
science for thousands of California schoolchildren, legislators,
state employees, and members of the public, who attend the special
event; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the Assembly of the State of California, the Senate
thereof concurring, That May 13, 2015, shall be recognized as the
27th Annual State Scientist Day, and that this day shall be a tribute
to the dedication and professionalism of the state scientists who
work on behalf of all the residents of California; and be it further

Resolved, That the Chief Clerk of the Assembly transmit copies
of this resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.