BILL ANALYSIS Ó
HR 46
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Date of Hearing: April 11, 2016
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON RULES
Gordon, Chair
HR
46 (O'Donnell) - As Introduced March 31, 2016
SUBJECT: Cambodian Genocide Memorial Day
SUMMARY: Recognizes April 17, 2016, as Cambodian Genocide
Memorial Day, and calls upon all Californians to observe the day
by participating in appropriate activities and programs.
Specifically, this resolution makes the following legislative
findings:
1)The Cambodian people have a long and rich cultural heritage
symbolized by the temple city Angkor Wat, considered one of
the Wonders of the Ancient World, built between the 9th and
12th centuries, and which stands as a living icon of the
endurance and genius of all Cambodians throughout the world.
2)Between April 17, 1975, and January 7, 1979, the Khmer Rouge
of Democratic Kampuchea, led by Pol Pot, Secretary General of
the Communist Party of Kampuchea, and other members of the
Standing Committee of the Central Committee of the Communist
Party of Kampuchea and their agents, committed acts of
genocide and other crimes against humanity. April 17, 2016,
will mark both the 41st anniversary of the Khmer Rouge seizing
control of Cambodia and the beginning of the Cambodian
Genocide.
3)The genocide and other crimes against humanity committed
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against the people of Cambodia, including various religious
groups and ethnic minorities, during the Khmer Rouge regime
led to the deaths of over 1,700,000 Cambodians, which was 21%
of the nation's population.
4)After the overthrow of the Khmer Rouge regime in 1979, over
140,000 Cambodians came to the United States as refugees, a
group of special humanitarian and foreign policy concern to
the United States because of the well-founded fear of
persecution for reasons of race, religion, nationality,
membership in a particular social group, or political opinion
and thus in need of protection in accordance with the United
Nations' 1951 Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees.
5)The Cambodian people have drawn from their cultural history to
rebuild their lives and communities through participation in
American politics on the local and national levels, by
establishing local and international businesses, by developing
new art forms and community organizations, and by raising a
new generation of Americans who promise to contribute to the
future of the State of California and the nation.
6)The Cambodian Genocide Memorial Week will honor the survivors
and their descendants for their courage and contributions to
our state and country, and will serve as a way to remember
those who lost their lives in Cambodia and in genocides around
the world.
FISCAL EFFECT: None
REGISTERED SUPPORT / OPPOSITION:
Support
None on file
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Opposition
None on file
Analysis Prepared by:Nicole Willis / RLS. / (916) 319-2800