Amended in Assembly August 24, 2015

California Legislature—2015–16 Regular Session

Assembly Concurrent Resolution No. 99

Introduced by Assembly Member Lopez

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(Coauthors: Assembly Members Achadjian, Alejo, Travis Allen, Atkins, Baker, Bigelow, Bloom, Bonilla, Brough, Brown, Burke, Calderon, Campos, Chang, Chau, Chávez, Chiu, Chu, Cooley, Cooper, Dababneh, Dahle, Daly, Dodd, Eggman, Frazier, Beth Gaines, Gallagher, Cristina Garcia, Eduardo Garcia, Gatto, Gipson, Gomez, Gonzalez, Gordon, Gray, Grove, Hadley, Harper, Roger Hernández, Holden, Irwin, Jones, Jones-Sawyer, Kim, Lackey, Levine, Linder, Low, Maienschein, Mathis, Mayes, McCarty, Medina, Melendez, Mullin, Nazarian, Obernolte, O’Donnell, Olsen, Patterson, Perea, Quirk, Rendon, Ridley-Thomas, Rodriguez, Salas, Santiago, Steinorth, Mark Stone, Thurmond, Ting, Wagner, Waldron, Weber, Wilk, Williams, and Wood)

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July 16, 2015

Assembly Concurrent Resolution No. 99—Relative to Salvadoran American Day.

LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL’S DIGEST

ACR 99, as amended, Lopez. Salvadoran American Day.

This measure would declare September 6, 2015, as Salvadoran American Day and would recognize the numerous contributions and rich heritage of Salvadoran Americans in California.

Fiscal committee: no.

WHEREAS, On August 6, 1525, the official founding of Villa
de San Salvador was declared in the Valle de Las Hamacas (Valley
of the Hammocks) where the indigenous ancestors of El Salvador
fought historic battles against the submission and abuse of Spanish
colonialism in order to preserve the life and liberty of the
Cuscatleco population; and

WHEREAS, On September 15, 1821, El Salvador achieved
independence from Spain and ended centuries of Spanish
colonialization; and

WHEREAS, In the 20th century, 40 years of internal political
turmoil forced hundreds of thousands of Salvadorans to flee El
Salvador, seeking peace and security in a new country, the United
States; and

WHEREAS, Now Salvadoran Americans constitute one of the
largest Latino communities in California, totaling over one million
throughout the state and 6 percent of all immigrants nationwide;
and

WHEREAS, The history of our nation and California is a rich
and enduring tapestry woven with the threads of many remarkable
lives, cultures, and events, and the lives, work, and artistry of
Salvadoran Americans has added strength, vitality, and purpose
to that tapestry; and

WHEREAS, The maturing Salvadoran American community
continues to make great economic and cultural contributions to
daily life in this state; and

WHEREAS, Many of these admirable individuals actively
participate in the state educational system, further promoting their
sense of American pride within the California community; and

WHEREAS, The strengths of the Salvadoran American culture
can be preserved and passed on to future generations; and

WHEREAS, Salvadoran American families, communities, and
the generations that follow are committed to maintain both
Salvadoran and American cultures, while promoting cultural
interchange; and

WHEREAS, September 2015 marks 194 years of independence
for the country of El Salvador; and

WHEREAS, Free of prejudices and as proud men and women,
Salvadoran Americans participate in and contribute to the
integration of the social, educational, professional, and political
arena in California; now, therefore, be it

Resolved, by the Assembly of the State of California, the Senate
thereof concurring, That the Legislature hereby declares September
6, 2015, as Salvadoran American Day and recognizes the rich
heritage of Salvadoran Americans throughout California; and be
it further

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