BILL ANALYSIS Ó HR 62 Page 1 Date of Hearing: August 25, 2016 ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON ARTS, ENTERTAINMENT, SPORTS, TOURISM, AND INTERNET MEDIA Kansen Chu, Chair HR 62 (Achadjian) - As Amended August 22, 2016 SUBJECT: The Navasartian Games. SUMMARY: Expresses the Assembly's recognition of the Navasartian Games' impact on Armenian American youth living in California and throughout the United States. Specifically, this Resolution makes the following findings and declarations: 1)The Armenian General Athletic Union and Scouts, referred to as Homenetmen, is a nonprofit organization with 30,000 members in five continents. Homenetmen was founded in 1918, and currently has 18 chapters with over 7,000 members in the Western Region of the United States. 2)It is Homenetmen's mission to prepare exemplary and law abiding citizens by providing physical and health education, endowing the mind and soul with the finest spirit of sportsmanship, and developing and understanding responsibility and honor. HR 62 Page 2 3)Since the first chapter in the United States was established in Los Angeles in 1968, Homenetmen has provided Armenian American youth with moral, physical, and social education and has exposed the youth to the Armenian culture and heritage. The Homenetmen experience is one of lasting association, altruism, and benevolence, and Homenetmen's motto, "Elevate yourself and others with you," is a constant reminder of the fundamental objective of this organization. 4)Homenetmen in the Western United States has over 3,200 athletic members who compete in local league competitions as well as major regional athletic programs. These programs are organized and implemented with the help of many selfless parent volunteers who help put programs together for basketball, volleyball, soccer, track and field, tennis, swimming, gymnastics, chess, karate, and table tennis 5)The Homenetmen athletic program epitomizes the spirit of competition, sportsmanship, and teamwork, while it instills a strong sense of individual identity. 6)The Homenetmen scouting program provides the Armenian American youth with moral, physical, and social education, exposes scouts to the wealth and treasure of the Armenian culture and heritage, and strives to prepare outstanding law abiding Armenian American citizens. 7)Among the most prestigious medals that any Homenetmen scout is HR 62 Page 3 able to earn is the St. Mesrob emblem. Introduced in conjunction with the Western Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church and the Boy Scouts of America, this emblem honors the fifth century inventor of the Armenian alphabet, Mesrop Mashtots. 8)The annual Navasartian Games, Homenetmen's largest athletic event, comprise numerous sports, including basketball, volleyball, soccer, ping pong, track and field, swimming, chess, and softball. FISCAL EFFECT: None. COMMENTS: According to the author, "Each year, the Navasartian Games bring together over 3,000 Armenian youth to compete in a number of sports including basketball, volleyball, swimming, and softball. The Games are hosted by the Homenetmen organization whose mission is to prepare outstanding law abiding citizens by providing Armenian American youth with moral, physical, and social education. HR 62 recognizes the significance of youth sports and the impact of the Navasartian Games on Armenian American youth living in California and throughout the United States." REGISTERED SUPPORT / OPPOSITION: Support There is no support on file. HR 62 Page 4 Opposition There is no opposition on file. Analysis Prepared by:Dana Mitchell / A.,E.,S.,T., & I.M. / (916) 319-3450