BILL ANALYSIS Ó ACR 118 Page 1 Date of Hearing: January 21, 2016 ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON RULES Gordon, Chair ACR 118 (McCarty) - As Introduced January 13, 2016 SUBJECT: Black History Month. SUMMARY: This bill recognizes February 2016 as Black History Month, urges all residents to join in celebrating the accomplishments of African Americans during Black History Month, and encourages the people of California to recognize the many talents, achievements, and contributions that African Americans make to their communities. Specifically, this resolution makes the following legislative findings: 1. In 1926, Dr. Carter Godwin Woodson founded Negro History Week, which became Black History Month in 1976, intended to encourage further research and publishing regarding the untold stories of African American heritage. 2. The history of African Americans here in the U.S., as well as throughout the ages, is indeed unique and vibrant, and it is appropriate to celebrate this history during the month of February 2016, which has been proclaimed as Black History Month. 3. There is even greater cause for a reverent celebration in 2016 as Americans reflect on the significance of the 150th anniversary of the proposal of the Fourteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution, which granted due process and equal protection under the law to all citizens, and at the same time granted citizenship to African Americans. ACR 118 Page 2 4. From the earliest days of the U.S., the course of its history has been greatly influenced by Black heroes and pioneers in many diverse areas, from science, medicine, business, and education to government, industry, and social leadership. 5. A number of these brave and accomplished individuals, such as Booker T. Washington, George Washington Carver, Matthew Hansen, Daniel Hale Williams, Dr. Charles Drew, Jackie Robinson, Jesse Owens, Curt Flood, Medgar Evers, and, of course, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., are noted prominently in the history books of students nationwide, thus enabling them to learn about the important and lasting contributions of these individuals. FISCAL EFFECT: None REGISTERED SUPPORT / OPPOSITION: Support None on file Opposition None on file Analysis Prepared by:Nicole Willis / RLS. / (916) 319-2800 ACR 118 Page 3