BILL ANALYSIS Ó SCR 39 Page 1 Date of Hearing: June 15, 2015 ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON RULES Richard Gordon, Chair SCR 39 (Block) - As Introduced April 9, 2015 SENATE VOTE: 36-0 SUBJECT: Jewish American Heritage Month. SUMMARY: Recognizes May 2015 as Jewish American heritage Month, encourages all Californians to participate in appropriate observances with activities that celebrate and commemorate Jewish American Heritage Month. Specifically, this resolution makes the following legislative findings: 1)For thousands of years, the Jewish people have sustained their identity and traditions while persevering in the face of persecution, enslavement, years of wandering, forced segregation, and the horrors of the Holocaust. 2)Ever since the first Dutch Jew set foot in New Amsterdam in 1654, Jews have been contributing bountifully to the culture and history of the United States, have achieved great success, strengthened the country, and helped shape the American way of life through their deep commitment to faith, family, and community. SCR 39 Page 2 3)Jewish Americans have continued their strong support for ending discrimination in voting, employment, public accommodation, and in society at large, by prominently participating in virtually every civil rights effort in the American experience, including those for women, farmworkers, the disabled, and for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender Americans. 4)Jewish American Heritage Month is the time when the rich history of Jewish Americans is celebrated and their contributions to this nation are honored, and also an opportunity to remember and thank the many Jewish Americans who defend this nation's ideals as members of the United States Armed Forces. 5)Jewish Americans continue to guide the nation's progress as scientists, teachers, entrepreneurs, public servants, private citizens, leaders, and parents. FISCAL EFFECT: None REGISTERED SUPPORT / OPPOSITION: Support None on file Opposition SCR 39 Page 3 None on file Analysis Prepared by:Nicole Willis / RLS. / (916) 319-2800