BILL ANALYSIS Ó
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|SENATE RULES COMMITTEE | SCR 50|
|Office of Senate Floor Analyses | |
|(916) 651-1520 Fax: (916) | |
|327-4478 | |
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THIRD READING
Bill No: SCR 50
Author: Nielsen (R)
Introduced:4/29/15
Vote: 21
SUBJECT: World War II Remembrance Month
SOURCE: Author
DIGEST: This resolution urges the Governor to proclaim the
month of June 2015 as World War II Remembrance Month, and calls
upon all Californians to observe the 70th anniversary of the end
of the war.
ANALYSIS: This resolution makes the following legislative
findings:
1)The Second World War, which lasted from 1939 to 1945, was the
most widespread war in human history, directly involving more
than 100 million people from more than 30 different countries,
which were split between two opposing military alliances-the
Allies, led by the United States of America and the United
Kingdom, and the Axis, led by Nazi Germany and the Empire of
Japan.
2)On December 11, 1941, four days after the Japanese attack on
Pearl Harbor, Germany and Italy declared war on the United
States.
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3)The Axis powers initiated military aggression and maintained
the strategic momentum until gradually slowed by Allied
resistance in late 1942 and 1943, after which the Allies
reversed the momentum and commenced operations to liberate
Axis-conquered lands.
4)Germany surrendered unconditionally to the Western Allies at
Reims on May 7, 1945, and to the Soviet Union on May 9, 1945,
in Berlin.
5)President of the United States Harry S. Truman declared May 8,
1945, "V-E Day," marking the end of World War II in Europe,
although the war with Japan continued until August 14, 1945.
6)During World War II, an estimated 292,000 members of the
United States Armed Forces were killed in action and more than
400,000 members of the United States Armed Forces died.
This resolution:
1)Calls upon all Californians to observe the 70th anniversary of
the end of the Second World War, and urges them to observe the
anniversary with appropriate ceremonies and activities that
honor and give thanks to the Californians and other Americans
who fought in the war, both those who survived its horrific
rigors and those who fell in the service of freedom.
2)Urges the Governor to proclaim the month of June 2015 as World
War II Remembrance Month.
Comments
According to the author:
World War Two was one of the great historical watersheds in
United States history. The events that occurred during and
after the war emplaced the U.S. as the dominant global
military and economic superpower, which it remains today.
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This war forced the U.S. to transform from a still largely
agricultural economy into an industrial manufacturing
colossus.
In turn, California was transformed during the post-WWII
era by the resulting changes in economic and political
balance and the enormous swell of immigration that came to
the state as people around the world sought economic
opportunity and political freedom in the most
opportunity-laden state in the most opportunity-laden
nation.
Victor in Europe (V-E) Day is recognized annually by the
U.S. on May 8, the calendar day in 1945 on which German
forces surrendered to the Allies. The Japanese fought on
alone until August 1945, and Victory over Japan (V-J) Day
is recognized on August 14. The month of June is
approximately midway between the two recognized days and
suitable to serve as a sole month of remembrance.
FISCAL EFFECT: Appropriation: No Fiscal
Com.:NoLocal: No
SUPPORT: (Verified5/5/15)
None received
OPPOSITION: (Verified5/5/15)
None received
Prepared by: Jonas Austin / SFA / (916) 651-1520
5/6/15 16:49:59
**** END ****
SCR 50
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