BILL ANALYSIS Ó
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Date of Hearing: June 30, 2015
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON VETERANS AFFAIRS
Jacqui Irwin, Chair
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50 (Nielsen) - As Introduced April 29, 2015
SENATE VOTE: 36-0
SUBJECT: World War II Remembrance Month.
SUMMARY: This measure:
1)Urges the Governor to proclaim the month of June 2015 as World
War II Remembrance Month, and call upon all Californians to
observe the 70th anniversary of the end of the war.
2)Makes the following legislative findings:
a) 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
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Germany and the Empire of Japan.
b) On December 11, 1941, four days after the Japanese
attack on Pearl Harbor, Germany and Italy declared war on
the United States.
c) 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.
d) Germany surrendered unconditionally to the Western
Allies at Reims on May 7, 1945, and to the Soviet Union on
May 9, 1945, in Berlin.
e) 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.
f) 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.
EXISTING LAW: None applicable.
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FISCAL EFFECT: This measure is not keyed fiscal.
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. 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
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the two recognized days and suitable to serve as a sole month
of remembrance.
REGISTERED SUPPORT / OPPOSITION:
Support
None on file.
Opposition
None on file.
Analysis Prepared by:John Spangler / V.A. / (916)
319-3550
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