BILL ANALYSIS Ó SCR 50 Page 1 SENATE THIRD READING SCR 50 (Nielsen) As Introduced April 29, 2015 Majority vote SENATE VOTE: 36-0 ------------------------------------------------------------------ |Committee |Votes|Ayes |Noes | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |----------------+-----+----------------------+--------------------| |Veterans |8-0 |Irwin, Mathis, Alejo, | | |Affairs | |Brough, Brown, Daly, | | | | |Frazier, Salas | | | | | | | | | | | | ------------------------------------------------------------------ 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: SCR 50 Page 2 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 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. SCR 50 Page 3 EXISTING LAW: None applicable. FISCAL EFFECT: None. This measured is keyed non-fiscal by the Legislative Counsel. COMMENTS: According to the author: World War II was one of the great historical watersheds in United States (U.S.) 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. Victory 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. SCR 50 Page 4 Analysis Prepared by: John Spangler / V.A. / (916) 319-3550 FN: 0001123