BILL NUMBER: SR 39 INTRODUCED
BILL TEXT
INTRODUCED BY Senators Hall, De León, Galgiani, Glazer, Hueso,
Jackson, Lara, Mendoza, Mitchell, and Pan
JULY 8, 2015
Relative to immigration.
LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST
HOUSE OR SENATE RESOLUTIONS DO NOT CONTAIN A DIGEST
WHEREAS, The United States of America was founded on the
principles of liberty and justice, and these principles enshrined in
our Declaration of Independence the self-evident truth that all
persons are created equal; and
WHEREAS, The United States was and continues to be built by people
of all ethnic, racial, gender, religious, and socioeconomic
backgrounds and is celebrated for its tolerance, diversity, and
freedom; and
WHEREAS, California is home to the largest population of
immigrants in the United States whose contributions help to drive
this state to be the most economically successful and prosperous in
the nation; and
WHEREAS, Immigrants continue to develop and expand businesses,
innovate, strengthen our economy, and create jobs in California; and
WHEREAS, A study by the University of California, Los Angeles,
states that legalizing the status of undocumented immigrants working
and living in the United States would create approximately $1.5
trillion in additional gross domestic product growth over the next 10
years and increase wages for all workers; and
WHEREAS, Immigrants fundamentally enrich the extraordinary
character of our nation with their unique cultures, heritages, and
experiences; and
WHEREAS, California's short-term and long-term economic and social
health, security, and prosperity require policies that allow
individuals to become legal and enfranchised participants in our
society and economy; and
WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of California has officially
recognized the value and importance of immigrants in California
through the unanimous, bipartisan support of Senate Joint Resolution
2, and Senate Resolution 35; and
WHEREAS, The California State Legislature has engaged in
thoughtful, respectful discourse on immigration and other challenging
issues, often uniting in bipartisan support and always respecting
the diverse individual views and beliefs of the membership and of the
people they represent; and
WHEREAS, In 2015, the United States has experienced many historic
changes promoting civil rights and progressive social change
throughout the nation; and
WHEREAS, In 2015, the United States has also experienced tragic
events that remind us that more work is needed to achieve equality
and justice for all persons; and
WHEREAS, Recent events throughout the country have moved the
nation to engage in meaningful public dialogue on issues including
racial equality, gender equality, LGBT equality, immigration, and
other civil rights; and
WHEREAS, Negative, demonizing, and stereotypical rhetoric has no
place in the national political discourse; and
WHEREAS, Racist, hateful speech can incite severe and tragic
consequences; and
WHEREAS, Aspiring national leaders, in particular, have a
responsibility to engage the public on immigration reform and other
issues in a thoughtful and respectful way without disparaging or
negatively stereotyping communities or individuals; and
WHEREAS, Presidential candidates including Donald Trump and Ted
Cruz have unfairly demonized and falsely blamed undocumented
immigrant families for a range of problems and challenges facing the
United States; and
WHEREAS, Presidential candidate Donald Trump recently stated that,
"When Mexico sends its people, they're not sending their best. They'
re sending people that have lots of problems, and they're bringing
those problems with us. They're bringing drugs. They're bringing
crime. They're rapists,"; and
WHEREAS, Presidential candidate Ted Cruz has defended Presidential
candidate Donald Trump's racist remarks against immigrant families
and people of Mexican descent; and
WHEREAS, Presidential candidate Ted Cruz characterized United
States immigration as "policies that] have encouraged drug
smugglers, child abusers, murderers, and other dangerous criminals";
now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the Senate of the State of California, That the Senate
condemns discrimination in any form on the basis of race, ethnicity,
national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, or
disability; and be it further
Resolved, That the Senate calls for an end to hate speech and
racist rhetoric by all presidential candidates; and be it further
Resolved, That the Senate condemns in the strongest terms possible
the racist rhetoric against immigrant families made by Presidential
candidate Ted Cruz; and be it further
Resolved, That the Senate condemns in the strongest terms possible
the racist rhetoric against immigrant families made by Presidential
candidate Donald Trump; and be it further
Resolved, That the Senate calls upon the State of California to
divest from Donald Trump, The Trump Organization, and any affiliated
entities; and be it further
Resolved, That the Senate calls upon private businesses and
individuals throughout California to end all business ties with
Donald Trump, The Trump Organization, and any affiliated entities;
and be it further
Resolved, That the Secretary of the Senate transmit copies of this
resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.