BILL ANALYSIS Ó
SCR 62
Page 1
Date of Hearing: June 11, 2015
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON RULES
Richard Gordon, Chair
SCR
62 (Mendoza) - As Amended June 9, 2015
SENATE VOTE: 39-0
SUBJECT: Portugal Day.
SUMMARY: Declares June 10, 2015, as Portugal Day to celebrate
Portuguese national heritage. Specifically, this resolution
makes the following legislative findings:
1)In September 1542, Portuguese explorer João Rodrigues Cabrilho
sailed a ship into San Diego Bay, becoming the first European
to explore the land now known as California. Cabrilho explored
the California coast, and is credited with numerous coastal
discoveries.
2)Between 1900 and 1940, as much as one-half of the Portuguese
community in California owned or operated a dairy farm, worked
on a dairy farm, or worked in a dairy-supporting industry.
Applying the Portuguese belief in hard work and thriftiness,
the Portuguese Americans were renowned for their work ethic
and ingenuity, often reinvesting in their own businesses by
buying more land and dairy cows.
SCR 62
Page 2
3)Portuguese Americans have made valuable and substantial
contributions to every facet of California life. Portuguese
Americans continue to thrive in agricultural communities of
the Santa Clara and San Joaquin Valleys. Today, over 350,000
Portuguese Americans reside in California.
4)Portuguese national literary icon Luís Vaz de Camões wrote
Portugal's national epic poem, Os Lusíadas, celebrating the
15th-century Portuguese explorations that brought fame and
fortune to the country. The poem, considered one of the finest
and most important works in Portuguese literature, became a
symbol for the great feats of the Portuguese Empire. Dia de
Portugal, de Camões e das Comunidades Portuguesas, translated
as "Day of Portugal, Camões, and the Portuguese Communities,"
commemorates the death of Luís de Camões on June 10, 1580.
FISCAL EFFECT: None
REGISTERED SUPPORT / OPPOSITION:
Support
None on file
Opposition
SCR 62
Page 3
None on file
Analysis Prepared by:Nicole Willis / RLS. / (916)
319-2800