BILL ANALYSIS Ó ----------------------------------------------------------------- |SENATE RULES COMMITTEE | SR 54| |Office of Senate Floor Analyses | | |(916) 651-1520 Fax: (916) | | |327-4478 | | ----------------------------------------------------------------- THIRD READING Bill No: SR 54 Author: Hall (D) and Mitchell (D) Introduced:1/4/16 Vote: Majority SUBJECT: Black History Month SOURCE: Author DIGEST: This resolution recognizes February 2016 as Black History Month. ANALYSIS: This resolution makes the following legislative findings: 1)Dr. Carter Godwin Woodson, distinguished African American author, editor, publisher, and historian, who is known as the "Father of Black History," founded Negro History Week in 1926, which became Black History Month in 1976, intended to encourage further research and publishing regarding the untold stories of African American heritage. 2)The history of African Americans here in the U.S., as well as throughout the ages, is indeed unique and vibrant, and it is appropriate to celebrate this history during the month of February 2016, which has been proclaimed as Black History Month. 3)There is even greater cause for reverent celebration in 2016 as Americans reflect on the significance of the 150th anniversary of the proposal of the Fourteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution, which granted due process and equal protection under the law to all citizens, and at the SR 54 Page 2 same time granted citizenship to African Americans. 4)The first American to shed blood in the revolution that freed America from British rule was Crispus Attucks (March 5, 1770, Boston Massacre), an African American seaman and slave. African Americans also fought in various wars, including the Battles of Lexington and Concord in April 1775, the Battle of Rhode Island on August 29, 1778, the battles of Ticonderoga, White Plains, Bennington, Brandywine, Saratoga, Savannah, Yorktown, Bunker Hill, and other revolutionary war battles; the War of 1812, including the Battle of New Orleans; the Civil War; the Spanish-American War; World Wars I and II Korea; and the Vietnam War. 5)From the earliest days of the U.S., the course of its history has been greatly influenced by Black heroes and pioneers in many diverse areas, from science, medicine, business, and education, to government, industry, and social leadership. 6)A number of these brave and accomplished individuals, such as Booker T. Washington, George Washington Carver, Matthew Hansen, Daniel Hale Williams, Dr. Charles Drew, Jackie Robinson, Jesse Owens, Curt Flood, Medgar Evers, and, of course, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., are noted prominently in the history books of students nationwide, thus enabling them to learn about the important and lasting contributions of these individuals. This resolution recognizes February 2016 as Black History Month, urges all citizens to join in celebrating the accomplishments of African Americans during Black History Month, and encourages the people of California to recognize the many talents, achievements, and contributions that African Americans make to their communities. Related Legislation SCR 76 (Mitchell, 2014) recognized February 2014 as Black History Month. This resolution died in Assembly Rules Committee. SR 54 Page 3 ACR 9 (Mitchell, Resolution Chapter 8, Statutes of 2013) recognized February 2013 as Black History Month. SR 24 (Price, 2012) recognized February 2012 as Black History Month. The resolution was adopted by the Senate. FISCAL EFFECT: Appropriation: No Fiscal Com.:NoLocal: No SUPPORT: (Verified1/27/16) None received OPPOSITION: (Verified1/27/16) None received Prepared by: Jonas Austin / SFA / (916) 651-1520 1/29/16 11:24:26 **** END ****