BILL ANALYSIS Ó
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|SENATE RULES COMMITTEE | SR 54|
|Office of Senate Floor Analyses | |
|(916) 651-1520 Fax: (916) | |
|327-4478 | |
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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
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