Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 141

Introduced by Senator Nielsen

(Coauthors: Senators Anderson, Bates, Gaines, Pan, Stone, and Vidak)

(Coauthors: Assembly Members Dodd, Beth Gaines, and Gallagher)

May 9, 2016

Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 141—Relative to Slavic Heritage Day.

LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL’S DIGEST

SCR 141, as introduced, Nielsen. Slavic Heritage Day.

This measure would recognize May 24, 2016, as Slavic Heritage Day.

Fiscal committee: no.

WHEREAS, For thousands of years, the Slavic people have
sustained a cultural diversity that showcases the rich traditions of
the Slavic ethnicities represented within the modern-day European
nations of Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina,
Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Macedonia, Montenegro,
Poland, Serbia, Slovakia, and Slovenia; and

WHEREAS, Since the first Slavic settlers and traders set foot
in what is now Alaska and settled on the Aleutian island of Kodiak
in 1784, the Slavic people have been contributing bountifully to
the culture and history of the United States and have achieved
great success, strengthened the country, and helped shape the
American way of life through their deep commitment to faith,
family, and community; and

WHEREAS, When the first Slavic settlers came to this country,
they sought a place of promise where they could live in peace,
enjoy liberty, and economically prosper; and

WHEREAS, During the 19th century a number of Slavic
immigrants entered the United States as indentured servants who
were bonded to their masters and worked in mines, mills, or
sweatshops or as servants to end their indenture and earn their
freedom; and

WHEREAS, Whether Slavic immigrants were fleeing oppression
or persecution or simply pursuing better lives for themselves and
their families, the desire to live in peace and eventually enjoy
liberty was so dearly valued that it drew generations of Slavic
immigrants to the United States in an effort to rebuild their lives;
and

WHEREAS, With longstanding roots in California that date
back more than 200 years with the establishment of colonies
including Fort Ross in 1812 by Russian settlers, the Slavic
community has forged its influence on the state through providing
support to settlers, crafts, technologies, and commercial enterprise;
and

WHEREAS, The Slavic American community has brought
invaluable cultural contributions to California by introducing its
rich culture, literature, and alphabet, which traces its origins to
ninth century Bulgaria, and these contributions have enhanced the
diversity and progress, as well as the cultural heritage, that the
state has and will continue to enjoy; and

WHEREAS, Slavic figure skaters, ballet dancers, symphony
orchestra conductors, composers and musicians, dancing bears,
literature, dramatic theatrical performances, and American
thespians such as Marilyn Monroe, Clint Eastwood, and Jack
Nicholson who were influenced by the methods of renowned Slavic
coaches which permeated Hollywood films and the Broadway
stage are ubiquitous in contemporary American life; and

WHEREAS, Renowned Hollywood film creators, including
Alfred Hitchcock and Francis Ford Coppola, have cited their
inspiration for film editing and montage sequences from Slavic
film directors, and those influences continue to this day in modern
filmmaking, animation, and documentary films; and

WHEREAS, The inescapable influences of Slavic culture upon
California’s performing arts, entertainment, and sports have
reshaped the state’s culture through classical dance, the San
Francisco Ballet Company, and musical compositions through
Hollywood sound studios; and

WHEREAS, Slavic Heritage Day is the time when the rich
history of Slavic Americans is celebrated and their contributions
to this nation are honored; and

WHEREAS, Slavic Americans have continued their strong
support for liberty and ending discrimination in voting,
employment, public accommodation, and in society at large by
prominently participating in virtually every civil rights effort in
the American experience, including those for women, farmworkers,
and the disabled; and

WHEREAS, As a nation of immigrants, the United States is
better and stronger because Slavic people from all over the world
have chosen to become American citizens; and

WHEREAS, To collectively advance the participation of Slavic
American businesses and ventures, the Slavic American Chamber
of Commerce was established with the mission to provide services
for, and facilitate the growth and success of, businesses that serve
the Slavic American community throughout California; and

WHEREAS, Slavic Americans continue to guide the nation’s
progress as scientists, teachers, entrepreneurs, public servants,
private citizens, leaders, and parents; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the Senate of the State of California, the Assembly
thereof concurring, That the Legislature recognizes May 24, 2016,
as Slavic Heritage Day, encourages all Californians to participate
in appropriate observances with activities that celebrate and
commemorate Slavic Heritage Day, and commends Slavic
Americans for their notable accomplishments and outstanding
service to the state and the nation; and be it further

Resolved, That the Secretary of the Senate transmit copies of
this resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.