BILL NUMBER: ACR 45	INTRODUCED
	BILL TEXT


INTRODUCED BY   Assembly Member Caballero

                        APRIL 9, 2007

   Relative to the 2007 State Scientist Day.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   ACR 45, as introduced, Caballero. The 2007 State scientist Day.
   This measure would proclaim May 23, 2007, as the 19th Annual State
Scientist Day.
   Fiscal committee: no.



   WHEREAS, The state employs nearly 3,000 professional scientists
working in over 30 state departments in 230 scientific
classifications; and
   WHEREAS, State scientists hold graduate degrees in virtually every
scientific discipline, including biology, nematology, virology,
seismology, epidemiology, toxicology, and several others; and
   WHEREAS, State scientists are represented by the California
Association of Professional Scientists (CAPS) which is dedicated to
professionalism, independence, responsible advocacy, and ensuring
that state scientists receive fair pay and benefits for their
important work; and
   WHEREAS, The work of state scientists protects the public from
life-threatening diseases, safeguards our wildlife and abundant
natural resources, and protects our air and water from toxic waste
and pollution; and
   WHEREAS, State scientists are required to make critical decisions
every day based on rigorous scientific fact-finding and these
decisions ultimately impact the lives and property of all
Californians; and
   WHEREAS, California's vital environmental, natural resource, and
public health protection programs are threatened by substandard state
scientific salaries because many state agencies cannot retain or
recruit skilled scientific professionals; and
   WHEREAS, If California loses our scientific expertise, the state
will be unarmed in the battles against greenhouse gas emissions, air
quality, and the overall protection of our children's health,
according to a 2006 Cal/EPA report; and
   WHEREAS, State scientists perform important work in the areas of
infectious disease prevention, oil spill prevention and response, the
monitoring of drinking water, the protection of crops, brownfield
cleanups, chemical and radiological disaster response, and much more;
and
   WHEREAS, State scientists host an annual State Scientist Day at
the State Capitol to increase public awareness and recognition of the
significant contributions made by scientists working in state
government while entertaining and educating over 2,000 elementary
school students with fun, hands-on science exhibits, including
digging for hidden artifacts, viewing live fish in a 1,500-gallon
tank, and playing Pollution Prevention "Wheel of Fortune" and Coastal
Creature "Jeopardy"; and
   WHEREAS, State Scientist Day has sparked an interest in science
for thousands of California school children, legislators, state
employees, and the public who attend the special event; and
   WHEREAS, The work of state scientists provides all Californians
with hope for clean food, safe homes, clean air and water, and a
healthy environment; now, therefore, be it
   Resolved by the Assembly of the State of California, the Senate
thereof concurring, That the Legislature of the State of California
hereby proclaims Wednesday, May 23, 2007, as the 19th Annual State
Scientist Day, and that this day shall be a tribute to the dedication
and professionalism of the state scientists who work on behalf of
all Californians; and be it further
   Resolved, That the Chief Clerk of the Assembly transmit copies of
this resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.