BILL ANALYSIS                                                                                                                                                                                                    �



                                                                      



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                                 THIRD READING


          Bill No:  ACR 160
          Author:   Carter (D), et al.
          Amended:  8/6/12 in Assembly
          Vote:     21

           
           SUBJECT  :    Kwanzaa

           SOURCE  :     Author


           DIGEST  :    This resolution commemorates the 45th 
          anniversary of Kwanzaa and proclaims December 26 through 
          January 1 each year as Kwanzaa Week in recognition and 
          respect of the cultural significance of this holiday to 
          African people throughout the world.

           ANALYSIS  :    This resolution makes the following 
          legislative findings: 

          1. Kwanzaa is an African American and Pan-African holiday 
             created in 1966 in order to reaffirm African Americans' 
             rootedness in African culture, to provide a context for 
             Africans around the world to come together and reinforce 
             the bonds between them, to introduce the Nguzo Saba, and 
             to reaffirm the importance of African communitarian 
             values which stress and strengthen family, community, 
             and culture. 

          2. Kwanzaa, derived from a Swahili phrase which means 
             "first fruits," is a cultural holiday open to and 
             practiced by Africans of all religious faiths from 
             December 26 to January 1 each year; and, first-fruits 
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             celebrations are recorded in African history as early as 
             ancient Egypt and Nubia. 

          3. The Kwanza celebration with its emphasis on history, 
             values, family, community, and culture, speaks to 
             African people throughout the world in a special way; 
             and, it is important to commemorate Kwanzaa as a 
             celebration that strengthens the sense of rootedness in 
             the best of African culture, thereby strengthening the 
             bonds of community and allowing for a reaffirmation of 
             common identity.

           FISCAL EFFECT  :    Fiscal Com.:  No


          RM:k  8/28/12   Senate Floor Analyses 

                       SUPPORT/OPPOSITION:  NONE RECEIVED

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