BILL ANALYSIS                                                                                                                                                                                                    �



                                                                  ACR 163
                                                                  Page  1

          Date of Hearing:   August 14, 2012

                       ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON VETERANS AFFAIRS
                                 Paul J. Cook, Chair
                    ACR 163 (Cook) - As Introduced:  June 25, 2012
           
          SUBJECT  :   California Vietnam Veterans Memorial

           SUMMARY  :   This measure recognizes the 25th anniversary of the 
          California Vietnam Veterans Memorial in the Capitol Park, 
          Sacramento (Memorial).  Specifically,  this bill  :  

             1.   Recognizes the 25th anniversary of the Memorial on 
               November 23, 2013;

             2.   Urges that all steps necessary to inform all 
               Californians of the date of these ceremonies and locations 
               of these events be taken; 

             3.   Resolves that the Department of Veterans Affairs and all 
               state agencies shall assist in informing Californians and 
               provide assistance to the organizers of the 25th 
               anniversary commemoration event;

             4.   Resolves that the state archives display memorabilia 
               that have been left at the Memorial since the memorial was 
               dedicated, and that are currently in the state archives, in 
               a special display for 2013 on the Vietnam War;

             5.   States that the Department of Veterans Affairs should 
               establish a task force to compile a list of California 
               servicemen and servicewomen whose names may not be 
               currently listed on the Memorial so that they can be added 
               to it;

             6.   States that names should be added to the Memorial of 
               California Vietnam veterans whose passing since their 
               service in Vietnam can reasonably be attributed to their 
               wartime service, based upon recommendations from interested 
               parties;

             7.   Resolves that the California State Military Museum 
               prepare and display exhibits on the Vietnam War at the 
               Department of Veterans Affairs and the Capitol;









                                                                  ACR 163
                                                                  Page  2

             8.   That all state agencies shall promote the memorial event 
               and honor men and women who are Vietnam War veterans; and 

             9.   Resolves that that the Legislature calls upon the 
               Governor to issue a proclamation on November 23, 2013, 
               commemorating the 25th anniversary of the Memorial.

           FISCAL EFFECT  :   Unknown at this time. The bill is keyed fiscal.

           COMMENTS  :   Vietnam veterans did not receive the same kind of 
          recognition and public support for their sacrifices that 
          veterans of other conflicts did.  The establishment of the 
          California Vietnam Memorial was an important public recognition 
          of the sacrifice made by California Vietnam veterans. Though the 
          War ended nearly forty years ago, an event such as contemplated 
          by this resolution demonstrates our state's continuing memory of 
          the Vietnam War and also shows the veterans of our now more than 
          ten years of conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan that we do not 
          forget those who serve. 

           REGISTERED SUPPORT / OPPOSITION  :   

           Support 
           
          None at this time.

           Opposition 
           
          None at this time.
           
          Analysis Prepared by  :    John Spangler / V. A. / (916) 319-3550