[Filed with Secretary of State June 17, 2014.]
ACR 127, Bonta. Bataan Death March Veterans Commemoration Day.
This measure would declare April 9, 2014, and every April 9 thereafter, as Bataan Death March Veterans Commemoration Day.
WHEREAS, On April 9, 1942, during World War II, the Japanese Army forced 78,000 Filipino and American soldiers to march 82 miles from Bataan to Camp O’Donnell; and
WHEREAS, These soldiers endured brutal conditions and suffered heinous war crimes along the march; and
WHEREAS, Approximately 10,000 soldiers, both Filipino and American, lost their lives during the march; and
WHEREAS, The Bataan Death March was the greatest loss of American and Filipino prisoners of war during World War II; and
WHEREAS, Many survivors were forced to labor in prison camps in the Philippines and Japan while prisoners of war; and
WHEREAS, Californians owe a debt of gratitude to the soldiers who gave up their freedom and perished in service of their countries to preserve our freedoms and our lives; and
WHEREAS, Knowledge of this historic event is passing out of living memory as survivors pass away; and
WHEREAS, The sacrifices made by American and Filipino veterans during the Bataan Death March have received little state recognition in California; and
WHEREAS, The United States Federal Government annually recognizes April 9 as National Former Prisoner of War Day; now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the Assembly of the State of California, the Senate thereof concurring, That the Legislature declares that a day be set aside for appreciation of the veterans of the Bataan Death March and a memoriam of the deceased; and be it further
Resolved, That April 9, 2014, and each ninth day of April hereafter, is hereby designated and commemorated as Bataan Death March Veterans Commemoration Day; and be it further
Resolved, That the Chief Clerk of the Assembly transmit copies of this resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.
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