SCR 141: Slavic Heritage Day.

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 Californias performing arts, entertainment, and sports have reshaped the states 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 nations 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.