SR 42

WHEREAS, SPAM, the ready-to-eat, affordable, canned pork luncheon meat, was created by the Hormel Foods Corporation in 1937; and

WHEREAS, SPAM has a salty, delicious taste that can be enjoyed in various dishes or on its own; and

WHEREAS, SPAM was introduced to America on July 5, 1937; and

WHEREAS, The United States Army used SPAM widely, with over 100,000,000 pounds shipped overseas to feed allied troops during World War II, popularizing SPAM in United States territories and bases; and

WHEREAS, Guam residents consume an average of 16 cans of SPAM per person annually; and

WHEREAS, Hawaii consumes 7,000,000 cans of SPAM products annually; and

WHEREAS, SPAM was introduced to South Korea by the United States Army during the Korean War when food was scarce, and meat was even scarcer; and

WHEREAS, Today, SPAM is one of the most desirable gifts one could receive in South Korea; and

WHEREAS, In Southeast Asia, SPAM products are given as a luxury gift; and

WHEREAS, SPAM musubia culinary dish prepared with grilled SPAM, nori, and riceis an iconic Asian American culinary fusion dish, and is beloved in California and elsewhere; and

WHEREAS, There are 12.8 cans of SPAM products eaten every second; and

WHEREAS, Over eight billion cans of SPAM have been sold since the Hormel Foods Corporation created and introduced SPAM; and

WHEREAS, Currently, SPAM is sold in 44 countries throughout the world; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the Senate of the State of California, That the Senate hereby recognizes July 5, 2021, as the 84th anniversary of the introduction of SPAM to the United States; and be it further

Resolved, That the Senate celebrates SPAM as an integral part of both American and Asian American and Pacific Islander culture; and be it further

Resolved, That the Secretary of the Senate transmit copies of this resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.