THIRD READING

Bill No: ACR 58

Author: Reyes (D), et al.

Introduced: 4/13/23

Vote: 21

ASSEMBLY FLOOR: 79-0, 4/27/23 (Consent) - See last page for vote

SUBJECT: Arab American Heritage Month

SOURCE: Author

DIGEST:

This resolution designates the month of April of each year as Arab American Heritage Month.

ANALYSIS: This resolution makes the following legislative findings:

It is appropriate and right to celebrate a diversity of cultures and heritages, and such celebration serves as a reminder that despite our differing backgrounds, everyone in California is bound by a common hope for a better and more inclusive future for our children.
For over a century, Arab Americans have been making valuable contributions to virtually every aspect of American society, including medicine, law, business, education, science, technology, government, arts, and culture.
Arab Americans have a long and proud history of serving in the United States Armed Forces. From World War I to the present day, tens of thousands of Arab Americans have put their lives on the line to defend our nation.
The history of Arab Americans in the United States remains neglected or defaced by misconceptions, bigotry, and anti-Arab hate in the forms of crimes and speech.
People of Arab descent have shared their rich culture, strong work ethic, and dedication to education while embracing the American spirit of opportunity and helping us build a better nation and state for all.

This resolution designates the month of April of each year as Arab American Heritage Month to be observed throughout the state as a month to recognize the valuable contributions of Arab Americans to this state and to the various aspects of American society.

Related/Prior Legislation

The following are the most recent measures designating the Arab American Heritage Month.

SCR 105 (Newman, Resolution Chapter 109, Statutes of 2022).
ACR 185 (Quirk-Silva, Resolution Chapter 72, Statutes of 2022).
SCR 31 (Newman, Resolution Chapter 67, Statutes of 2021).
SCR 22 (Chang, Resolution Chapter 38, Statutes of 2019).

FISCAL EFFECT: Appropriation: No Fiscal Com.: No Local: No

SUPPORT: (Verified 5/9/23)

Arab America Foundation

OPPOSITION: (Verified 5/9/23)

None received

ARGUMENTS IN SUPPORT: The Arab America Foundation writes in support:

By designating April as Arab American Heritage Month, California has an opportunity to acknowledge and celebrate the Arab American community's contributions to the state and the country. It also provides an opportunity to educate the public about Arab American culture, history, and traditions, which have often been misunderstood or misrepresented.

Furthermore, by passing this resolution, California can send a powerful message of inclusivity and diversity, reaffirming the state's commitment to promoting equality and respect for all its citizens, regardless of their ethnic or cultural background.

ASSEMBLY FLOOR: 79-0, 4/27/23

AYES: Addis, Aguiar-Curry, Alanis, Alvarez, Arambula, Bains, Bauer-Kahan, Bennett, Berman, Boerner, Bonta, Bryan, Calderon, Juan Carrillo, Wendy Carrillo, Cervantes, Chen, Connolly, Megan Dahle, Davies, Dixon, Essayli, Flora, Mike Fong, Vince Fong, Friedman, Gabriel, Gallagher, Garcia, Gipson, Grayson, Haney, Hart, Holden, Hoover, Irwin, Jackson, Jones-Sawyer, Kalra, Lackey, Lee, Low, Lowenthal, Maienschein, Mathis, McCarty, McKinnor, Muratsuchi, Stephanie Nguyen, Ortega, Pacheco, Papan, Joe Patterson, Pellerin, Petrie-Norris, Quirk-Silva, Ramos, Reyes, Luz Rivas, Robert Rivas, Rodriguez, Blanca Rubio, Sanchez, Santiago, Schiavo, Soria, Ta, Ting, Valencia, Villapudua, Waldron, Wallis, Ward, Weber, Wicks, Wilson, Wood, Zbur, Rendon

NO VOTE RECORDED: Jim Patterson

Prepared by: Karen Chow / SFA / (916) 651-1520

5/10/23 15:19:58

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ACR 58: Arab American Heritage Month.

Current Status:

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