ACR 91: Portuguese Heritage Month: Day of Portugal: Day of the Azores.
- Session Year: 2025-2026
- House: Assembly
- Latest Version Date: 2025-07-03
Current Status:
Passed
(2025-07-03: Chaptered by Secretary of State - Res. Chapter 131, Statutes of 2025.)
Introduced
In Committee
Awaiting First Chamber Vote
Passed First Chamber
In Committee
Awaiting Second Chamber Vote
Passed Second Chamber
Enacted
What does this bill do?
Declares June 2025 to be Portuguese Heritage Month and recognizes June 10 as the Day of Portugal and June 9 as the Day of the Azores, honoring Californians of Portuguese and Azorean ancestry. The resolution highlights their long history and contributions to California in farming, fishing, culture, education, and public service.
The summary is provided by generative AI which can make mistakes. For original language, please view the details in the table below.
This measure would declare the month of June 2025 to be Portuguese Heritage Month and would recognize June 10 as the Day of Portugal and June 9 as the Day of the Azores.
This measure would declare the month of June 2025 to be Portuguese Heritage Month and would recognize June 10 as the Day of Portugal and June 9 as the Day of the Azores.
This measure would declare the month of June 2025 to be Portuguese Heritage Month and would recognize June 10 as the Day of Portugal and April 18 June 9 as the Day of the Azores.
This measure would declare the month of June 2025 to be Portuguese Heritage Month and would recognize June 10 as the Day of Portugal and April 18 as the Day of the Azores.
WHEREAS, Portuguese presence in California predates the establishment of California as a State in the Union; and
WHEREAS, The first Portuguese settlers came to California from the Azores Islands in the early 19th century. Waves of Azorean immigrants moved to California just before and during the 20th century, with the first wave of Azorean immigrants moving to California just before and after the turn of the 20th century, followed by the second and largest wave between 1958 and 1976, each contributing substantially to establishing agricultural operations, especially dairy, livestock, vegetable, fruit farms, and the tuna industry in southern California; and
WHEREAS, Throughout most of the 20th century, as many as one-half of all Portuguese Californians owned or operated a dairy farm, worked on a dairy farm, or worked in a dairy-related industry. Applying the Portuguese belief in hard work and thriftiness, along with additional labor from family members, Portuguese settlers could earn enough to reinvest in their businesses, and buy more land and cattle. Still today, Portuguese Americans in California continue to play an important role in agriculture and dairying, as proprietors and innovators; and
WHEREAS, Historically, California has been a popular destination for immigrants from the Azores Islands, creating strong cultural ties between the two regions; currently there are more than 350,000 persons of Portuguese heritage living in California, approximately 90 percent of whom have either come directly from the Azores Islands or are of Azorean ancestry; and
WHEREAS, In early 1855, the Old Company of Portuguese Whalers, a 15-member enterprise, was owned and operated by Azoreans in the City of Monterey, and, in the City of San Diego, Portuguese immigrants, mostly from the islands of the Azores and Madeira, had a prominent position in the tuna industry; and
WHEREAS, The Portuguese fraternal movement has played a role in the financial and cultural stability of the community, led today by two societies, the Portuguese Fraternal Society of America and the Luso-American Fraternal Federation, with headquarters in this state; and
WHEREAS, Portuguese language courses taught at community heritage schools, public elementary and high schools, community colleges, the California State University system, University of California campuses, and private colleges build cognizance of the importance of the Portuguese language as a world language and awareness to the contributions that Californians of Portuguese ancestry have given this state, as well as building exchanges with colleges and universities in Portugal, including the recently created Portuguese Beyond Borders Institute at the California State University, Fresno, with its new approach to conferences, oral history, research, academic publications, symposiums, exchange programs in agriculture, and community outreach, including the only Azorean Diaspora Center in the CSU system; and
WHEREAS, Californians of Portuguese ancestry came together in 2016 to create the California Portuguese American Coalition sponsored by the Luso-American Development Foundation to create a network of public servants of Portuguese ancestry and elected officials who represent areas where Californians of Portuguese ancestry live and contribute to our rich diversity and to encourage young Portuguese Americans to participate in our democracy through public service; and
WHEREAS, In March of 2018, Californians of Portuguese ancestry created the only strategic plan in the United States to teach the Portuguese language and cultures in California public and private schools, colleges, and universities in order to contribute to the rich linguistic and cultural diversity of our state and to foster a deeper connection to, and increase economic opportunities between, California and all the Portuguese-speaking countries throughout the world; and
WHEREAS, The State of California has a sister state relationship with the Autonomous Region of the Azores, adopted in 2002, and recently revised by working with a Friends of the Azores group to bring further development in not only cultural exchanges, but also in important areas such as renewable energy, sustainable agriculture, tourism, and technology; and
WHEREAS, Among the great Portuguese Americans who have contributed significantly to this country are: composer John Philip Sousa, best known for composing Stars and Stripes Forever; poet Emma Lazarus, best known for composing a sonnet about the Statue of Liberty, The New Colossus; and architect William L. Pereira, best known for designing the Transamerica Pyramid in San Francisco. Many Portuguese Americans have also served with distinction in local, state, and federal office, and have served proudly in this countrys military; and
WHEREAS, Portuguese Americans have made valuable and substantial contributions to every facet of California life including the entertainment industry, the most notable of whom are Mary Astor, Katy Perry, Tom Hanks, Joe Perry, Nuno Bettencourt, Steve Perry, and Sara Bareilles; and
WHEREAS, The Portuguese community press, through radio, newspaper, and television, have been important vehicles in maintaining the Portuguese American experience in California, serving as bridges to our multicultural state, currently through the Tribuna Portuguesa, the only bilingual Portuguese newspaper in the western United States; and
WHEREAS, The Portuguese Heritage Society of California built the Portuguese Historical Museum to serve as a center for the display of Portuguese heritage and culture, and the Portuguese Heritage Publications of California, through book publications, have recorded Portuguese contributions to this state in various facets; and
WHEREAS, The Portuguese Holy Ghost Festival and other religious and cultural festivals are an important part of the communities in which they are held, bringing communities together and preserving and disseminating in mainstream California the rich traditions of a proud people who are completely integrated into Californian society; now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the Assembly of the State of California, the Senate thereof concurring, That the Legislature hereby declares the month of June 2025 to be Portuguese Heritage Month and recognizes June 10 as the Day of Portugal and June 9 as the Day of the Azores; and be it further
Resolved, That the Chief Clerk of the Assembly transmit copies of this resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.
WHEREAS, Portuguese presence in California predates the establishment of California as a State in the Union; and
WHEREAS, The first Portuguese settlers came to California from the Azores Islands in the early 19th century. Waves of Azorean immigrants moved to California just before and during the 20th century, with the first wave of Azorean immigrants moving to California just before and after the turn of the 20th century, followed by the second and largest wave between 1958 and 1976, each contributing substantially to establishing agricultural operations, especially dairy, livestock, vegetable, fruit farms, and the tuna industry in southern California; and
WHEREAS, Throughout most of the 20th century, as many as one-half of all Portuguese Californians owned or operated a dairy farm, worked on a dairy farm, or worked in a dairy-related industry. Applying the Portuguese belief in hard work and thriftiness, along with additional labor from family members, Portuguese settlers could earn enough to reinvest in their businesses, and buy more land and cattle. Still today, Portuguese Americans in California continue to play an important role in agriculture and dairying, as proprietors and innovators; and
WHEREAS, Historically, California has been a popular destination for immigrants from the Azores Islands, creating strong cultural ties between the two regions; currently there are more than 350,000 persons of Portuguese heritage living in California, approximately 90 percent of whom have either come directly from the Azores Islands or are of Azorean ancestry; and
WHEREAS, In early 1855, the Old Company of Portuguese Whalers, a 15-member enterprise, was owned and operated by Azoreans in the City of Monterey, and, in the City of San Diego, Portuguese immigrants, mostly from the islands of the Azores and Madeira, had a prominent position in the tuna industry; and
WHEREAS, The Portuguese fraternal movement has played a role in the financial and cultural stability of the community, led today by two societies, the Portuguese Fraternal Society of America and the Luso-American Fraternal Federation, with headquarters in this state; and
WHEREAS, Portuguese language courses taught at community heritage schools, public elementary and high schools, community colleges, the California State University system, University of California campuses, and private colleges build cognizance of the importance of the Portuguese language as a world language and awareness to the contributions that Californians of Portuguese ancestry have given this state, as well as building exchanges with colleges and universities in Portugal, including the recently created Portuguese Beyond Borders Institute at the California State University, Fresno, with its new approach to conferences, oral history, research, academic publications, symposiums, exchange programs in agriculture, and community outreach, including the only Azorean Diaspora Center in the CSU system; and
WHEREAS, Californians of Portuguese ancestry came together in 2016 to create the California Portuguese American Coalition sponsored by the Luso-American Development Foundation to create a network of public servants of Portuguese ancestry and elected officials who represent areas where Californians of Portuguese ancestry live and contribute to our rich diversity and to encourage young Portuguese Americans to participate in our democracy through public service; and
WHEREAS, In March of 2018, Californians of Portuguese ancestry created the only strategic plan in the United States to teach the Portuguese language and cultures in California public and private schools, colleges, and universities in order to contribute to the rich linguistic and cultural diversity of our state and to foster a deeper connection to, and increase economic opportunities between, California and all the Portuguese-speaking countries throughout the world; and
WHEREAS, The State of California has a sister state relationship with the Autonomous Region of the Azores, adopted in 2002, and recently revised by working with a Friends of the Azores group to bring further development in not only cultural exchanges, but also in important areas such as renewable energy, sustainable agriculture, tourism, and technology; and
WHEREAS, Among the great Portuguese Americans who have contributed significantly to this country are: composer John Philip Sousa, best known for composing Stars and Stripes Forever; poet Emma Lazarus, best known for composing a sonnet about the Statue of Liberty, The New Colossus; and architect William L. Pereira, best known for designing the Transamerica Pyramid in San Francisco. Many Portuguese Americans have also served with distinction in local, state, and federal office, and have served proudly in this countrys military; and
WHEREAS, Portuguese Americans have made valuable and substantial contributions to every facet of California life including the entertainment industry, the most notable of whom are Mary Astor, Katy Perry, Tom Hanks, Joe Perry, Nuno Bettencourt, Steve Perry, and Sara Bareilles; and
WHEREAS, The Portuguese community press, through radio, newspaper, and television, have been important vehicles in maintaining the Portuguese American experience in California, serving as bridges to our multicultural state, currently through the Tribuna Portuguesa, the only bilingual Portuguese newspaper in the western United States; and
WHEREAS, The Portuguese Heritage Society of California built the Portuguese Historical Museum to serve as a center for the display of Portuguese heritage and culture, and the Portuguese Heritage Publications of California, through book publications, have recorded Portuguese contributions to this state in various facets; and
WHEREAS, The Portuguese Holy Ghost Festival and other religious and cultural festivals are an important part of the communities in which they are held, bringing communities together and preserving and disseminating in mainstream California the rich traditions of a proud people who are completely integrated into Californian society; now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the Assembly of the State of California, the Senate thereof concurring, That the Legislature hereby declares the month of June 2025 to be Portuguese Heritage Month and recognizes June 10 as the Day of Portugal and June 9 as the Day of the Azores; and be it further
Resolved, That the Chief Clerk of the Assembly transmit copies of this resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.
WHEREAS, Portuguese presence in California predates the establishment of California as a State in the Union; and
WHEREAS, The first Portuguese settlers came to California from the Azores Islands in the early 19th century. Waves of Azorean immigrants moved to California just before and during the 20th century, with the first wave of Azorean immigrants moving to California just before and after the turn of the 20th century, followed by the second and largest wave between 1958 and 1976, each contributing substantially to establishing agricultural operations, especially dairy, livestock, vegetable, fruit farms, and the tuna industry in southern California; and
WHEREAS, Throughout most of the 20th century, as many as one-half of all Portuguese Californians owned or operated a dairy farm, worked on a dairy farm, or worked in a dairy-related industry. Applying the Portuguese belief in hard work and thriftiness, along with additional labor from family members, Portuguese settlers could earn enough to reinvest in their businesses, and buy more land and cattle. Still today, Portuguese Americans in California continue to play an important role in agriculture and dairying, as proprietors and innovators; and
WHEREAS, Historically, California has been a popular destination for immigrants from the Azores Islands, creating strong cultural ties between the two regions; currently there are more than 350,000 persons of Portuguese heritage living in California, approximately 90 percent of whom have either come directly from the Azores Islands or are of Azorean ancestry; and
WHEREAS, In early 1855, the Old Company of Portuguese Whalers, a 15-member enterprise, was owned and operated by Azoreans in the City of Monterey, and, in the City of San Diego, Portuguese immigrants, mostly from the islands of the Azores and Madeira, had a prominent position in the tuna industry; and
WHEREAS, The Portuguese fraternal movement has played a role in the financial and cultural stability of the community, led today by two societies, the Portuguese Fraternal Society of America and the Luso-American Fraternal Federation, with headquarters in this state; and
WHEREAS, Portuguese language courses taught at community heritage schools, public elementary and high schools, community colleges, the California State University system, University of California campuses, and private colleges build cognizance of the importance of the Portuguese language as a world language and awareness to the contributions that Californians of Portuguese ancestry have given this state, as well as building exchanges with colleges and universities in Portugal, including the recently created Portuguese Beyond Borders Institute at the California State University, Fresno, with its new approach to conferences, oral history, research, academic publications, symposiums, exchange programs in agriculture, and community outreach, including the only Azorean Diaspora Center in the CSU system; and
WHEREAS, Californians of Portuguese ancestry came together in 2016 to create the California Portuguese American Coalition sponsored by the Luso-American Development Foundation to create a network of public servants of Portuguese ancestry and elected officials who represent areas where Californians of Portuguese ancestry live and contribute to our rich diversity and to encourage young Portuguese Americans to participate in our democracy through public service; and
WHEREAS, In March of 2018, Californians of Portuguese ancestry created the only strategic plan in the United States to teach the Portuguese language and cultures in California public and private schools, colleges, and universities in order to contribute to the rich linguistic and cultural diversity of our state and to foster a deeper connection to, and increase economic opportunities between, California and all the Portuguese-speaking countries throughout the world; and
WHEREAS, The State of California has a sister state relationship with the Autonomous Region of the Azores, adopted in 2002, and recently revised by working with a Friends of the Azores group to bring further development in not only cultural exchanges, but also in important areas such as renewable energy, sustainable agriculture, tourism, and technology; and
WHEREAS, Among the great Portuguese Americans who have contributed significantly to this country are: composer John Philip Sousa, best known for composing Stars and Stripes Forever; poet Emma Lazarus, best known for composing a sonnet about the Statue of Liberty, The New Colossus; and architect William L. Pereira, best known for designing the Transamerica Pyramid in San Francisco. Many Portuguese Americans have also served with distinction in local, state, and federal office, and have served proudly in this countrys military; and
WHEREAS, Portuguese Americans have made valuable and substantial contributions to every facet of California life including the entertainment industry, the most notable of whom are Mary Astor, Katy Perry, Tom Hanks, Joe Perry, Nuno Bettencourt, Steve Perry, and Sara Bareilles; and
WHEREAS, The Portuguese community press, through radio, newspaper, and television, have been important vehicles in maintaining the Portuguese American experience in California, serving as bridges to our multicultural state, currently through the Tribuna Portuguesa, the only bilingual Portuguese newspaper in the western United States; and
WHEREAS, The Portuguese Heritage Society of California built the Portuguese Historical Museum to serve as a center for the display of Portuguese heritage and culture, and the Portuguese Heritage Publications of California, through book publications, have recorded Portuguese contributions to this state in various facets; and
WHEREAS, The Portuguese Holy Ghost Festival and other religious and cultural festivals are an important part of the communities in which they are held, bringing communities together and preserving and disseminating in mainstream California the rich traditions of a proud people who are completely integrated into Californian society; now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the Assembly of the State of California, the Senate thereof concurring, That the Legislature hereby declares the month of June 2025 to be Portuguese Heritage Month and recognizes June 10 as the Day of Portugal and April 18 June 9 as the Day of the Azores; and be it further
Resolved, That the Chief Clerk of the Assembly transmit copies of this resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.
WHEREAS, Portuguese presence in California predates the establishment of California as a State in the Union; and
WHEREAS, The first Portuguese settlers came to California from the Azores Islands in the early 19th century. Waves of Azorean immigrants moved to California just before and during the 20th century, with the first wave of Azorean immigrants moving to California just before and after the turn of the 20th century, followed by the second and largest wave between 1958 and 1976, each contributing substantially to establishing agricultural operations, especially dairy, livestock, vegetable, fruit farms, and the tuna industry in southern California; and
WHEREAS, Throughout most of the 20th century, as many as one-half of all Portuguese Californians owned or operated a dairy farm, worked on a dairy farm, or worked in a dairy-related industry. Applying the Portuguese belief in hard work and thriftiness, along with additional labor from family members, Portuguese settlers could earn enough to reinvest in their businesses, and buy more land and cattle. Still today, Portuguese Americans in California continue to play an important role in agriculture and dairying, as proprietors and innovators; and
WHEREAS, Historically, California has been a popular destination for immigrants from the Azores Islands, creating strong cultural ties between the two regions; currently there are more than 350,000 persons of Portuguese heritage living in California, approximately 90 percent of whom have either come directly from the Azores Islands or are of Azorean ancestry; and
WHEREAS, In early 1855, the Old Company of Portuguese Whalers, a 15-member enterprise, was owned and operated by Azoreans in the City of Monterey, and, in the City of San Diego, Portuguese immigrants, mostly from the islands of the Azores and Madeira, had a prominent position in the tuna industry; and
WHEREAS, The Portuguese fraternal movement has played a role in the financial and cultural stability of the community, led today by two societies, the Portuguese Fraternal Society of America and the Luso-American Fraternal Federation, with headquarters in this state; and
WHEREAS, Portuguese language courses taught at community heritage schools, public elementary and high schools, community colleges, the California State University system, University of California campuses, and private colleges build cognizance of the importance of the Portuguese language as a world language and awareness to the contributions that Californians of Portuguese ancestry have given this state, as well as building exchanges with colleges and universities in Portugal, including the recently created Portuguese Beyond Borders Institute at the California State University, Fresno, with its new approach to conferences, oral history, research, academic publications, symposiums, exchange programs in agriculture, and community outreach, including the only Azorean Diaspora Center in the CSU system; and
WHEREAS, Californians of Portuguese ancestry came together in 2016 to create the California Portuguese American Coalition sponsored by the Luso-American Development Foundation to create a network of public servants of Portuguese ancestry and elected officials who represent areas where Californians of Portuguese ancestry live and contribute to our rich diversity and to encourage young Portuguese Americans to participate in our democracy through public service; and
WHEREAS, In March of 2018, Californians of Portuguese ancestry created the only strategic plan in the United States to teach the Portuguese language and cultures in California public and private schools, colleges, and universities in order to contribute to the rich linguistic and cultural diversity of our state and to foster a deeper connection to, and increase economic opportunities between, California and all the Portuguese-speaking countries throughout the world; and
WHEREAS, The State of California has a sister state relationship with the Autonomous Region of the Azores, adopted in 2002, and recently revised by working with a Friends of the Azores group to bring further development in not only cultural exchanges, but also in important areas such as renewable energy, sustainable agriculture, tourism, and technology; and
WHEREAS, Among the great Portuguese Americans who have contributed significantly to this country are: composer John Philip Sousa, best known for composing Stars and Stripes Forever; poet Emma Lazarus, best known for composing a sonnet about the Statue of Liberty, The New Colossus; and architect William L. Pereira, best known for designing the Transamerica Pyramid in San Francisco. Many Portuguese Americans have also served with distinction in local, state, and federal office, and have served proudly in this countrys military; and
WHEREAS, Portuguese Americans have made valuable and substantial contributions to every facet of California life including the entertainment industry, the most notable of whom are Mary Astor, Katy Perry, Tom Hanks, Joe Perry, Nuno Bettencourt, Steve Perry, and Sara Bareilles; and
WHEREAS, The Portuguese community press, through radio, newspaper, and television, have been important vehicles in maintaining the Portuguese American experience in California, serving as bridges to our multicultural state, currently through the Tribuna Portuguesa, the only bilingual Portuguese newspaper in the western United States; and
WHEREAS, The Portuguese Heritage Society of California built the Portuguese Historical Museum to serve as a center for the display of Portuguese heritage and culture, and the Portuguese Heritage Publications of California, through book publications, have recorded Portuguese contributions to this state in various facets; and
WHEREAS, The Portuguese Holy Ghost Festival and other religious and cultural festivals are an important part of the communities in which they are held, bringing communities together and preserving and disseminating in mainstream California the rich traditions of a proud people who are completely integrated into Californian society; now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the Assembly of the State of California, the Senate thereof concurring, That the Legislature hereby declares the month of June 2025 to be Portuguese Heritage Month and recognizes June 10 as the Day of Portugal and April 18 as the Day of the Azores; and be it further
Resolved, That the Chief Clerk of the Assembly transmit copies of this resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.
|
Date
|
Status
|
|---|---|
| Jul 3, 2025 | Chaptered by Secretary of State - Res. Chapter 131, Statutes of 2025. |
| Jul 3, 2025 | Enrolled and filed with the Secretary of State at 2:15 p.m. |
| Jun 27, 2025 | In Assembly. Ordered to Engrossing and Enrolling. |
| Jun 27, 2025 | Adopted and to Assembly. (Ayes 38. Noes 0. Page 1811.) |
| Jun 24, 2025 | Ordered to special consent calendar. |
| Jun 18, 2025 | From committee: Ordered to third reading. |
| Jun 10, 2025 | In Senate. To Com. on RLS. |
| Jun 9, 2025 | Adopted and to Senate. (Page 2132.) |
| Jun 9, 2025 | Coauthors revised. |
| Jun 2, 2025 | Amended. Ordered to third reading. |
| May 29, 2025 | From committee: Amend, and be adopted as amended. (Ayes 6. Noes 0.) (May 29). |
| May 29, 2025 | Referred to Com. on RLS. |
| May 24, 2025 | From printer. |
| May 23, 2025 | Introduced. To print. |
|
Date
|
Description
|
Location
|
Votes
|
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jun 27, 2025 | Special Consent ACR91 Aguiar-Curry et al. | Senate Floor |
Passed |
|
| May 29, 2025 | Be adopted as amended. | Assembly Standing Committee on Rules |
Passed |
This list shows positions taken on this bill by organizations on the date displayed, which is linked to the original source.
Positions by individuals are not included.
SENATE RULES COMMITTEE Office of Senate Floor Analyses (916) 651-1520 Fax: (916) 327-4478 | ACR 91 |
THIRD READING
Bill No: ACR 91
Author: Aguiar-Curry (D), et al.
Amended: 6/2/25 in Assembly
Vote: 21
SUBJECT: Portuguese Heritage Month: Day of Portugal: Day of the Azores
SOURCE: Author
DIGEST:
This resolution declares the month of June 2025 to be Portuguese Heritage Month and recognizes June 10 as the Day of Portugal and June 9 as the Day of the Azores.
ANALYSIS: This resolution makes the following legislative findings:
- Portuguese presence in California predates the establishment of California as a State in the Union.
- The first Portuguese settlers came to California from the Azores Islands in the early 19th century. Waves of Azorean immigrants moved to California just before and during the 20th century, with the first wave of Azorean immigrants moving to California just before and after the turn of the 20th century, followed by the second and largest wave between 1958 and 1976, each contributing substantially to establishing agricultural operations, especially dairy, livestock, vegetable, fruit farms, and the tuna industry in southern California.
- Historically, California has been a popular destination for immigrants from the Azores Islands, creating strong cultural ties between the two regions; currently there are more than 350,000 persons of Portuguese heritage living in California, approximately 90% of whom have either come directly from the Azores Islands or are of Azorean ancestry.
- The State of California has a sister state relationship with the Autonomous Region of the Azores, adopted in 2002, and recently revised by working with a Friends of the Azores group to bring further development in not only cultural exchanges, but also in important areas such as renewable energy, sustainable agriculture, tourism, and technology.
This resolution declares the month of June 2025 to be Portuguese Heritage Month and recognizes June 10 as the Day of Portugal and June 9 as the Day of the Azores.
Related/Prior Legislation
ACR 205 (Aguiar-Curry, Resolution Chapter 167, Statutes of 2024)
ACR 83 (Aguiar-Curry, Resolution Chapter 120, Statutes of 2023)
SCR 116 (Stern, Resolution Chapter 115, Statutes of 2022)
ACR 59 (Aguiar-Curry, Resolution Chapter 72, Statutes of 2021)
FISCAL EFFECT: Appropriation: No Fiscal Com.: No Local: No
SUPPORT: (Verified 6/18/25)
None received
OPPOSITION: (Verified 6/18/25)
None received
Prepared by: Hunter Flynn / SFA / (916) 651-1520
6/18/25 16:38:32
**** END ****
ASSEMBLY THIRD READING
ATR Bill Id:ACR 91
Author:(Aguiar-Curry)
As Amended Ver:June 2, 2025
Majority vote
SUMMARY
Declares the month of June 2025 to be Portuguese Heritage Month, and recognizes June 10 as the Day of Portugal and June 9 as the Day of the Azores.
Major Provisions
- The first Portuguese settlers came to California from the Azores Islands in the early 19th century. The first wave of Azorean immigrants moved to California just before and after the turn of the 20th century, followed by the second and largest wave between 1958 and 1976, each contributing substantially to setting up agricultural operations, especially dairy, livestock, vegetable, fruit farms, and the tuna industry in southern California.
- Throughout most of the 20th century, as many as one-half of all Portuguese Californians owned or operated a dairy farm, worked on a dairy farm, or worked in a dairy-related industry. Applying the Portuguese belief in hard work and thriftiness, along with additional labor from family members, Portuguese settlers could earn enough to reinvest in their businesses, and buy more land and cattle. Still today, Portuguese Americans in California continue to play an important role in agriculture and dairying, as proprietors and innovators.
- Historically, California has been a popular destination for immigrants from the Azores Islands, creating strong cultural ties between the two regions; currently, there are more than 350,000 persons of Portuguese heritage living in California, approximately 90 percent of whom have either come directly from the Azores Islands or are of Azorean ancestry.
- Californians of Portuguese ancestry came together in 2016 to create the California Portuguese American Coalition, sponsored by the Luso-American Development Foundation, to create a network of public servants of Portuguese ancestry and elected officials who represent areas where Californians of Portuguese ancestry live and contribute to our rich diversity, and to encourage young Portuguese Americans to participate in our democracy through public service.
- In March of 2018, Californians of Portuguese ancestry created the only strategic plan in the United States to teach the Portuguese language and cultures in California public and private schools, colleges, and universities in order to contribute to the rich linguistic and cultural diversity of our state and to foster a deeper connection to, and increase economic opportunities between, California and all the Portuguese-speaking countries throughout the world.
- Portuguese Americans have made valuable and substantial contributions to every facet of California life including the entertainment industry, the most notable of whom are Mary Astor, Katy Perry, Tom Hanks, Joe Perry, Nuno Bettencourt, Steve Perry, and James Franco.
- The Portuguese community press, through radio, newspaper, and television, have been important vehicles in maintaining the Portuguese American experience in California, serving as bridges to our multicultural state, currently through the Tribuna Portuguesa, the only bilingual Portuguese newspaper in the western United States.
- The Portuguese Heritage Society of California built the Portuguese Historical Museum to serve as a center for the display of Portuguese heritage and culture, and the Portuguese Heritage Publications of California, through book publications, have recorded Portuguese contributions to this state in various facets.
- The Portuguese Holy Ghost Festival and other religious and cultural festivals are an important part of the communities in which they are held, bringing communities together and preserving and disseminating in mainstream California the rich traditions of a proud people who are completely integrated into Californian society.
COMMENTS
According to the Author
ACR 91 recognizes June 2025 as Portuguese Heritage Month and honors the contributions of Californians of Portuguese heritage to the state's agriculture, culture, and economy.
Arguments in Support
None on file
Arguments in Opposition
None on file
FISCAL COMMENTS
No fiscal impact. This resolution is keyed non-fiscal by Legislative Counsel.
VOTES
ASM RULES: 6-0-5
YES: Pacheco, Lackey, Ahrens, Irwin, Krell, Patel
ABS, ABST OR NV: Flora, Mark González, Michelle Rodriguez, Sanchez, Zbur
UPDATED
VERSION: June 2, 2025
CONSULTANT: Michael Erke / RLS. / (916) 319-2800 FN: 0000962
Date of Hearing: May 29, 2025
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON RULES
Blanca Pacheco, Chair
ABPCA Bill Id:ACR 91 (
Author:Aguiar-Curry) – As Introduced Ver:May 23, 2025
SUBJECT: Portuguese Heritage Month: Day of Portugal: Day of the Azores.
SUMMARY: As proposed to be amended by the author, declares the month of June 2025 to be Portuguese Heritage Month, and recognizes June 10 as the Day of Portugal and June 9 as the Day of the Azores. Specifically, this resolution makes the following legislative findings:
- The first Portuguese settlers came to California from the Azores Islands in the early 19th century. The first wave of Azorean immigrants moved to California just before and after the turn of the 20th century, followed by the second and largest wave between 1958 and 1976, each contributing substantially to setting up agricultural operations, especially dairy, livestock, vegetable, fruit farms, and the tuna industry in southern California.
- Throughout most of the 20th century, as many as one-half of all Portuguese Californians owned or operated a dairy farm, worked on a dairy farm, or worked in a dairy-related industry. Applying the Portuguese belief in hard work and thriftiness, along with additional labor from family members, Portuguese settlers could earn enough to reinvest in their businesses, and buy more land and cattle. Still today, Portuguese Americans in California continue to play an important role in agriculture and dairying, as proprietors and innovators.
- Historically, California has been a popular destination for immigrants from the Azores Islands, creating strong cultural ties between the two regions; currently, there are more than 350,000 persons of Portuguese heritage living in California, approximately 90 percent of whom have either come directly from the Azores Islands or are of Azorean ancestry.
- Californians of Portuguese ancestry came together in 2016 to create the California Portuguese American Coalition, sponsored by the Luso-American Development Foundation, to create a network of public servants of Portuguese ancestry and elected officials who represent areas where Californians of Portuguese ancestry live and contribute to our rich diversity, and to encourage young Portuguese Americans to participate in our democracy through public service.
- In March of 2018, Californians of Portuguese ancestry created the only strategic plan in the United States to teach the Portuguese language and cultures in California public and private schools, colleges, and universities in order to contribute to the rich linguistic and cultural diversity of our state and to foster a deeper connection to, and increase economic opportunities between, California and all the Portuguese-speaking countries throughout the world.
- Portuguese Americans have made valuable and substantial contributions to every facet of California life including the entertainment industry, the most notable of whom are Mary Astor, Katy Perry, Tom Hanks, Joe Perry, Nuno Bettencourt, Steve Perry, and James Franco.
- The Portuguese community press, through radio, newspaper, and television, have been important vehicles in maintaining the Portuguese American experience in California, serving as bridges to our multicultural state, currently through the Tribuna Portuguesa, the only bilingual Portuguese newspaper in the western United States.
- The Portuguese Heritage Society of California built the Portuguese Historical Museum to serve as a center for the display of Portuguese heritage and culture, and the Portuguese Heritage Publications of California, through book publications, have recorded Portuguese contributions to this state in various facets.
- The Portuguese Holy Ghost Festival and other religious and cultural festivals are an important part of the communities in which they are held, bringing communities together and preserving and disseminating in mainstream California the rich traditions of a proud people who are completely integrated into Californian society.
FISCAL EFFECT: This resolution is keyed non-fiscal by Legislative Counsel.
REGISTERED SUPPORT / OPPOSITION:
Support
None on file
Opposition
None on file
Analysis Prepared by: Michael Erke / RLS. / (916) 319-2800
Bill Author
Bill Co-Author(s):
