WHEREAS, Chicano Heritage Month is celebrated in August to recognize the significant contributions of Mexican Americans to the history of the United States; and

WHEREAS, In 2021, the City of Santa Ana, California, became the first major city in the United States to declare August as Chicano Heritage Month; and

WHEREAS, Chicano or Chicana are sometimes used interchangeably with Mexican American, although the terms have different meanings for different people. Nonetheless, Chicano and Chicana were reclaimed by ethnic Mexicans in the 1960s and 1970s to express political empowerment, ethnic solidarity, and pride in being of Indigenous descent; and

WHEREAS, The Chicano Movement was a social and political movement in the United States inspired by prior acts of resistance among people of Mexican descent that worked to embrace a Chicano/Chicana identity and world view that combated structural racism, encouraged cultural revitalization, and achieved community empowerment by rejecting assimilation. Examples of this movement are shown through the advocacy work of individuals such as Vickie Castro, Ruben Salazar, Corky Gonzales, Sylvia Mendez, Dolores Huerta, and countless others; and

WHEREAS, The Chicano Movement was influenced by the Black Power movement, and both movements held similar objectives of community empowerment and liberation while also calling for Black-Brown unity; and

WHEREAS, California is home to 12.7 million people of Mexican origin, about 32 percent of the states population, and roughly a third of all Mexican Americans in the country. Chicanos/Chicanas have been a long-standing part of the culture of the United States, with an undeniable influence in education, public safety, infrastructure, economic development, culinary arts, and governance; and

WHEREAS, The Chicano population grew from 3 million in 1940 to over 20 million in 2000; and

WHEREAS, People of Mexican origin alone make up about 32 percent of all Californians, and roughly 80 percent of the states Latino population; and

WHEREAS, Chicano and Chicana students remain underrepresented in the University of California and California State University systems. In 2015, only 13 out of every 100 Mexican American women and 11 out of every 100 men earned a bachelors degree; and

WHEREAS, According to State Department of Education statistics, over three million Chicano/Latino students are enrolled in Californias public K12 schools. To put that into perspective, that is 56 percent of total enrollment as of the 202526 school year; and

WHEREAS, Chicanos/Chicanas represent a significant and rapidly growing demographic and we honor their invaluable accomplishments and contributions; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the Assembly of the State of California, That the Assembly recognizes August 2026 as Chicano Heritage Month and encourages Californians to join us in acknowledging and celebrating diversity in California; and be it further

Resolved, That the Chief Clerk of the Assembly transmit copies of this resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.

Date of Hearing: July 2, 2026

ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON RULES

Blanca Pacheco, Chair

ABPCA Bill Id:HR 125 (

Author:Valencia) – As Introduced Ver:June 24, 2026

SUBJECT: Chicano Heritage Month.

SUMMARY: Recognizes August 2026 as Chicano Heritage Month; and, encourages Californians to join in acknowledging and celebrating diversity in California. Specifically, this resolution makes the following legislative findings:

1. “Chicano” or “Chicana” are sometimes used interchangeably with “Mexican American,” although the terms have different meanings for different people. Nonetheless, “Chicano” and “Chicana” were reclaimed by ethnic Mexicans in the 1960s and 1970s to express political empowerment, ethnic solidarity, and pride in being of Indigenous descent.
2. The Chicano Movement was a social and political movement in the United States inspired by prior acts of resistance among people of Mexican descent that worked to embrace a Chicano/Chicana identity and world view that combated structural racism, encouraged cultural revitalization, and achieved community empowerment by rejecting assimilation. Examples of this movement are shown through the advocacy work of individuals such as Vickie Castro, Ruben Salazar, Corky Gonzales, Sylvia Mendez, Dolores Huerta, and countless others.
3. The Chicano Movement was influenced by the Black Power movement, and both movements held similar objectives of community empowerment and liberation while also calling for Black-Brown unity.
4. California is home to 12.7 million people of Mexican origin, about 32 percent of the state’s population, and roughly a third of all Mexican Americans in the country. Chicanos/Chicanas have been a long-standing part of the culture of the United States, with an undeniable influence in education, public safety, infrastructure, economic development, culinary arts, and governance.
5. In 2021, the City of Santa Ana, California, became the first major city in the United States to declare August as “Chicano Heritage Month.”
6. Chicano Heritage Month is celebrated in August to recognize the significant contributions of Mexican Americans to the history of the United States.

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