BILL NUMBER: SCR 123INTRODUCED BILL TEXT INTRODUCED BY Senator Cedillo (Coauthors: Senators Alquist, Corbett, Correa, DeSaulnier, Ducheny, Dutton, Florez, Leno, Lowenthal, Padilla, Pavley, Romero, Steinberg, Wolk, and Wright) (Coauthors: Assembly Members Arambula, Coto, De La Torre, De Leon, Mendoza, V. Manuel Perez, Salas, and Solorio) AUGUST 9, 2010 Relative to the Mexican bicentennial celebration. LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST SCR 123, as introduced, Cedillo. Mexican bicentennial celebration. This measure would recognize the importance of celebrating the birth and independence of Mexico and honoring and invigorating the spirit of friendship, understanding, and cooperation that characterizes the California-Mexico relationship. Fiscal committee: no. WHEREAS, 2010 marks a year of celebratory festivities in Mexico commemorating the bicentennial of the start of the Mexican War of Independence and the centennial of the beginning of the Mexican Revolution; and WHEREAS, This is a time for Mexican Nationals and Mexican Americans to reflect with pride and hope upon the historical events that have shaped Mexico into a free, united, and democratic nation; and WHEREAS, In Mexico and throughout the world, Mexican communities are fervently involved in organizing special and countrywide celebrations to enjoy the unique history, rich culture and traditions, and artistic expressions of a people who have endured and overcome tremendous hardships; and WHEREAS, For over two decades, Mexican American communities throughout the United States have celebrated Mexican Independence Day to foster and raise awareness about Mexico's fight for a democratic form of government; and WHEREAS, The United States and the great state of California share a strong historical and cultural bond with Mexico; and WHEREAS, Nearly 11 million people of Mexican origin live in California today, representing 30 percent of the state's total population; and WHEREAS, The San Diego-Tijuana metropolitan area is the largest binational community along the United States border with over 50,000 vehicles and 25,000 pedestrians crossing daily; and WHEREAS, Mexico continues to be California's main trading partner, generating more than $54 billion dollars annually, and significantly contributing to the economic health and prosperity of our state; and WHEREAS, The California Latino Legislative Caucus, made up of 26 members of Latino heritage representing districts throughout our great state, has worked diligently to develop policy priorities and annual agendas of policy issues critical to the economic prosperity and vitality of California and has traditionally recognized and celebrated Mexican Independence Day and the birth of Mexico's democracy; now, therefore, be it Resolved by the Senate of the State of California, the Assembly thereof concurring, That the State of California recognizes the importance of celebrating the birth and independence of our neighboring nation and of honoring and invigorating the spirit of our friendship, understanding, and cooperation that characterizes the California-Mexico relationship; and be it further Resolved, That the 2010 Mexican National Commemorations offer a special opportunity to strengthen our partnership and envision new routes toward a future of shared prosperity by recognizing our common values, emotions, and desires; and be it further Resolved, That the Secretary of the Senate transmit copies of this resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.