California Assembly Bill ACR68 Amended / Bill

 BILL NUMBER: ACR 68AMENDED BILL TEXT AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY JULY 12, 2011 INTRODUCED BY Assembly Members Portantino, Ammiano, Galgiani, Gatto, and Hill (Principal coauthors: Senators Cannella, La Malfa, and Wyland) JUNE 8, 2011 Relative to the Italian American Legislator Project. LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST ACR 68, as amended, Portantino. Italian American Heritage in California. This measure would continue designation and observance of the month of October as Italian American Heritage Month. This measure would also encourage the Legislature to continue the Italian American Legislator Project and welcome the exhibit "The Italian American Legislator Project of 2011: A Legacy of Service to the California Legislature" to the State Capitol Building in October 2011 and encourage all Californians, through the K-12 curriculum and otherwise, to learn about the history, role, and contributions of Italian Americans to the State of California. Fiscal committee: no. WHEREAS,  Italian Americans   People of Italian descent have participated in American politics and government since the beginning of United States history, and  have served  in   as Members of  the California State Legislature almost since its first session held on December  15, 1849. The first wave of Italian immigrants arrived in California before the Gold Rush (1848-52) along with other fortune seekers from all over the globe. California's first Legislature reflected this immigration as not a single member of the first Assembly was a native Californian. Nineteen Members were from northern states, ten were from southern states, five had an unknown birthplace, and two were of foreign birth; and   15, 1849; and  WHEREAS,  Through the office of Assembly Member Anthony Portantino in conjunction with the California Italian American Task Force, the California Research Bureau, and the Office of the Chief Clerk of the Assembly,  "The Italian American Legislator Project of 2011: A Legacy of Service to the California Legislature" (the Legacy Project) was recently launched to  find   identify  and compile a list of persons of Italian American heritage who have served as Members of the houses of the California  Legislature   Legislature. This project was initiated by the office of Assembly Member Anthony Portantino and the California Italian American Task Force with assistance from the California Research Bureau, the Office of the Chief Clerk, the Italian American Museum of Los Angeles, Lawrence DiStasi, former-Senate President pro Tempore David Roberti, other previously-serving Italian American legislators, and the staff of various currently-serving Italian American legislators  ; and WHEREAS, The Legacy Project survey has already identified  53   51  Italian Americans who are former or current members of the California Senate and  Assembly. Most, but not all, of those identified had Italian surnames. This   Assembly; this  is the first time that a comprehensive list of Italian American legislators has been  compiled and there is a need for a permanent home for the Legacy Project so that additional Members of Italian descent may be identified and added to the survey. The Legacy Project will help highlight the continuing political accomplishments and contributions of the Italian American population of California; and   compiled; and   WHEREAS, Compiling the tentative Legacy Project list reveals a complex but highly successful journey of Italian Americans in the United States and California. A names-only search provided limited assistance for this project, making this project partly reliant on oral recollections, intergenerational confirmations, and documents not readily accessible to the public. Many names were altered deliberately or by error at Ellis Island or by government and school personnel. Some names were changed during times of open discrimination to gain employment, social acceptance, protect children, or avoid stereotyping, and other names were simply changed through marriage; and   WHEREAS, Legacy Project surveyors have tentatively identified the following former and current Italian American legislators to date, and are reaching out to current and former legislators and community members for additional names:   WHEREAS, The following Italian American legislators have been identified by surveyors who believe that further searches are needed to find other persons not listed or that further confirmation is needed to positively affirm the heritage of those persons listed with an asterisk:  1. Tom Ammiano (Assembly, 2008-Present) 2. John Badaracco (Assembly, 1919, 1921, 1923) 3. Bill Bagley (Assembly, 1961-74) 4. Frank Belotti (Assembly, 1951-72) 5. Patty Berg  (Mazzarelli)  (Assembly, 2003-08) 6. Paula Boland (Assembly, 1990-96) 7.  Frank   *Frank  G. Bonelli (Assembly, 1954-58)  8. William Bonelli (1930-32)   8.   9.  Tom Bordonaro (Assembly, 1994-98)  9. Doug   10. *Douglas  Bosco (Assembly,  1978-82)   1978-80)   10.   11.  Marilyn  Cerolini  Brewer (Assembly, 1994-2000)  11. Robert Bulla (Assembly, 1893, 1895; Senate, 1897, 1899)  12. Anthony Caminetti (Assembly, 1883, 1897, 1899; Senate, 1887, 1889, 1907-13) 13. Joseph Canciamilla (Assembly, 2000-06) 14. Victor Canepa (Assembly, 1913, 1915; Senate, 1917-21, 1927, 1929) 15. Anthony Cannella (Senate, 2010-Present) 16. Sal Cannella (Assembly, 1990-96) 17. August Cavagnaro (Assembly, 1901) 18. Eugene A. Chappie (Assembly, 1965-75) 19. Larry Chimbole (Assembly, 1976-78) 20. Dominic Cortese (Assembly, 1981-96)  21. Louis Devoto (Assembly, 1899)   22. Leonard Joseph Difani (Senate, 1933, 1935)   23.   21.  Vic Fazio (Assembly, 1975-78)  24.   22. Dr.  William Filante (Assembly, 1979-92)  25.   23.  Cathleen Galgiani (Assembly, 2006-Present)  26.   24.  Mike Gatto (Assembly, 2010-Present)  27.   25.  Arlen Gregorio (Senate, 1970-78)  28.   26.  Jerry Hill (Assembly, 2008-Present)  29.   27.  Wally Knox (Assembly, 1994-2000)  30.   28.  Robert Lagomarsino (Senate, 1961-74)  31.   29.  Doug LaMalfa (Assembly, 2002-08; Senate, 2010-Present)  32.   30.  Paul J. Lunardi (Assembly, 1959-63; Senate, 1963-66)  33.   31.  Ennio Martinelli (Senate, 1909, 1911)  34.   32.  Bob Moretti (Assembly, 1965-74)  35.   33.  George Moscone (Senate, 1967-76)  36.   34.  Roger Niello (Assembly, 2004-10)  37.   35.  Egisto Palmieri (Senate, 1885)  38.   36.  Joseph Pedrotti (Assembly, 1921, 1923; Senate, 1925-29, 1931)  39.   37.  Don Perata (Assembly, 1996-98; Senate, 1998-2008)  40.   38.  Anthony Pescetti (Assembly, 1999-2002)  41.   39.  George Plescia (Assembly, 2002-08)  42.   40.  Anthony Portantino (Assembly, 2006-Present)  43.   41.  Paul Priolo (Assembly, 1967-80)  44.   42.  David Roberti (Assembly, 1967-71; Senate, 1971-94)  45.   43.  James Rogan (Assembly, 1994-96)  46.   44.  Don Sebastiani (Assembly, 1980-86)  47.   45.  Augustus D. Splivalo (Assembly, 1867)  48.   46.  Alfred Taliaferro (Assembly, 1852; Senate, 1857, 1858)  49.   47.  Mike Thompson (Senate, 1990-98)  50.   48.  Charles P. Vicini (Assembly, 1917-19)  51.   49.  Catherine Marinelli Wright (Assembly, 1980-92; Senate, 1993-2000)  52.   50.  Mark Wyland (Assembly,  2000-2006   2000-06  ; Senate, 2006-Present)  53. Louis   51. *Louis  Zocchi (Assembly, 1895) WHEREAS, Italian American legislators have left  us with  a legacy of political leadership and accomplishments. Two Italian American legislators, David Roberti (1980-94) and Don Perata (2004-08), have served as  President   Presidents  pro Tempore of the Senate, and one Italian American legislator, Bob Moretti (1971-74), has served as Speaker of the Assembly; and WHEREAS, Eight Italian Americans currently serve in the California Legislature, three in the Senate and five in the Assembly; and WHEREAS, California's Italian American legislators have worked together to represent the interests of  the  Italian American  people of California. During the 1990s, they authored and supported a resolution and exhibit highlighting "Una Storia Segreta--The Secret Story," a book and exhibit about the World War II internment and relocation of, and restrictions on, large numbers of California Italian Americans; authored a resolution that created the Italian American Taskforce, which is still in existence today; and   people of California, and have  authored several pieces of legislation seeking to include in the K-12 curriculum the history, role, and contributions of Italian  Americans. During the 2000s, they continued to pursue an Italian American curriculum through various legislative and administrative efforts. During the past four years, they have introduced resolutions designating the month of October as Italian American Heritage Month and have sponsored an annual Capitol exhibit capturing nearly 150 years of the history and contributions of Italian Americans in California; and   Americans, and resolutions designating October as Italian American Heritage Month, and have sponsored annual exhibits in the State Capitol capturing over 180 years of Italian American history in California; and  WHEREAS, Columbus Day  is a state holiday   ,  observed on October 12 of each year  and   , is a holiday  of special significance to Italian  Americans. Columbus Day is celebrated in Italian American communities across California with festivals, parades, and activities that celebrate the history and heritage of the Italian American community. The  Americans in   the United States and California, and the  designation of October as Italian American Heritage Month is  a  recognition of the  important role and contributions Italians   significant impact Italian Americans  have made to the rich cultural fabric of California  and the lives of all its residents  ; and  WHEREAS, Italian Americans are a vital part of California' s diversity, their rich heritage and traditions are a part of the lives of all Californians.   WHEREAS,  The 2000 Census counted 1,450,885 Italian Americans in California,  an ethnic group that constituted   constituting  4.3 percent of the state's population  ,   and  the third largest Italian American population in the United States; and WHEREAS, Italian Americans have made enormous contributions to the economic and cultural development and success of California, and Italian American legislators have made important contributions to the political life of California through their dedication to public service  and by presenting the interests of the Italian American community of California  ; now, therefore, be it Resolved by the Assembly of the State of California, the Senate thereof concurring, That the month of October continue to be designated Italian American Heritage Month; and be it further Resolved, That the Legislature maintain  and continue to update  the Legacy Project and continue annual observances of Italian American Heritage Month; and be it further Resolved, That the Legislature welcomes the exhibit "The Italian American Legislator Project of 2011: A Legacy of Service to the California Legislature" to the State Capitol Building during the month of October; and be it further Resolved, That the Legislature encourages all Californians, through the K-12 curriculum and otherwise, to learn about the history, role, and contributions of Italian Americans to the State of California.