Amended IN Assembly March 26, 2025 CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE 20252026 REGULAR SESSION Assembly Concurrent Resolution No. 12Introduced by Assembly Members Quirk-Silva and CalozaJanuary 09, 2025Relative to Fernando Valenzuela Day. LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGESTACR 12, as amended, Quirk-Silva. Fernando Valenzuela Day.This measure would designate November 1, 2025, as Fernando Valenzuela Day, to highlight the positive impact his legacy created in the Latino and Hispanic community.Digest Key Fiscal Committee: NO Bill TextWHEREAS, Fernando Valenzuela was born on November 1, 1960, in Etchohuaquila, a small town within the municipality of Navojoa, Sonora, Mexico; and WHEREAS, Valenzuela was the youngest of 12 children born to Avelino and Mara Valenzuela, who were humble farmers who worked the land with the help of their children and were of Mayo indigenous ancestry; andWHEREAS, In 1981, Valenzuela married Linda Burgos, a schoolteacher from Mexico. Early in his career, Valenzuela and his family spent off-seasons between the Mexican cities of Etchohuaquila and Mrida. The couple Mexico, and had four children: Fernando Jr., Ricardo, Linda, and Maria Fernanda. Fernando Jr. eventually played in the San Diego Padres and Chicago White Sox organizations; and WHEREAS, The Los Angeles Dodgers always seemed to know before anyone else that baseball was meant as a multicultural game. Yet, for more than two decades, the Dodgers lacked a star to whom the citys large Mexican and Mexican-American communities could relate. For Mexicans and Mexican Americans, Fernando Valenzuela was a beacon of hope, inspiration, and pride; andWHEREAS, That all changed in 1981, when Valenzuela took the mound on opening day, throwing a five-hit shutout against the Houston Astros in route to an 8-0 start to the season. The 20-year-old rookie lefthander from a small Mexican town became a sensation for his baseball prowess and his quirks: the hair, the windup, and the screwball. More importantly, he inspired the local Latino community, many of whom had never before rooted for the team. Finally, they had a hero who looked just like them. The phenomenon was called Fernandomania, and it reverberated both inside Dodger Stadium on the nights he pitched and all over Los Angeles; andWHEREAS, Valenzuelas story as a Mexican-born phenomenon for the Los Angeles Dodgers transcended sports, becoming a symbol of hope and pride within the Latino community. Fernandomania reflected Valenzuelas impact and legacy as an athlete who opened doors for ballplayers around the globe. Valenzuela is almost single-handedly responsible for the love the Dodgers receive from the Latino community, helping to mend the teams frosty relationship with those who had never forgotten that the team built Dodger Stadium on land that had been vacated by primarily Latino families in Chavez Ravine in the 1950s. After multiple Latino families were forcibly removed from their homes in order to make room for construction, many Latinos would not set foot in the stadium. Valenzuelas success helped changed that; andWHEREAS, The Dodgers, longing for a star to connect with the Latino population in Los Angeles, finally found one in Valenzuela, whose impact would transform what had been predominantly a white fanbase. The citys Mexican community began to flock to Dodger Stadium during his starts. The Dodgers, who had become the first franchise to draw 3 million fans in 1978, averaged 48,430 fans during Valenzuelas home starts and 42,523 overall during the strike-interrupted 1981 season, which was the highest average attendance in Dodger Stadium history to that point. That year, Valenzuela became the first in baseball history to win Rookie of the Year and a Cy Young Award as baseballs top pitcher in the same season; andWHEREAS, Valenzuela began the 1981 Major League Baseball season as a last-minute replacement, making history as the first rookie to start opening day for the Los Angeles Dodgers, and delivered a dominant performance with a five-hit shutout against the Houston Astros; andWHEREAS, Valenzuela capped his rookie season with eight consecutive wins, a World Series triumph over the New York Yankees, and an unprecedented achievement as the first and only player in Major League Baseball to win both the National League Cy Young Award and Rookie of the Year in the same season; andWHEREAS, Fernandomania emerged from the admiration of the Latino community for Valenzuela, electrifying Dodger Stadium and every ballpark on the nights he took the mound. As a Mexican-born sensation for the Los Angeles Dodgers, Valenzuelas journey transcended sports, becoming a powerful symbol of hope and pride within the Latino community; andWHEREAS, Valenzuela, the six-time All-Star, won 141 regular season games with the Los Angeles Dodgers from 1980 to 1990, including his no-hitter against the St. Louis Cardinals on June 29, 1990, at Dodger Stadium. In 331 games as a Dodger, the master of screwball had a 3.31 ERA with 29 shutouts, 107 complete games, and 1,759 strikeouts in 2,348 and two-thirds innings, also holding the title as the all-time leader among Mexican-born pitchers in wins (173), strikeouts (2,074), innings pitched (2,930), complete games (113), and shutouts (31); andWHEREAS, After retiring from Major League Baseball in 1997, the pitching legend eventually found his way into the broadcasting booth at Dodger Stadium in 2003, and spent the rest of his life giving analysis in Spanish to a whole new generation of fans; and WHEREAS, Valenzuela became a United States citizen on July 22, 2015, at a ceremony in downtown Los Angeles. Following Valenzuelas naturalization, President Obama appointed him a special ambassador for citizenship and naturalization, promoting the rights, responsibilities, and opportunities of citizenship among eligible lawful permanent residents; andWHEREAS, The Fernando Valenzuela Foundation was perhaps his most well-known charitable initiative. The foundation aimed to improve the lives of children and families in need, focusing on education, health, and sports. The foundation worked to provide resources and opportunities for young people, especially in his home country of Mexico; and WHEREAS, Valenzuela was a supporter of various hospital efforts, including those dedicated to childrens healthcare and fundraising events benefiting pediatric care. In 2014, he surprised patients at the Children's Hospital Los Angeles by distributing toys and taking photos with their families. He said he wanted to visit the children because it was almost Christmas and he thought they might like Dodger gifts; and WHEREAS, In the Los Angeles area, Valenzuela supported initiatives of the Los Angeles Latino Chamber of Commerce aimed at helping Latino-owned businesses and economic empowerment in the Latino community; and WHEREAS, In 2015, Valenzuela visited Estrada Courts, a low-income housing complex in Los Angeles, to hand out holiday gifts to 100 children; andWHEREAS, As a former Dodgers player, Valenzuela was also involved in the Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation, which worked to improve the lives of underserved youth and families in Los Angeles by providing resources in areas such as education, health, and recreation. Valenzuela visited the Long Beach Convention Center shelter for migrant children in 2021. He connected with the children by sharing his immigrant experience and playing Wiffle ball with them. Speaking in Spanish, Valenzuela offered comfort and encouragement, making the children feel seen and valued during a challenging time; andWHEREAS, Valenzuela remained deeply engaged with the Los Angeles Dodgers community efforts, working to make a lasting impact and engage with communities across the County of Los Angeles. In 2014, he brought holiday joy to patients at Childrens Hospital Los Angeles by distributing toys and taking photos with their families. In 2021, he visited the Long Beach Convention Center shelter for migrant children, where he shared his immigrant experience, played Wiffle ball with them, and, speaking in Spanish, offered comfort and encouragement, making the children feel seen and valued during a difficult time; andWHEREAS, As a former Dodgers player, Valenzuela was a dedicated supporter of the Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation (LADF), actively participating in initiatives that uplifted the community. He joined LADF at multiple Dodgers Dreamfield unveilings, helping to create safe spaces for youth to play and grow. Additionally, he supported LADFs mission by attending key fundraising events, including the Blue Diamond Gala and Dodgers All-Access, demonstrating his commitment to making a lasting impact both on and off the field; andWHEREAS, Valenzuelas nickname, El Toro, symbolized strength, determination, and an indomitable spirit, qualities that Valenzuela displayed every time he played as a pitcher or a batter. Thats why fans voted for the Mexican player to have this nickname, which stayed with him for the rest of his life; and he exemplified throughout his lifetime; now, therefore, be itWHEREAS, Fernando Valenzuela died in a Los Angeles hospital on October 22, 2024, at the age of 63, three days before the 2024 World Series began between the Dodgers and the New York Yankees; therefore, be itResolved by the Assembly of the State of California, the Senate thereof concurring, That November 1, 2025, is hereby designated Fernando Valenzuela Day to highlight the positive impact his legacy created in the Latino and Hispanic community; and be it furtherResolved, That the Chief Clerk of the Assembly transmit copies of this resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.
Amended IN Assembly March 26, 2025 CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE 20252026 REGULAR SESSION Assembly Concurrent Resolution No. 12Introduced by Assembly Members Quirk-Silva and CalozaJanuary 09, 2025Relative to Fernando Valenzuela Day. LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGESTACR 12, as amended, Quirk-Silva. Fernando Valenzuela Day.This measure would designate November 1, 2025, as Fernando Valenzuela Day, to highlight the positive impact his legacy created in the Latino and Hispanic community.Digest Key Fiscal Committee: NO
Amended IN Assembly March 26, 2025
Amended IN Assembly March 26, 2025
CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE 20252026 REGULAR SESSION
Assembly Concurrent Resolution
No. 12
Introduced by Assembly Members Quirk-Silva and CalozaJanuary 09, 2025
Introduced by Assembly Members Quirk-Silva and Caloza
January 09, 2025
Relative to Fernando Valenzuela Day.
LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST
## LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST
ACR 12, as amended, Quirk-Silva. Fernando Valenzuela Day.
This measure would designate November 1, 2025, as Fernando Valenzuela Day, to highlight the positive impact his legacy created in the Latino and Hispanic community.
This measure would designate November 1, 2025, as Fernando Valenzuela Day, to highlight the positive impact his legacy created in the Latino and Hispanic community.
## Digest Key
## Bill Text
WHEREAS, Fernando Valenzuela was born on November 1, 1960, in Etchohuaquila, a small town within the municipality of Navojoa, Sonora, Mexico; and
WHEREAS, Valenzuela was the youngest of 12 children born to Avelino and Mara Valenzuela, who were humble farmers who worked the land with the help of their children and were of Mayo indigenous ancestry; and
WHEREAS, In 1981, Valenzuela married Linda Burgos, a schoolteacher from Mexico. Early in his career, Valenzuela and his family spent off-seasons between the Mexican cities of Etchohuaquila and Mrida. The couple Mexico, and had four children: Fernando Jr., Ricardo, Linda, and Maria Fernanda. Fernando Jr. eventually played in the San Diego Padres and Chicago White Sox organizations; and
WHEREAS, The Los Angeles Dodgers always seemed to know before anyone else that baseball was meant as a multicultural game. Yet, for more than two decades, the Dodgers lacked a star to whom the citys large Mexican and Mexican-American communities could relate. For Mexicans and Mexican Americans, Fernando Valenzuela was a beacon of hope, inspiration, and pride; and
WHEREAS, That all changed in 1981, when Valenzuela took the mound on opening day, throwing a five-hit shutout against the Houston Astros in route to an 8-0 start to the season. The 20-year-old rookie lefthander from a small Mexican town became a sensation for his baseball prowess and his quirks: the hair, the windup, and the screwball. More importantly, he inspired the local Latino community, many of whom had never before rooted for the team. Finally, they had a hero who looked just like them. The phenomenon was called Fernandomania, and it reverberated both inside Dodger Stadium on the nights he pitched and all over Los Angeles; and
WHEREAS, Valenzuelas story as a Mexican-born phenomenon for the Los Angeles Dodgers transcended sports, becoming a symbol of hope and pride within the Latino community. Fernandomania reflected Valenzuelas impact and legacy as an athlete who opened doors for ballplayers around the globe. Valenzuela is almost single-handedly responsible for the love the Dodgers receive from the Latino community, helping to mend the teams frosty relationship with those who had never forgotten that the team built Dodger Stadium on land that had been vacated by primarily Latino families in Chavez Ravine in the 1950s. After multiple Latino families were forcibly removed from their homes in order to make room for construction, many Latinos would not set foot in the stadium. Valenzuelas success helped changed that; and
WHEREAS, The Dodgers, longing for a star to connect with the Latino population in Los Angeles, finally found one in Valenzuela, whose impact would transform what had been predominantly a white fanbase. The citys Mexican community began to flock to Dodger Stadium during his starts. The Dodgers, who had become the first franchise to draw 3 million fans in 1978, averaged 48,430 fans during Valenzuelas home starts and 42,523 overall during the strike-interrupted 1981 season, which was the highest average attendance in Dodger Stadium history to that point. That year, Valenzuela became the first in baseball history to win Rookie of the Year and a Cy Young Award as baseballs top pitcher in the same season; and
WHEREAS, Valenzuela began the 1981 Major League Baseball season as a last-minute replacement, making history as the first rookie to start opening day for the Los Angeles Dodgers, and delivered a dominant performance with a five-hit shutout against the Houston Astros; and
WHEREAS, Valenzuela capped his rookie season with eight consecutive wins, a World Series triumph over the New York Yankees, and an unprecedented achievement as the first and only player in Major League Baseball to win both the National League Cy Young Award and Rookie of the Year in the same season; and
WHEREAS, Fernandomania emerged from the admiration of the Latino community for Valenzuela, electrifying Dodger Stadium and every ballpark on the nights he took the mound. As a Mexican-born sensation for the Los Angeles Dodgers, Valenzuelas journey transcended sports, becoming a powerful symbol of hope and pride within the Latino community; and
WHEREAS, Valenzuela, the six-time All-Star, won 141 regular season games with the Los Angeles Dodgers from 1980 to 1990, including his no-hitter against the St. Louis Cardinals on June 29, 1990, at Dodger Stadium. In 331 games as a Dodger, the master of screwball had a 3.31 ERA with 29 shutouts, 107 complete games, and 1,759 strikeouts in 2,348 and two-thirds innings, also holding the title as the all-time leader among Mexican-born pitchers in wins (173), strikeouts (2,074), innings pitched (2,930), complete games (113), and shutouts (31); and
WHEREAS, After retiring from Major League Baseball in 1997, the pitching legend eventually found his way into the broadcasting booth at Dodger Stadium in 2003, and spent the rest of his life giving analysis in Spanish to a whole new generation of fans; and
WHEREAS, Valenzuela became a United States citizen on July 22, 2015, at a ceremony in downtown Los Angeles. Following Valenzuelas naturalization, President Obama appointed him a special ambassador for citizenship and naturalization, promoting the rights, responsibilities, and opportunities of citizenship among eligible lawful permanent residents; and
WHEREAS, The Fernando Valenzuela Foundation was perhaps his most well-known charitable initiative. The foundation aimed to improve the lives of children and families in need, focusing on education, health, and sports. The foundation worked to provide resources and opportunities for young people, especially in his home country of Mexico; and
WHEREAS, Valenzuela was a supporter of various hospital efforts, including those dedicated to childrens healthcare and fundraising events benefiting pediatric care. In 2014, he surprised patients at the Children's Hospital Los Angeles by distributing toys and taking photos with their families. He said he wanted to visit the children because it was almost Christmas and he thought they might like Dodger gifts; and
WHEREAS, In the Los Angeles area, Valenzuela supported initiatives of the Los Angeles Latino Chamber of Commerce aimed at helping Latino-owned businesses and economic empowerment in the Latino community; and
WHEREAS, In 2015, Valenzuela visited Estrada Courts, a low-income housing complex in Los Angeles, to hand out holiday gifts to 100 children; and
WHEREAS, As a former Dodgers player, Valenzuela was also involved in the Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation, which worked to improve the lives of underserved youth and families in Los Angeles by providing resources in areas such as education, health, and recreation. Valenzuela visited the Long Beach Convention Center shelter for migrant children in 2021. He connected with the children by sharing his immigrant experience and playing Wiffle ball with them. Speaking in Spanish, Valenzuela offered comfort and encouragement, making the children feel seen and valued during a challenging time; and
WHEREAS, Valenzuela remained deeply engaged with the Los Angeles Dodgers community efforts, working to make a lasting impact and engage with communities across the County of Los Angeles. In 2014, he brought holiday joy to patients at Childrens Hospital Los Angeles by distributing toys and taking photos with their families. In 2021, he visited the Long Beach Convention Center shelter for migrant children, where he shared his immigrant experience, played Wiffle ball with them, and, speaking in Spanish, offered comfort and encouragement, making the children feel seen and valued during a difficult time; and
WHEREAS, As a former Dodgers player, Valenzuela was a dedicated supporter of the Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation (LADF), actively participating in initiatives that uplifted the community. He joined LADF at multiple Dodgers Dreamfield unveilings, helping to create safe spaces for youth to play and grow. Additionally, he supported LADFs mission by attending key fundraising events, including the Blue Diamond Gala and Dodgers All-Access, demonstrating his commitment to making a lasting impact both on and off the field; and
WHEREAS, Valenzuelas nickname, El Toro, symbolized strength, determination, and an indomitable spirit, qualities that Valenzuela displayed every time he played as a pitcher or a batter. Thats why fans voted for the Mexican player to have this nickname, which stayed with him for the rest of his life; and he exemplified throughout his lifetime; now, therefore, be it
WHEREAS, Fernando Valenzuela died in a Los Angeles hospital on October 22, 2024, at the age of 63, three days before the 2024 World Series began between the Dodgers and the New York Yankees; therefore, be it
Resolved by the Assembly of the State of California, the Senate thereof concurring, That November 1, 2025, is hereby designated Fernando Valenzuela Day to highlight the positive impact his legacy created in the Latino and Hispanic community; and be it further
Resolved, That the Chief Clerk of the Assembly transmit copies of this resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.