Bill Text: CA SR45 | 2019-2020 | Regular Session | Enrolled

California Senate Resolution 45 (Prior Session Legislation)

Bill Title: Relative to Portuguese National Heritage Month.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Passed) 2019-06-03 - Read. Adopted. (Ayes 38. Noes 0. Page 1401.) [SR45 Detail]

Download: California-2019-SR45-Enrolled.html

Enrolled June 05, 2019

Passed IN Senate June 03, 2019

CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE— 2019–2020 REGULAR SESSION

Senate Resolution

No. 45

Introduced by Senator Stern

May 28, 2019

Relative to Portuguese National Heritage Month.

LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST

SR 45, Stern.

WHEREAS, In September of 1542, Portuguese explorer Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo sailed a ship into San Diego Bay and became the first European to explore the land now known as California. Cabrillo explored the California coast, and is credited with numerous coastal discoveries; and

WHEREAS, The first Portuguese settlers came to California from the Azores Islands in the early 19th century. The largest wave of Azorean immigrants moved to California just before and after the turn of the 20th century. Each wave contributed substantially to setting up agricultural operations, especially dairy, vegetable, and fruit farms; 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; 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 381,000 persons of Portuguese heritage living in California, approximately 90 percent of whom have either come directly from the Azores Islands or are of Azorean parentage; and

WHEREAS, In 1979, the Center for Portuguese Studies at the University of California, Santa Barbara, was founded for the purpose of promoting and developing Portuguese studies in California and in the United States; and

WHEREAS, In 1994, the University of California, Berkeley, established the Portuguese Studies Program. Included among the many goals of the program is the goal “to spotlight the crucial and complex but often overlooked experience and contributions of the Portuguese-American community”; and

WHEREAS, In 1999, the Center for Portuguese Studies at the California State University, Stanislaus, was established to promote the study of the Portuguese-speaking world’s language, history, culture, and influence. The center works to enrich the connections among the local Portuguese community and its cultural and linguistic heritage and to forge new connections between countries of the Portuguese-speaking world and California’s central valley; and

WHEREAS, Californians of Portuguese ancestry came together in 2016 to create the California Portuguese American Coalition (CPAC) sponsored by the Luso-American Development Foundation (FLAD) to create a network of public servants of Portuguese ancestry and elected officials who represent areas where Californians of Portuguese ancestry live to encourage young Portuguese Americans to participate in our democracy through public service and contribute to our rich diversity; and

WHEREAS, In March 2018, Californians of Portuguese ancestry created the only strategic plan in the United States to teach the Portuguese language and culture in California public and private schools, colleges, and universities in order to contribute to the rich linguistic and cultural diversity of our state and foster a deeper connection and increase economic opportunities between California and all the Portuguese speaking countries throughout the world; 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 her sonnet about the Statue of Liberty, “The New Colossus”; architect William L. Pereira, best known for designing the Transamerica Pyramid in San Francisco; and singer and actress Carmen Miranda. Many Portuguese Americans have also served with distinction in local, state, and federal office, and have served proudly in this country’s 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, Tom Hanks, Joe Perry, and James Franco; and

WHEREAS, Portuguese Americans continue to strive in agriculture throughout the state, but also add to our unique California experience in other areas, such as technology, education, public service, and construction, among other fields, adding to our cultural and creative spirit; 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. In addition to its permanent exhibits, it will house and host exhibits and cultural programs from various organizations and the many Portuguese communities in the United States and around the world; and

WHEREAS, The Portuguese Heritage Society of California designated the second Saturday of June as a day to celebrate Portuguese culture through music, dance, art, cooking, parades, and other festivities; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the Senate of the State of California, That the Senate hereby declares the month of June 2019 as Portuguese National Heritage Month; and be it further

Resolved, That the Secretary of the Senate transmit copies of this resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.