Bill Text: CA AJR31 | 2021-2022 | Regular Session | Introduced

California Assembly Joint Resolution 31 (Prior Session Legislation)

Introduced

Bill Title: Medal of Honor Recipient Telesforo Trinidad.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 3-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2022-05-05 - Referred to Com. on M. & V.A. [AJR31 Detail]

Download: California-2021-AJR31-Introduced.html

CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE— 2021–2022 REGULAR SESSION

Assembly Joint Resolution

No. 31

Introduced by Assembly Member Grayson
(Coauthor: Assembly Member Wilson)
(Coauthor: Senator Dodd)

April 28, 2022

Relative to Medal of Honor Recipient Telesforo Trinidad.

LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST

AJR 31, as introduced, Grayson. Medal of Honor Recipient Telesforo Trinidad.

The measure would urge the Secretary of the Navy to name a Navy surface combatant ship after United States Navy Fireman Second Class Telesforo Trinidad, who received the Medal of Honor in 1915.

Fiscal Committee: NO

WHEREAS, United States Navy ships have traditionally been named by the Secretary of the Navy, under the direction of the President of the United States, in accordance with rules prescribed by Congress; and

WHEREAS, Nearly one hundred Members of Congress, including California’s two United States Senators and thirty-three United States Representatives, have signed letters to the Secretary of the Navy in strong support of naming a Navy surface combatant ship after United States Navy Fireman Second Class Telesforo Trinidad; and

WHEREAS, Telesforo Trinidad earned the Medal of Honor for showing extraordinary heroism in the line of duty in response to boiler explosions aboard the USS San Diego (ACR-6) that occurred when the ship was in the Gulf of California on January 21, 1915; more specifically, he brought two crew members to safety despite being severely injured, thus embodying the naval ethos that prioritizes “ship and shipmate before self”; and

WHEREAS, Telesforo Trinidad was awarded the Medal of Honor in accordance with General Order Number 142, which was signed by then-Secretary of the Navy Josephus Daniels on April 1, 1915; and

WHEREAS, One hundred and seven years later, Telesforo Trinidad continues to hold the distinction of being the only Filipino American and the only Asian American member of the United States Navy to have received the Medal of Honor; and

WHEREAS, Filipino Americans have faithfully served our nation with honor for over twelve decades, starting in 1901 when then-President William McKinley allowed Filipinos to serve in United States Navy gunboats for “brown water” operations and as Philippine Scouts in the United States Army to fight nationalist insurrectionists; and

WHEREAS, During World War II, up to 400,000 Filipinos served in the United States military, and since then, tens of thousands of Americans of Filipino descent have faithfully served or are actively serving in our United States Armed Forces; and

WHEREAS, The naming of a Navy ship in honor of Telesforo Trinidad would demonstrate the Navy’s leadership and commitment to diversity, equality, and inclusion amid current racial tensions and the unwarranted violence against Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders nationwide, as well as its commitment to overall diversity and inclusion as stated in its “Task Force One Navy: Our Navy Team – Navigating a Course to True North” final report; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the Assembly and the Senate of the State of California, jointly, That the Legislature urges the Secretary of the Navy to name a Navy surface combatant ship after United States Navy Fireman Second Class Telesforo Trinidad, who received the Medal of Honor in 1915; and be it further

Resolved, That the Chief Clerk of the Assembly transmit copies of this resolution to the Secretary of the United States Navy and to every member of California’s congressional delegation.