BILL NUMBER: SCR 3	INTRODUCED
	BILL TEXT


INTRODUCED BY   Senator Mendoza

                        DECEMBER 8, 2014

   Relative to India Republic Day.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   SCR 3, as introduced, Mendoza. India Republic Day.
   This measure would proclaim January 26, 2015, as India Republic
Day, and would urge all Californians to join in celebrating India
Republic Day.
   Fiscal committee: no.



   WHEREAS, Republic Day is one of the three national holidays of
India and is celebrated every year on January 26. It was during the
Lahore Session of the Indian National Congress at midnight of
December 31, 1929, to January 1, 1930, inclusive, that the tricolor
flag was unfurled by the nationalists and a pledge was taken that on
January 26 of every year, "Republic Day" would be celebrated and that
the people would unceasingly strive for the establishment of a
sovereign democratic republic. The professed pledge was successfully
redeemed on January 26, 1950, when the Constitution of India framed
by the Constituent Assembly of India came into force, although
independence from British rule was already achieved on August 15,
1947; and
   WHEREAS, Although India obtained its independence on August 15,
1947, it did not yet have a permanent constitution. Instead, its laws
were based on the modified colonial Government of India Act 1935,
and the country was a dominion, with King George VI as head of state
and Earl Mountbatten as Governor General of India. On August 28,
1947, the drafting committee was appointed to draft a permanent
constitution, with Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar as chairman. While India's
Independence Day celebrates its freedom from British rule, Republic
Day celebrates the coming into force of its constitution; and
   WHEREAS, A draft constitution was prepared by the committee and
submitted to the Constituent Assembly of India on November 4, 1947.
The assembly met, in sessions open to the public, for 166 days,
spread over a period of two years, 11 months, and 18 days before
adopting the constitution. After many deliberations and some
modifications, the 308 members of the assembly signed two handwritten
copies of the document, one each in Hindi and English, on January
24, 1950. Two days later, the Constitution of India became the law of
all the Indian lands; and
   WHEREAS, Today, Republic Day is celebrated with much enthusiasm
all over the country and especially in New Delhi, the capital of
India where celebrations commence at the presidential level. The
beginning of the occasion is always a solemn reminder of the
sacrifice of the martyrs who died for the country in the freedom
movement and the succeeding wars for the defense of sovereignty of
the country. The president awards medals of bravery to the people
from the armed forces for their exceptional courage in the field and
also the civilians who have distinguished themselves by their
different acts of valor in situations; and
   WHEREAS, The patriotic fervor of the people on this day brings the
whole country together even in her essential diversity. Every part
of the country is represented on this occasion, which makes Republic
Day the most popular of all the national holidays of India; and
   WHEREAS, Republic Day serves to remind us that the foundation of
any nation and our state is in its people, in their spirit and
courage in the face of adversity, and in their willingness to
sacrifice in the pursuit of freedom and liberty; and
   WHEREAS, Republic Day offers an opportunity to reflect on the many
achievements of the large Asian Indian community here in California,
which is home to the largest population of Asian Indians in the
United States; and
   WHEREAS, Achievements by Asian Indians in America and California
include contributions to all facets of our community, including our
culture and society through their achievements in food, medicine,
business, and technology; now, therefore, be it
   Resolved by the Senate of the State of California, the Assembly
thereof concurring, That the Legislature hereby proclaims January 26,
2015, as India Republic Day, and urges all Californians to join in
celebrating India Republic Day; and be it further
   Resolved, That the Secretary of the Senate transmit copies of this
resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.