BILL NUMBER: SR 39 INTRODUCED BILL TEXT INTRODUCED BY Senators Hall, De León, Galgiani, Glazer, Hueso, Jackson, Lara, Mendoza, Mitchell, and Pan JULY 8, 2015 Relative to immigration. LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST HOUSE OR SENATE RESOLUTIONS DO NOT CONTAIN A DIGEST WHEREAS, The United States of America was founded on the principles of liberty and justice, and these principles enshrined in our Declaration of Independence the self-evident truth that all persons are created equal; and WHEREAS, The United States was and continues to be built by people of all ethnic, racial, gender, religious, and socioeconomic backgrounds and is celebrated for its tolerance, diversity, and freedom; and WHEREAS, California is home to the largest population of immigrants in the United States whose contributions help to drive this state to be the most economically successful and prosperous in the nation; and WHEREAS, Immigrants continue to develop and expand businesses, innovate, strengthen our economy, and create jobs in California; and WHEREAS, A study by the University of California, Los Angeles, states that legalizing the status of undocumented immigrants working and living in the United States would create approximately $1.5 trillion in additional gross domestic product growth over the next 10 years and increase wages for all workers; and WHEREAS, Immigrants fundamentally enrich the extraordinary character of our nation with their unique cultures, heritages, and experiences; and WHEREAS, California's short-term and long-term economic and social health, security, and prosperity require policies that allow individuals to become legal and enfranchised participants in our society and economy; and WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of California has officially recognized the value and importance of immigrants in California through the unanimous, bipartisan support of Senate Joint Resolution 2, and Senate Resolution 35; and WHEREAS, The California State Legislature has engaged in thoughtful, respectful discourse on immigration and other challenging issues, often uniting in bipartisan support and always respecting the diverse individual views and beliefs of the membership and of the people they represent; and WHEREAS, In 2015, the United States has experienced many historic changes promoting civil rights and progressive social change throughout the nation; and WHEREAS, In 2015, the United States has also experienced tragic events that remind us that more work is needed to achieve equality and justice for all persons; and WHEREAS, Recent events throughout the country have moved the nation to engage in meaningful public dialogue on issues including racial equality, gender equality, LGBT equality, immigration, and other civil rights; and WHEREAS, Negative, demonizing, and stereotypical rhetoric has no place in the national political discourse; and WHEREAS, Racist, hateful speech can incite severe and tragic consequences; and WHEREAS, Aspiring national leaders, in particular, have a responsibility to engage the public on immigration reform and other issues in a thoughtful and respectful way without disparaging or negatively stereotyping communities or individuals; and WHEREAS, Presidential candidates including Donald Trump and Ted Cruz have unfairly demonized and falsely blamed undocumented immigrant families for a range of problems and challenges facing the United States; and WHEREAS, Presidential candidate Donald Trump recently stated that, "When Mexico sends its people, they're not sending their best. They' re sending people that have lots of problems, and they're bringing those problems with us. They're bringing drugs. They're bringing crime. They're rapists,"; and WHEREAS, Presidential candidate Ted Cruz has defended Presidential candidate Donald Trump's racist remarks against immigrant families and people of Mexican descent; and WHEREAS, Presidential candidate Ted Cruz characterized United States immigration as "policies that] have encouraged drug smugglers, child abusers, murderers, and other dangerous criminals"; now, therefore, be it Resolved by the Senate of the State of California, That the Senate condemns discrimination in any form on the basis of race, ethnicity, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability; and be it further Resolved, That the Senate calls for an end to hate speech and racist rhetoric by all presidential candidates; and be it further Resolved, That the Senate condemns in the strongest terms possible the racist rhetoric against immigrant families made by Presidential candidate Ted Cruz; and be it further Resolved, That the Senate condemns in the strongest terms possible the racist rhetoric against immigrant families made by Presidential candidate Donald Trump; and be it further Resolved, That the Senate calls upon the State of California to divest from Donald Trump, The Trump Organization, and any affiliated entities; and be it further Resolved, That the Senate calls upon private businesses and individuals throughout California to end all business ties with Donald Trump, The Trump Organization, and any affiliated entities; and be it further Resolved, That the Secretary of the Senate transmit copies of this resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.