BILL NUMBER: SCR 62	INTRODUCED
	BILL TEXT


INTRODUCED BY   Senator Mendoza

                        MAY 13, 2015

   Relative to Portugal Day.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   SCR 62, as introduced, Mendoza. Portugal Day.
   This act would declare June 10, 2015, as Portugal Day to celebrate
Portuguese national heritage.
   Fiscal committee: no.



   WHEREAS, In September of 1542, Portuguese explorer João Rodrigues
Cabrillo sailed a ship into San Diego Bay, becoming 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, In 1870, Portuguese immigrants began arriving in the
United States in relatively large numbers. The majority of these
Portuguese immigrants were men from the Azores, who were primarily
recruited to work on American whaling ships and to farm; and
   WHEREAS, Between 1900 and 1940, as much as one-half of the
Portuguese community in California owned or operated a dairy farm,
worked on a dairy farm, or worked in a dairy-supporting industry.
Applying the Portuguese belief in hard work and thriftiness, along
with additional labor from family members, a Portuguese settler could
earn enough to reinvest in his business, buying land and more dairy
cows; 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
   WHEREAS, Portuguese Americans have truly made valuable and
substantial contributions to every facet of California life.
Portuguese Americans continue to thrive in agricultural communities
of the Santa Clara and San Joaquin Valleys. Today, over 350,000
Portuguese Americans reside in California.; and
   WHEREAS, Portuguese national literary icon Luís de Camões wrote
Portugal's national epic poem, Os Lusíadas, celebrating the
15th-century Portuguese explorations which brought fame and fortune
to the country. The poem, considered one of the finest and most
important works in Portuguese literature, became a symbol for the
great feats of the Portuguese Empire; and
   WHEREAS, Dia de Portugal, de Camões e das Comunidades Portuguesas,
translated as "Day of Portugal, Camões, and the Portuguese
Communities," commemorates the death of Luís de Camões on June 10,
1580; now, therefore, be it
   Resolved by the Senate of the State of California, the Assembly
thereof concurring, That the Legislature hereby declares June 10,
2015, as Portugal Day, a day to celebrate Portuguese national
heritage; and be it further
   Resolved, That the Secretary of the Senate transmit copies of this
resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.