BILL NUMBER: ACR 120	CHAPTERED
	BILL TEXT

	RESOLUTION CHAPTER  53
	FILED WITH SECRETARY OF STATE  JUNE 12, 2012
	ADOPTED IN SENATE  JUNE 7, 2012
	ADOPTED IN ASSEMBLY  MARCH 22, 2012
	AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY  MARCH 22, 2012

INTRODUCED BY   Assembly Member Nielsen
   (Coauthors: Assembly Members Achadjian, Alejo, Allen, Atkins,
Beall, Bill Berryhill, Block, Blumenfield, Bonilla, Bradford,
Brownley, Buchanan, Butler, Charles Calderon, Campos, Carter,
Cedillo, Chesbro, Conway, Cook, Davis, Dickinson, Donnelly, Eng,
Feuer, Fong, Fuentes, Beth Gaines, Galgiani, Garrick, Gatto, Gordon,
Grove, Hagman, Halderman, Hayashi, Roger Hernández, Hill, Huber,
Hueso, Huffman, Jeffries, Jones, Lara, Ma, Mansoor, Mendoza, Miller,
Mitchell, Monning, Morrell, Nestande, Olsen, Pan, Perea, John A.
Pérez, V. Manuel Pérez, Portantino, Silva, Smyth, Solorio, Swanson,
Torres, Wagner, Williams, and Yamada)
   (Coauthor: Senator La Malfa)

                        MARCH 1, 2012

   Relative to California Cattlemen's Day.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   ACR 120, Nielsen. California Cattlemen's Day.
   This measure would declare March 21, 2012, as California Cattlemen'
s Day and would urge all residents of this state to acknowledge and
pay respect to the men and women, all over the State of California,
who work on the land to enhance and protect it, and who dedicate
their lives to producing healthy food for millions throughout the
world.



   WHEREAS, California has a long tradition of ranching dating back
to the establishment of the first Spanish mission in San Diego in the
early 1700s. By 1834, California's mission operated a herd of beef
cattle estimated at 400,000 head. Under Mexican rule, large "ranchos"
were established, and cattle hides and tallow fueled the state's
economy. The Gold Rush brought hundreds of thousands of new citizens
to the state, as well as a new demand for beef, and many of today's
ranches were established prior to or shortly following the discovery
of gold at Sutter's Mill; and
   WHEREAS, Today, California's cattlemen and cattlewomen represent
an industry as diverse as any in the world and the traditions of land
stewardship have been passed down through generations. California's
cattlemen and cattlewomen own or manage approximately 38 million of
California's 100 million acres of privately and publicly owned
rangelands. California's working rangelands provide public benefits
such as open space, ground water recharge, carbon sequestration, fuel
load reductions and habitat for wildlife. With more than 90 percent
of California rainfall flowing through rangeland on its way to other
uses, the health and maintenance of these rangelands is imperative;
and
   WHEREAS, California is home to nearly 12,000 family farms and
ranches raising livestock, many of which have been passed down for
multiple generations; and
   WHEREAS, California remains the nation's largest agricultural
producing state and agriculture is California's top grossing
industry. Beef and cattle production plays no small part in
contributing to California's robust agricultural industry and
contributes $1.75 billion to the California economy; and
   WHEREAS, The long-term success of all segments of the beef
industry, from pasture to plate, require the careful stewardship of
our state's natural resources and the ongoing commitment to ensuring
top quality health and welfare for the animals in their care. So well
managed is this land, that numerous studies have found grazing to
benefit habitat for multiple endangered and threatened species; now,
therefore, be it
   Resolved by the Assembly of the State of California, the Senate
thereof concurring, That the Legislature declares March 21, 2012, as
California Cattlemen's Day, and all residents of this state are urged
to acknowledge and pay respect to the men and women, all over the
State of California, who work on the land to enhance and protect it,
and who dedicate their lives to producing healthy food for millions
throughout the world; and be it further
   Resolved, That the Chief Clerk of the Assembly transmit copies of
this resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.