California State Proclamations & Bills
California Senate
Assembly Concurrent Resolution #114
By Bill Betten, Co-Director of the California WW1 Centennial Task Force
The final steps for official California state recognition of the centennial and the California WW1 Centennial Task Force came at the Senate Floor Hearing of September 7, 2017. Here ACR114 was again presented and read from the floor by State Senator Jim Beall. The resolution was unanimously passed into law.
Sen. Jim Beall presents ARC 114 in the California Senate
Floor of the California Senate hearing ARC 114 being read.
Senator Jim Beall reads ARC 114
Accounting of the Senate Vote on ACR 114
To view the passing of this bill visit the California Digital Democracy webpage and under Agendized Bills scroll down to ACR 114 World War I commemoration, and click on "(View Video)"
California Assembly
Assembly Concurrent Resolution #114
During the Assembly Floor Hearing of August 28, 2017, ACR 114 was presented and passed unanimously to proceed to the Senate for approval. Points of the bill that were read stated:
- ACR 114 will designate the time period between August 5th, 2017 and November 11th, 2018 as a time where we observe the commemoration period of the 100th anniversary of the United States involvement in the First World War.
- ACR 114 will proclaim the support for the California World War I Centennial Task Force's mission, which is to use the centennial as a timely and essential opportunity to encourage all Californians to learn more about the United States' involvement in World War I and the role that California citizens played in the war.
- On April 6th, 1917, the United States entered what was then known as the Great War in Europe. And over the course of just 19 months, America lost nearly 117,000 brave individuals. California's contribution to the Great War was significant.
- The Golden State sent more 122,000 of its sons and daughters to war in World War I, 3,329 of whom did not return home and eight who received the Medal of Honor for their actions during the war.
- August 5th, 1917, marks a date of historical significance to the people of California. Although there were Californians already serving the various branches of the US Armed
- Forces prior to the start of the war, August 5th, 1917 is the date that draftees from California reported to camps for service. 100 years ago, thousands of Californians fought and died in the Great War.
- The courage and sacrifice of these men and women who served should never be forgotten.
ACR 114 had 68 co-authors. This list included almost all of the members of the assembly.
To view the passing of this bill visit the California Digital Democracy webpage and under Agendized Bills scroll down to ACR 114 World War I commemoration, and click on "(View Video)"
Assembly Concurrent Resolution #114
California Senate and Assembly Veterans Affairs Committee
Committee Bill Consideration
World War One Centennial Commemoration
Two members of the California WW1 Centennial Task Force were asked to attend the Committee on Veterans Affairs meeting on the afternoon of August 22, 2017. Co-Director Sal Compagno of Berkley representing the northern half of the state, and Co-Director Bill Betten of San Bernardino representing the southern half of California came to Sacramento at the request of Assembly Member Richard Bloom to address the Veterans Affairs Committee regarding California's roll in the centennial commemoration and its support of Assembly Concurrent Resolution #114.
ACR 114 will designate the time period between August 5th, 2017, and November 11th, 2018, as a time where we 
From left to right: California WW1 Centennial Task Force Co-Director Bill Betten, Assembly Member Rocky Chávez of the California Veterans Affairs Committee, ACR 114 author Assembly Member Richard Bloom, and Task Force Co-Director Sal Compagno.observe the commemoration period of the 100th anniversary of the United States involvement in the First World War. The bill will proclaim the support for the California World War I Centennial Task Force's mission, which is to use the centennial as a timely and essential opportunity to encourage all Californians to learn more about the United States' involvement in World War I and the role that California citizens played in the war.
It was the recommendation of the committee to approve presenting to the Senate and Assembly ACR 114 for passage.
State Historical Resources Commission
Resolution No. 2017-1
World War One Centennial Commemoration
From left to right: California State Hist. Resources Commissioner Marshall McKay, California WW1 Centennial Task Force Co-Director Bill Betten, Task Force Co-Director Courtland Jindra, and State Historic Preservation Officer Julianne Polanco
The California State Historical Resources Commission passed Resolution No. 2017-1, acknowledging the historic aspects of the United States involvement in World War One and the part Californians played in it. At 9:00 A.M. on May 10, 2017, in the Council Chamber of the Pasadena City Hall at 100 North Garfield Avenue, Room S249 in Pasadena, CA, the commission presented a copy of this document to the Managing Board of the California WW1 Centennial Task Force represented by Courtland Jindra and Bill Betten. The resolution also recognized the California WW1 Centennial Task Force and "its efforts to coordinate the commemoration in our state in order to honor the sacrifices made by Californians during the First World War." Another long-time WW1 Centennial Task Force supporter, Kim Jindra, proudly stood by to record the moment when Commissioner Marshall McKay, Chair of the State Historical Resources Commission, and Julianne Polanco, State Historic Preservation Officer and Executive Secretary to the Commission presented the important endorsement.
As Commissioner McKay read the resolution aloud, Bill Betten was pleased to hear all of the research that went into the wording, but said, "I was delighted at the resolution's specific recognition of the Task Force's roll in the commemoration efforts. Julianne Polanco, the State Historic Preservation Officer had clearly done her homework.
A recording of the entire May 10, 2017, Commission Meeting is available as a video link via CAL-SPAN, but If you visit the 2017 Minutes and Meeting Recordings page of the Office of Historic Preservation (http://ohp.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=21754) and click on the viewing icon at part V. RESOLUTIONS under section A. WW I National Remembrance you can view just that section of the meeting where the California WW1 Centennial Task Force was recognized.
State Historical Resources Commission Resolution No. 2017-1
Local Communities Formal Resolutions & Proclamations
Throughout the state local governments have already stepped forward to formally begin commemorations of the 100-year-old war. The efforts of numerous California city and county councils to officially commemorate the centennial of WW1 and the sacrifice of those who served in name of liberty and freedom is hereby documented below.
Very early on Yolo County was one of the first, if not the first, to recognize the centennial passing a resolution on November 8, 2016.
Yolo County
Board of Supervisors
Resolution No. 16-103
Proclaiming April 6, 2017 through November 11, 2018 a Period to Recognize and Honor Yolo County’s Service in World War I
WHEREAS, a hundred years ago the United States of America entered the catastrophic event known as the Great War, which was to place Yolo County on a war footing and was to impact and change the lives of all 14,000 residents of the County; and
WHEREAS, it is important to remember the very significant role that Yolo County played in the agricultural efforts and developments that were needed to ensure the Army and the starving of Europe were fed; and
WHEREAS, we should also acknowledge all the citizens of the county who dedicated themselves tirelessly to providing support for the war effort and succor to the troops; and
WHEREAS, we must never forget the 200 men from Yolo who volunteered and joined the armed services on their own volition, including the members of Yolo County’s Company F of the National Guard; and
WHEREAS, it is right and proper that we also recognize the nearly 700 young men who were selected by Yolo County to serve in the National Army and to “carry on their shoulders the cause of humanity and democracy”; and
WHEREAS, we must never forget the over thirty young men who made the supreme sacrifice and gave their lives for county and country; and
WHEREAS, by honoring those who fought and gave their lives a hundred years ago we honor all those from Yolo County who have ever served their country and let them know that we will never forget; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Yolo County Board of Supervisors declare
April 6, 2017 to November 11, 2018 as a period to commemorate the Great War; and to call on veteran's groups, churches, schools, clubs and organizations, newspapers, media outlets, and residents of the county to set aside time during this period to recognize and honor all those who served, and in particular to gather at 11:00 am, Saturday, November 11, 2018 on the steps of the Yolo County Court House to commemorate all those that made the ultimate sacrifice.
PASSED AND ADOPTED this 8th day of November, 2016 by the following votes:
AYES: Chamberlain, Villegas, Saylor, Rexroad, Provenza.
Jim Provenza, Chair
Yolo County Board of Supervisors
City of Montclair
Proclamation
One of the first cities to make a proclamation was the City of Montclair, California. Their proclamation was passed on April 3, 2017, three days before the 100th anniversary of the United States entering the war. It was presented to the California WW1 Centennial Task Force at the April 6th commemoration held in Southern California at Claremont-McKenna College campus. Task Force Co-Director, Bill Betten received the document from Councilmembers Bill Ruh (past Mayor Pro Tem,) and Trisha Martinez.
City of Claremont
Certificate of Recognition
Also at the April 6th commemoration held at Claremont-McKenna College campus, the City of Claremont presented the California WW1 Centennial Task Force with the following recognition. Bill Betten was proud to accept the certificate on behalf of the California WW1 Centennial Task Force from Claremont Mayor Larry Schroder. Marcia Richter, the City of Claremont's Director of Human Services was also on hand for the presentation.
City of Covina
Certificate of Recognition
On the 22nd of April, 2017, the City of Covina presented the California WW1 Centennial Task Force with a certificate to recognize it as the state commemorating body and acknowledged their appreciation. On the steps of their Heritage House, Mayor Jorge Marquez presented the document to Co-Director Bill Betten, who accepted on behalf of the entire state Task Force.
