California Black Media and Historical Accountablity

BILL NUMBER: AB 59
VETOED DATE: 09/29/2004

California Commission for the Preservation of
African-American History, Culture, and Institutions.


Existing law establishes the California African-American Museum
for the purpose of preserving, collecting, and displaying samples of
African-American contributions to the arts, sciences, religion,
education, literature, entertainment, politics, sports, and history
of the state and the nation.

This bill would establish the California Commission for the
Preservation of African-American History, Culture, and Institutions
in state government, to consist of a specified membership, and to be
headquartered in the California African-American Museum. It would
require the commission to conduct public hearings to identify the
contributions of African-Americans to California history and culture,
chronicle the activities of African-Americans who have made
significant contributions to the history and culture of California in
all fields of endeavor, and identify institutions and places of
significance in the contributions of African-Americans to the history
and culture of California and provide for the placement of an
appropriate marker at these sites.


To the Members of the California State:

I am returning Assembly Bill 59 without my signature.

The establishment of a new commission is not necessary. The
Legislature and the Administration can create commissions to advise
them without the need for legislation. As I said in my State of the
State I am going to blow up the boxes; this bill creates new boxes
without explaining the need for a new commission. The Legislature
and the Administration have many resources to advise them on the
issues that this commission is being created for.

For these reasons I am returning Assembly Bill 59 without my
signature.

Sincerely,

Arnold Schwarzenegger