REFERENCE TITLE: Chicanx history week

State of Arizona Senate Fifty-third Legislature Second Regular Session 2018

SCR 1023

Introduced by Senators Mendez: Dalessandro, Quezada

 

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION

 

proclaiming February 2-8, 2018 as Chicanx History Week in Arizona.

 

 

(TEXT OF BILL BEGINS ON NEXT PAGE)

 

Whereas, February 2, 1848, the date the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo was signed, is commonly regarded as the birth date of Chicanx; and

      Whereas, people of Mexican origin and descent have greatly contributed to the economy, development and growth of this state and the nation, serving the arts, business, media, industry, agriculture, education and society in myriad ways; and

      Whereas, despite being promised the rights of citizenship by treaty, early Mexican-Americans were stripped of their land, homes and property; and

Whereas, early Mexican-Americans faced seemingly insurmountable hardships as their basic rights were denied, their language and culture were suppressed and their opportunities for employment, education and political representation were thwarted; and

Whereas, as frequently is the case with national boundary changes resulting from war treaties, early Mexican-Americans found their historical documentation destroyed and their constitutional rights abrogated, leaving them stripped of their dignity, unique culture and recorded contributions to society; and

Whereas, the presumed superiority of the conquerors of the Mexican‑American people resulted in the promotion of a disparaging image of those of Mexican descent; and

Whereas, historian Rodolfo Alvarez has divided the development of the Mexican-American population into four categories: the pre‑1900 creation generation, the migrant generation, which is allied with Mexico by culture, language and loyalty, the Mexican‑American generation, consisting of individuals who regard themselves as American citizens of Mexican descent, and the Chicanx generation of today, which is a combination of, but distinctly separate from, the previous three; and

Whereas, Chicanx recognize that they are the result of a unique confluence of histories, cultures, languages and traditions: the mezcla, which is La Raza; and

Whereas, during the Chicanx Movement of the 1960s and the 1970s, valiant Chicanx adamantly decried capricious attempts by the dominant Anglo culture to mold them into a monocultural, monolingual image; and

Whereas, in a complex and diversified cultural society, it is essential to understand, accept and appreciate all traditions and lifestyles in order to eliminate prejudice and the other effects of stereotyping that have plagued our nation for centuries; and

Whereas, the people of this state must recognize that the cultural and intellectual development of the proud Mexican-American people includes not only American accomplishments but also those of indigenous origin, which predate the first English settlement in the United States by over half a century.

Therefore

Be it resolved by the Senate of the State of Arizona, the House of Representatives concurring:

1.  That the Members of the Legislature proclaim February 2‑8, 2018 as Chicanx History Week in Arizona to commemorate the signing of the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo on February 2, 1848.

2.  That the Members of the Legislature extend accolades of tribute, high praise, appreciation and appropriate recognition to these North Americans and their descendants whose citizenship, under the terms of the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, literally changed overnight from Mexican to American.