HR 54
Page 1
Date of Hearing: August 21, 2025
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON RULES
Blanca Pacheco, Chair
HR 54 (Fong) – As Introduced August 18, 2025
SUBJECT: Cantonese Culture Day.
SUMMARY: Celebrates August 15, 2025, as Cantonese Culture Day, recognizing the diversity
and contributions of our Cantonese communities. Specifically, this resolution makes the
following legislative findings:
1) Cantonese is a language closely associated with a distinct culture originating from the City of
Guangzhou in the southern province of Guangdong, China.
2) Cantonese is by far the largest non-Mandarin spoken variant of Chinese. And, Taishanese,
linguistically related to Cantonese, served as the bridge language in many overseas Chinese
immigrant communities, including many of California’s Chinatowns.
3) Cantonese people were among the earliest Chinese immigrants to the United States, arriving
as early as 1821, and played a pivotal role in California’s Gold Rush Era, the construction of
the United States’ first transcontinental railroad, and the establishment of California’s
agricultural industry.
4) A number of prominent United States citizens are of Cantonese descent, including Wong
Kim Ark, whose landmark Supreme Court case affirmed the right of birthright citizenship for
millions of Americans, Hiram Fong, the first Chinese American United States Senator, Judy
Chu, the first Chinese American woman elected to Congress, and more.
5) California has the largest number of Cantonese speakers in the United States by far, and
Cantonese people continue to contribute to the culture, economy, and vibrancy of California.
6) The 15th day of the eighth month of the lunar calendar is the Mid-Autumn Festival, a
traditional harvest festival that is one of the most important celebrations in Chinese culture,
bringing family together to give thanks and well wishes.
FISCAL EFFECT: This resolution is keyed non-fiscal by Legislative Counsel.
REGISTERED SUPPORT / OPPOSITION:
Support
None on file
Opposition
None on file
Analysis Prepared by: Michael Erke / RLS. / (916) 319-2800