Greetings: Some of you may recall that Assemblymember Anthony Pescetti authored proposed legislation (AB 1779; 2000 and AB 1368; 2001) that would have created the California Historic Cemetery Commission to work toward identifying our state's early cemeteries and reviewing the problems that plague them. Thanks to Governor Gray Davis, we didn't get our historic cemetery commission because the Governor vetoed the bill even though it passed both the state senate and assembly nearly unanimously. Had the governor not vetoed the bill, perhaps our state would be able to put together a pivotal program as Oregon has done (see at http://www.shpo.state.or.us/news.php?id=371 or below). It is incomprehensible to me as a Californian, that our great state could be outdone by Oregon, a state of great natural resources but not necessarily of the financial wealth California has generally enjoyed. If you still believe the State of California has an obligation to help protect, preserve and conserve our state's historic cemeteries, I would invite you all to send that message to Gray Davis. mailto:governor@governor.ca.gov . Ask him: How is it Oregon can afford to attend to the needs of its' historic cemeteries while California ignores them at every step? Why did you really vetoe AB 1779 in 2000? (It's a receiving mailbox, but maybe if enough of us send him the message, the next time this matter comes up, it will be enacted.) You might wish to copy your own state representatives to let them know how you feel. If you live in a county where they are allowing your historic cemeteries to be bulldozed or neglected off the face of this earth, you might want to check the new California Saving Graves website at http://www.usgennet.org/usa/ca/state/ . I am the El Dorado County Coordinator for California Saving Graves and have posted some background on California's laws, one of which VESTED TITLE TO THE PUBLIC CEMETERIES IN THE PEOPLE and, through the people, the board of supervisors of the counties are the authority for their management and control. If no one is minding the store when it comes to your county's historic cemeteries, you might wish to review some of the law. The El Dorado County site is linked to the California Saving Graves site or you may see it direct at http://www.usgennet.org/usa/ca/county/eldorado/ . Every cemetery lost in this state may represent a break in information of family histories yet to be discovered. Every cemetery lost in this state represents yet another stitch dropping out of the moral fabric of our society. We need to get together now and work together to stop the decay, neglect, desecration and obliteration of our state's historic burying grounds. Sincerely, Sue Silver El Dorado County, CA (The press release below is found on the Oregon State Historic Preservation Office website. It is a state cemetery association created by the Oregon state legislature. This is similar to what we could have had, had Gray Davis not vetoed Mr. Pescetti's bill in 2000.) Survey of historic cemeteries launched Survey attached to this release April 25th, 2002 Contact Name: Mirra Meyer, 503-378-4168, ext. 335 Contact Email: Mirra.Meyer@state.or.us #02-29 For immediate release: The Oregon Pioneer Cemetery Commission launched its spring survey of historic cemeteries today, continuing efforts to build a registry and acquire up-to-date information on the condition of historic burial sites throughout the state. Commission Coordinator Mirra Meyer said the survey will provide "essential information" needed to develop a cemetery preservation grants program. "We're asking individual volunteers, school groups and service and special interest organizations to help us gather information on the conditions of historic cemeteries and gravesites of people who died before February 14, 1909," said Meyer. "We're hoping they will fill out the questionnaires as they prepare cemeteries for Memorial Day observances and make annual visits to family plots." June 10 is the deadline for returning questionnaires that will provide data for this year's inventory. She stressed, however, that the commission welcomes survey information at any time. Survey forms can be downloaded (Acrobat required) or acquired by e-mailing Meyer at mirra.meyer@state.or.us. The questionnaires also can be acquired through regular mail by writing to Meyer at SHPO, 1115 Commercial Street NE, Suite 2, Salem, OR 97301-1012.