2D6B751D241599E7872585200073ED07 Hearing Summary

The committee was called to order. All members were present. Senator Ginal, chair, laid out some rules of decorum for the day's proceedings. Senators Williams and Hansen, prime sponsors, presented House Bill 20-1031, concerning the establishment of a new state holiday in place of Columbus Day. Senator Williams explained the effect of the bill and discussed its merits. Senator Hansen provided additional input on the bill.  Committee members received a fact sheet supporting the bill (Attachment A) and a fact sheet supporting the creation of Cabrini Day (Attachment B).

Alisa DiGiacomo, representing History Colorado, testified in support of the bill. Mr. Steve O'Dorisio, representing himself, testified in support of HB 20-1031. Discussion ensued regarding history surrounding Christopher Columbus, and an amendment placed on the bill in the House to name a state holiday after Frances Cabrini.

Olivia Loria, representing herself, testified in support of HB 20-1031. Federico Montoya, representing himself, testified in support of the bill. Frank Sullivan, representing himself, testified in support of the bill. Thad Tecza, representing himself, testified in support of the bill. Discussion ensued regarding changing Columbus Day to Frances Cabrini Day.

Roger Green, representing himself, testified in support of HB 20-1031.

Renee Millard-Chacon, representing herself, testified in support of the bill.

Jill Fleishman, representing herself, testified in support of the bill.

Judy Danielson, representing Mountain View Friends Meeting, testified in support of HB 20-1031. Basim Mahmood, representing Asian Communities Together, testified in support of the bill. Mr. Mahmood responded to questions regarding the timeline of action taken to repeal the Columbus Day holiday.

Joan Policastri, representing herself, testified in support of HB 20-1031. She read the testimony of former Senator Linda Newell (Attachment C). Margaret Brugger, representing herself, testified in support of the bill. Ms. Policastri responded to questions regarding the history Christopher Columbus' era.

Anna Vann, representing herself, testified in opposition to HB 20-1031.  Gerald Louis Carleo, representing the Pueblo Sons of Italy, testified in opposition to the bill. Bob Badorinac, representing himself, testified in opposition to the bill. Charles Michael Prignano, representing OSIA and the Knights of Columbus, testified in opposition to the bill.

Joe Coffee, representing himself, testified in opposition to HB 20-1031.

John Carochi, representing the Sons and Daughters of Italy, testified in opposition to the bill.

Anthony Joseph Adducci Henderson, representing himself, testified in opposition to the bill.

Rick SaBell, representing himself, testified in opposition to the bill.

Frank "Carlo" Amato, representing himself, testified in opposition to the bill. Discussion ensued regarding the potential for discrimination if Columbus Day were to be abolished.

Neva Martinez Ortega, representing the Abolish Columbus Day Committee, testified in support of HB 20-1031.

Jessie Romero, representing herself, testified in support of the bill.

Angela Sedillos, representing herself, testified in support of the bill.

Cynthia Rice, representing herself, testified in support of the bill.

Richard Gianzero, representing himself, testified in support of HB 20-1031.

Hillary Alkire, representing herself, testified in support of the bill.

Sky Roosevelt-Morris, representing herself testified in support of the bill.

Katie Farnan, representing Indivisible, testified in support of HB 20-1031.

Errynn Rodgers, representing ARM, testified in support of the bill.

Kelly Casias, representing himself, testified in support of the bill.

Wally Barrett, representing Claudia Kuhns, testified in support of the bill. He read the testimony of Claudia Kuhns. Discussion ensued regarding historical writings.

Shanon Frances, representing herself, testified in support of HB 20-1031.

Aniwna Frances, representing himself, testified in support of HB 20-1031.

Suzanne Williams, representing herself, testified in support of the bill.

Joseph Medicine Robe, representing All Our Relations, testified in support of the bill.

Marie Venner, representing Together Colorado, testified in support of HB 20-1031. Tink Tinker, representing himself, testified in support of the bill. Glenn Morris, representing AIM and 4 Nations, testified in support of the bill. Discussion ensued regarding the cause of Native American deaths, and certain other aspects of the history of the Americas. Discussion followed regarding the substitution of Frances Cabrini for Christopher Columbus to honor with a state holiday.  A packet of written testimony was entered into the public record (Attachment D).

No amendments were offered to HB 20-1031. The sponsors provided closing remarks in support of the bill, and the committee members provided their positions on the bill.