The work we have presented is far from finished. Many important topics are not covered in this report, such as Latino political participation, welfare, and many other aspects of education, health, criminal justice and immigration. We have identified some of the major issues that need urgent action, hoping to forestall threatening trends which jeopardize California's progress. We see a very bright future for this state if this report and the numerous excellent studies already produced are taken seriously at decision-making levels.

Across the State, SCR 43 has brought together more than two-hundred members of the University community and health, education, welfare and criminal justice professionals to focus their experience, expertise and imagination on the status of Latinos in California. The SCR 43 project has engendered, in addition to the report, two important instances of cooperation. First, the joining of the legislature and the University in the SCR 43 effort is of major historical significance in both the State and nation. Second, the rare conjunction of community and university professionals to focus on the University's role in the California of today and tomorrow, and what that role can and should be, has resulted in an increase of understanding and communication. It is not often that researchers and professionals can unite to reflect upon their roles in the service of the State's population, and to bend their intelligence and inspiration toward improvement of that service. SCR 43 has provided that opportunity to many individuals. SCR 43 also has heightened interest in the changing population of California and awareness of the challenges these changes present the State.

But this is not enough. A profound change in attitude is in order, a change that must come from all members of this society. We have to acknowledge the strengths and weaknesses inherent in California's diverse population and to continue building toward a state enriched by its culture and opportunity. Our resources, people, and long history of high achievement provide an excellent base with which to work. Yet discrimination, lack of opportunity, and incorrect perceptions about what needs to be done may impede us from maintaining the excellence and competitiveness necessary to the humane, highly civilized society to which we aspire.

The requisite actions lie not only in the hands of our universities, our government and the private sector, but in the hands of all of us -- our families, our workplaces, our communities. We have to be willing to give of ourselves and to accept our differences. And we have to act. Reports like this are only as good as the positive actions they provoke. We hope that our report will be read, discussed and acted upon. If this happens, we will need mechanisms to monitor and follow those actions we have recommended. Two such mechanisms are suggested in the report: The appointment of a University of California Advisory Committee on Latino Issues, and the establishment of a legislative policy analysis organization.

In this report, the SCR 43 Task Force has provided a basis for the development of options, planning, and identification of resources which must follow. Above all, we need personal commitment to the directions we provide in this report, for the path into California's next era will be difficult. California is undergoing a most important merge of cultures. Nowhere else, or at any other point in history, have people of so many cultures - Cambodians, Central Americans, Chinese, Europeans, Italians, Koreans, Mexicans, Native Americans, and South Americans -- lived together, preserved their individual cultures, and yet made their larger, combined society work. This is a historical event, and we have the power to see that this unprecedented mixing of cultures is an unparalleled success.

What goes on in California is important not only in the United States but in a very immediate and tangible way it is important throughout the world

Harvard Philosopher Stanley N. Katz, President of the American Council of learned Societies, addressing the University of California Regents