100TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2017 and 2018
HB4105

 

Introduced , by Rep. Mary E. Flowers

 

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:
 
5 ILCS 490/64 new

    Amends the State Commemorative Dates Act. Provides that beginning in September of 2018, the month of September of each year is designated as Education of Original National Anthem Month to be observed throughout the State as a month set apart to promote the study of the history behind the creation of "The Star-Spangled Banner", including its original lyrics and the individuals represented by those lyrics. Effective immediately.


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A BILL FOR

 

HB4105LRB100 14824 RJF 29644 b

1    AN ACT concerning government.
 
2    WHEREAS, Most Americans are not aware of the full history
3and origin of what would become our National Anthem; and
 
4    WHEREAS, the vacancies in the stories told about our
5collective history must be filled in with every honest and
6humble effort, so that all citizens of every race are able to
7face the complex emotions and disturbing facts that feed so
8much of the animosity and confusion present in our society
9today; and
 
10    WHEREAS, That animosity and confusion fuels the divisions
11and misunderstandings that threaten the peace and act as an
12ever-present obstacle to our advancement as a society in the
13cause of justice and lasting peace for all; and
 
14    WHEREAS, The many issues concerning race in America in
15conjunction with the overarching sense of what the American
16flag and the National Anthem mean to different people is of
17compelling importance at this time in our history; and
 
18    WHEREAS, Teachers and scholars are available throughout
19our State to assist young and old alike in building a base of
20knowledge from which to bring minds and hearts to a common
21understanding in furtherance of what still remains our
22Constitutional imperative, which is to continue the onward

 

 

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1march towards establishing a more perfect union; therefore
 
2    Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois,
3represented in the General Assembly:
 
4    Section 5. The State Commemorative Dates Act is amended by
5adding Section 64 as follows:
 
6    (5 ILCS 490/64 new)
7    Sec. 64. Education of Original National Anthem Month.
8Beginning in September of 2018 and for each September
9thereafter, the month of September is designated as Education
10of Original National Anthem Month to be observed throughout the
11State as a month set apart to promote the study of the history
12behind the creation of "The Star-Spangled Banner", including
13its original lyrics and the individuals represented by those
14lyrics.
 
15    Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect upon
16becoming law.