Pennsylvania HR 25: A Concurrent Resolution establishing the Pennsylvania State Song Commission to study the history of the State song of the Commonwealth, solicit submissions for a new State song and recommend changes to the State song.

Bill Text

PRINTER'S NO. 280
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE RESOLUTION
No. 25
Session of
2025
INTRODUCED BY CIRESI, GIRAL, HADDOCK, SANCHEZ, GUENST, DIAMOND,
HILL-EVANS, KHAN, NEILSON, FLEMING, VENKAT, PASHINSKI,
WAXMAN, SOLOMON, CERRATO AND GREEN, JANUARY 27, 2025
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON STATE GOVERNMENT, JANUARY 27, 2025
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
Establishing the Pennsylvania State Song Commission to study the
history of the State song of the Commonwealth, solicit
submissions for a new State song and recommend changes to the
State song.
WHEREAS, During the 1987-1988 legislative session, the chair
of the House State Government Committee led a committee tasked
with recommending a State song for the Commonwealth; and
WHEREAS, The committee was composed of representatives from
the Pennsylvania Music Educators Association, the Pennsylvania
Council on the Arts, professional musicians and members of the
public; and
WHEREAS, After receiving hundreds of song submissions from
the public, the committee selected the song "Pennsylvania" by
Eddie Khoury and Ronnie Bonner; and
WHEREAS, The act of November 29, 1990 (P.L.598, No.150),
referred to as the Official State Song Act, adopted the song
"Pennsylvania" as the official State song of the Commonwealth;
and
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WHEREAS, It is in the interest of this Commonwealth to adopt
a State song that represents the culture, history, spirit and
people of Pennsylvania; therefore be it
RESOLVED (the Senate concurring), That the General Assembly
establish the Pennsylvania State Song Commission to study the
history of the State song of the Commonwealth, solicit
submissions for a new State song and recommend changes to the
State song, which shall not be binding unless enacted by a
subsequent act of the General Assembly; and be it further
RESOLVED, That the commission consist of the following
members:
(1) one member appointed by the Majority Leader of the
Senate;
(2) one member appointed by the Minority Leader of the
Senate;
(3) one member appointed by the Majority Leader of the
House of Representatives;
(4) one member appointed by the Minority Leader of the
House of Representatives;
(5) one representative from the Pennsylvania Music
Educators Association;
(6) one representative from the Pennsylvania Council on
the Arts;
(7) one representative from the American Federation of
Musicians who, at the time of the formation of the
commission, resides in this Commonwealth; and
(8) two members of the public appointed by the Governor;
and be it further
RESOLVED, That the commission hold its first meeting within
60 days of the adoption of this resolution and meet no less than
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quarterly thereafter; and be it further
RESOLVED, That at its first meeting, the commission elect one
member to serve as chair of the commission; and be it further
RESOLVED, That the commission has the authority to add
additional members to the commission and create subgroups within
the commission as it sees fit; and be it further
RESOLVED, That the commission seek comments and submissions
from the public on recommendations for a new State song; and be
it further
RESOLVED, That the commission choose a song, or songs, to
recommend to the General Assembly to become the new State song;
and be it further
RESOLVED, That the members of the commission serve without
compensation but be reimbursed for all necessary and reasonable
expenses incurred in the performance of their duties; and be it
further
RESOLVED, That reasonable expenses incurred by the commission
be equally divided between the Senate and the House of
Representatives; and be it further
RESOLVED, That the approval of the President pro tempore of
the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives be
required to preauthorize all proposed actions of the commission
that will entail the expenditure of State funds and approve all
expenditures, including expense reimbursement requests of
commission members, prior to payment; and be it further
RESOLVED, That nothing in this concurrent resolution preclude
the commission from consulting or seeking the expertise of any
individual, nonprofit entity, Commonwealth agency or office or
legislative committee of the General Assembly to aid with the
selection of a new State song; and be it further
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RESOLVED, That the commission issue a final report with its
findings and recommendations to the General Assembly within 12
months of the adoption of this resolution.
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