CHAPTER 352 - STATE OF DELAWARE - EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT PROCLAMATION
WHEREAS, Music Week has clearly demonstrated the value of music as a unifying force in thousands of local communities and in the nation. For seven days each year widely diversified organizations, individual workers, government officials, and educational leaders all unite in a common desire to extend the influence of music, most democratic of all arts, and the wholesome enjoyment which comes from listening to music and participation in its making; and
WHEREAS, The 1943 Music Week special keynote will be "Foster American and World Unity Through Music". World unity should be the aim of all enlightened leaders, seeking harmony and the establishment of permanent peace in a democratic world, ruled by free peoples. There is no arbitrary formula which can achieve this condition, human nature and the many conflicting individual and national interests being what they are. Our hope therefore must be in the educational process and the increasing thought which all nations devote to the discovery and promotion of our common interests. These interests are many, and music is distinctly one of them. It breathes the spirit of harmony and cooperation, and is an ideal medium for advancing that spirit; and
WHEREAS, the National Recreation Association has offered its sponsorship of Music Week and the President of the United States has endorsed the purpose of this observance.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, Walter W. Bacon, Governor of the State of Delaware, do hereby proclaim and designate the first week of May, beginning on Sunday, May 2, 1943,
AS MUSIC WEEK
During this week the Festival of the Air will be conducted over the four leading National Radio Networks. There will be national events and the observance will be used widely as a setting for patriotic events, war bond rallies and programs to feature the strengthening of friendly ties among the peoples of the United Nations. In all these efforts, let the people of the State of Delaware take active part, keeping in mind that music can be helpful in the war effort as is demonstrated by the fact that music helps morale, relieves nerve strain and refreshes the spirit.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Great Seal of the said State to be hereunto affixed, at Dover, this sixteenth day of April, in the year of our Lord one thousand nine hundred and forty-three and in the year of the Independence of the United States of America, the one hundred and sixty-seventh.
(GREAT SEAL)
By the Governor:
WALTER W. BACON
WILLIAM J. STOREY, Secretary of State.