WHEREAS, until 1971, February 12 and February 22 were observed as federal holidays to honor the birthdays of Abraham Lincoln and George Washington respectively; and

WHEREAS, in 1971, President Richard Nixon proclaimed one single federal holiday, Presidents' Day, honoring all past presidents of the United States of America; and

WHEREAS, until 1990, February 12 and February 22 were observed as State holidays to honor the birthdays of Abraham Lincoln and George Washington respectively; and

WHEREAS, in 1990, Delaware began celebrating Presidents' Day as a State holiday to replace separate holidays for Presidents Washington and Lincoln; and

WHEREAS, every president of our country has contributed something meaningful to its progress, but no president has distinguished himself in personal deportment, in the execution of office, and in almost universal respect as have Presidents George Washington and Abraham Lincoln; and

WHEREAS, including Presidents Washington and Lincoln in a holiday for all presidents diminishes the unparalleled integrity and the unique contributions of those two preeminent American leaders; and

WHEREAS, George Washington - the hero of the American Revolution, "the Indispensable Man" - almost single-handedly held our struggling young Republic together and shaped this country's governmental institutions, offices, and political practices; and

WHEREAS, Abraham Lincoln - ennobler of the principles of the Declaration of Independence whose legacy greatly improved the moral and political character of our nation - preserved the Union in the midst of the great Civil War and freed the slaves in the Confederate States; and

WHEREAS, the two most revered presidents of the United States, "the Father of our Nation" and "the Great Emancipator", deserve individual recognition and honor for their extraordinary roles in America's history;

NOW, THEREFORE:

BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE:

Section 1. Amend §501(a), Title 1 of the Delaware Code by striking "the third Monday in February, known as Presidents' Day;" and by substituting in lieu thereof the following:

"the 12^th of February, known as Lincoln's Birthday; the 22^nd of February, known as Washington's Birthday;".