SPONSOR:

Sen. Simpson

DELAWARE STATE SENATE

146th GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 12

COMMEMORATING THE OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENTS AND CONTRIBUTIONS MADE BY SCOTTISH-AMERICANS TO THE UNITED STATES BY PROCLAIMING APRIL 6, 2011 AS NATIONAL TARTAN DAY .

WHEREAS, April 6 has a special significance for all Americans, and especially those Americans of Scottish descent, because the Declaration of Arbroath, the Scottish Declaration of Independence, was signed on April 6, 1320, and the American Declaration of Independence was modeled in part on that inspirational document; and

WHEREAS, this Resolution honors the major role that Scottish-Americans played in the founding of the Nation, such as the fact that almost half of the signers of the Declaration of Independence were of Scottish descent, the Governors in 9 of the original 13 States were of Scottish ancestry, including the First State’s own Governor John McKinly, and Scottish-Americans successfully helped shape the Nation in its formative years and guide it through its most troubled times; and

WHEREAS, this Resolution recognizes the monumental achievements and invaluable contributions made by Scottish-Americans that have led to America's preeminence in the fields of science, technology, medicine, government, politics, economics, architecture, literature, media, and visual and performing arts; and

WHEREAS, this Resolution commends the more than 200 organizations throughout the United States that honor Scottish heritage, tradition, and culture, representing the hundreds of thousands of Americans of Scottish descent, residing in every State, who already have made the observance of Tartan Day on April 6 a success; and

WHEREAS, these numerous individuals, clans, societies, clubs, and fraternal organizations do not let the great contributions of the Scottish people go unnoticed.

NOW, THEREFORE:

BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the 146^th General Assembly that April 6, 2011 be proclaimed as “National Tartan Day” thereby commemorating the outstanding achievements and contributions made by Scottish-Americans to the United States.

SYNOPSIS

When the United States was first formed and the thirteen states selected their first governors, nine were of Scottish ancestry.  All the members of the first American cabinet had Scottish ancestry.  Delaware’s first governor – John McKinly, was born in Northern Ireland of Scottish descent. Americans of Scottish descent have played a vibrant and influential role in the development of this country. However, not until 1997 was this influence recognized by a single-year U.S. Senate Resolution that appeared in the Congressional Record of April 7, 1997. In 1998 National Tartan Day was officially recognized on a permanent basis when the U.S. Senate passed Senate Resolution 155 recognizing April 6th as National Tartan Day. This was followed by companion bill House Resolution 41 which was passed by the U.S. House of Representatives on March 9, 2005. President George W. Bush signed a Presidential Proclamation on April 4, 2008 making April 6 National Tartan Day. In April of 2008, then Governor Minner issued a statement celebrating the accomplishments of Scots-Irish Americans in the First State as part of a Scots/Scots-Irish Heritage Month.

April 6 commemorates the signing of the Declaration of Arbroath in 1320, which asserted Scotland's sovereignty over English territorial claims, and which was a significant influence on the American Declaration of Independence.

Canada has been celebrating "National Tartan Day" since 1993. The idea and motivation for creating a similar American holiday was provided by the Scottish Coalition, a group of national Scottish- American cultural organizations.

AUTHOR: Sen. Simpson