SPONSOR:	Rep. Ramone & Sen. Hall-Long ;
	Reps. Briggs King, Hensley, Miro, Wilson, Baumbach, Keeley, M. Smith; Sen. Blevins

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

148th GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HOUSE BILL NO. 383

AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 29 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO THE DESIGNATION OF A STATE DANCE.

WHEREAS, the Maypole Dance is a celebration of springtime, the month of May, and the end of winter; and

WHEREAS, the Maypole is a tall, vertical pole, usually made from the wood of a cedar or birch tree, decorated with streamers or ribbons and held by dancers who perform the Maypole Dance; and

WHEREAS, the Maypole Dance has a long history dating back to Medieval times; and

WHEREAS, the Maypole Dance also has a rich history in the State of Delaware including both Dover and Old New Castle; and

WHEREAS, in these communities and Delaware as a whole there is a strong connection to the Maypole Dance, particularly at Dover Days, where it is performed annually; and

WHEREAS, the Maypole Dance is performed by local children; and

WHEREAS, the Maypole Dance involves the children dancers holding ribbons, moving in opposite directions around the pole and intertwining their ribbons as they go;

NOW, THEREFORE:

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

Section 1. Amend Chapter 3, Title 29 of the Delaware Code by making deletions as shown by strike through and insertions as shown by underline as follows:

§ 327. State Dance.

Maypole dancing is the official dance of the State.

Section 2. This Act shall take effect upon its enactment into law.

Section 3. This Act shall expire 1 year after its enactment into law.