2009 Assembly Joint Resolution 9
ENROLLED JOINT RESOLUTION
Relating to: proclaiming May 15, 16, and 17, 2009, Syttende Mai Weekend.
Whereas, Norway, which means “Northern Way," is the fifth-largest country in Europe, covering 125,052 square miles, and has a population of approximately 4,000,000; and
Whereas, Norwegian immigrants have made countless contributions to the cultures of Wisconsin and other regions of the United States; and
Whereas, one out of every twelve Wisconsinites claims Norwegian ancestry; and
Whereas, “Syttende Mai," Norwegian for “May 17," celebrates the anniversary of the 1814 signing of the Norwegian Constitution that declared Norway's independence from Denmark; and
Whereas, the Norwegian Constitution is the third-oldest in the world, being predated only by the constitutions of the United States and France; and
Whereas, Norwegian culture can be found throughout Wisconsin in the cuisine of lutefisk and lefse, in the art of rosemaling, and in the presence of wood-carved trolls; and
Whereas, Wisconsin communities, such as Stoughton, Blair, Mt. Horeb, Westby, and Woodville, will celebrate “Syttende Mai" in many ways, including parades, Norwegian displays, Norwegian street music and dancers, “Syttende Mai" King and Queen presentations, “Syttende Mai" runs, special museum tours, choral concerts, church services, and Norwegian drama; and
Whereas, thousands of Wisconsin citizens of Norwegian heritage will participate in these activities during the month of May; now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the assembly, the senate concurring, That the Wisconsin legislature proclaims the weekend of May 15, 16, and 17, 2009, “Syttende Mai Weekend" in the state of Wisconsin, and declares that all citizens of this state are honorary Norwegians for that weekend and are urged to observe the “Syttende Mai Weekend" with appropriate celebrations.
