MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2003 Regular Session

To: Appropriations

By: Representative Holland

House Bill 834

(As Passed the House)

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 3-3-43, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO SET FORTH THE BACKGROUND INFORMATION THAT CAUSED THE "TEDDY BEAR" TO BE NAMED MISSISSIPPI'S STATE TOY; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

     BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:

     SECTION 1.  Section 3-3-43, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

     3-3-43.  The Teddy Bear is designated the state toy of Mississippi, in recognition of the Mississippi connection to the origin of the Teddy Bear.  The connection is that on November 14, 1902, during a hunting expedition led by distinguished Mississippian Holt Collier in Smedes, Mississippi, President Theodore Roosevelt refused to shoot a small, exhausted black bear.  The shot not fired at a baby bear in the Mississippi Delta became a great credit to the heroic and sportsmanlike conduct of President Roosevelt, and because of the President's journey to Mississippi, the stuffed bear toy was appropriately named the "Teddy Bear," a positive symbol of love, comfort and joy for children of all ages.

     SECTION 2.  This act shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage.