House Concurrent Resolution 77

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION DESIGNATING AN OFFICIAL STATE TARTAN IN COMMEMORATION AND OBSERVANCE OF THE ANNIVERSARY OF THE DECLARATION OF ARBROATH, THE SCOTTISH DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE.

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 on that inspirational document; and

WHEREAS, the Declaration of Arbroath contains the lines, "For we fight not for glory, nor riches, nor honors, but for freedom alone, which no man gives up except with his life," daring words that will not lie quiet and will never be forgotten; and

WHEREAS, the State of Mississippi possesses a rich history filled with the character and strength of a truly diverse population, including many Scots and Scotch-Irish; and

WHEREAS, the State of Mississippi has 38 towns and cities with names appearing on the map of Scotland and 67 towns, cities, and counties with the names of Scottish families who came to America; and

WHEREAS, acknowledging the important role that Scottish Americans played in the founding of this nation and recognizing the monumental achievements and invaluable contributions made by Scottish Americans that have led to America's preeminence in every major facet of life, we honor them with the designation of a state tartan; and

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE SENATE CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby commemorate the anniversary of the Declaration of Arbroath, the Scottish Declaration of Independence, and designate an official state tartan. A tartan is a plaid textile design consisting of stripes of varying width and color producing a repeating pattern. The pattern for the state tartan shall be defined by a repeating design of distinguished colors, which shall be more particularly described as follows: dark green for the never-ending forests of pine and evergreen leaves of the magnolia; light green for the lustrous leaves of the great southern oaks; blue for the waters of the world-famous Mississippi River and the many lakes within the state; red for the color in our state flag and the bloodshed in our historic past; white for the beautiful sands of the Mississippi Gulf Coast and the cotton fields; and yellow for the heart of the magnolia, our beautiful state flower.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this tartan shall be known as the Mississippi tartan and may be freely used by any and all organizations, societies, and individuals affiliated with the State of Mississippi.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.