2023 Assembly Joint Resolution 37
ENROLLED JOINT RESOLUTION
Relating to: proclaiming May 19, 20, and 21, 2023, Syttende Mai Weekend.
Whereas, Norway, which means “Northern Way,” is the sixth-largest country in Europe, covering 148,715 square miles, and has a population of more than 5 million people; 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, which declared Norway’s independence from Denmark; and
Whereas, the Norwegian Constitution is the third-oldest in the world, 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 carved wooden trolls; and
Whereas, Wisconsin communities, such as Westby, Stoughton, Blair, Mt. Horeb, 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 residents 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 19, 20, and 21, 2023, Syttende Mai Weekend in the state of Wisconsin and declares that all residents of this state are honorary Norwegians for that weekend and urged to observe the Syttende Mai Weekend with appropriate celebrations.
Senator Chris Kapenga
President of the Senate
Representative Robin J. Vos
Speaker of the Assembly
Edward A. Blazel
Assembly Chief Clerk
