February 21, 2024 - Introduced by Senators Spreitzer, Pfaff, Agard, Larson, Roys and Wirch, cosponsored by Representatives Jacobson, Oldenburg, J. Anderson, Armstrong, Baldeh, Bare, Drake, Emerson, Joers, O’Connor, Ohnstad, Ratcliff and Sinicki. Referred to Committee on Senate Organization.
SJR127,,22Relating to: proclaiming May 17, 18, and 19, 2024, Syttende Mai Weekend. SJR127,,33Whereas, 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 SJR127,,44Whereas, Norwegian immigrants have made countless contributions to the cultures of Wisconsin and other regions of the United States; and SJR127,,55Whereas, one out of every 12 Wisconsinites claims Norwegian ancestry; and SJR127,,66Whereas, “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 SJR127,,77Whereas, the Norwegian Constitution is the third-oldest in the world, predated only by the constitutions of the United States and France; and SJR127,,88Whereas, 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 SJR127,,99Whereas, Wisconsin communities, such as Westby, Stoughton, Blair, Mount 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 SJR127,,1010Whereas, thousands of Wisconsin residents of Norwegian heritage will participate in these activities during the month of May; now, therefore, be it SJR127,,1111Resolved by the senate, the assembly concurring, That the Wisconsin Legislature proclaims the weekend of May 17, 18, and 19, 2024, 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.
