2023 - 2024 LEGISLATURE
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2023 ASSEMBLY JOINT RESOLUTION 37
April 28, 2023 - Introduced by Representatives OLDENBURG, JACOBSON, SPIROS,
ARMSTRONG, MURSAU, MAGNAFICI, STUBBS, RATCLIFF, OHNSTAD, O'CONNOR,
BARE, KITCHENS, DRAKE, JOERS, CONLEY, MURPHY, SINICKI, BALDEH, SUBECK,
ANDRACA, EMERSON, VANDERMEER and ORTIZ-VELEZ, cosponsored by Senators
PFAFF, SPREITZER, LARSON, ROYS and HESSELBEIN. Referred to Committee on
Rules.
1 Relating to: proclaiming May 19, 20, and 21, 2023, Syttende Mai Weekend.
2 Whereas, Norway, which means “Northern Way," is the sixth-largest country
3 in Europe, covering 148,715 square miles, and has a population of more than 5
4 million people; and
5 Whereas, Norwegian immigrants have made countless contributions to the
6 cultures of Wisconsin and other regions of the United States; and
7 Whereas, one out of every twelve Wisconsinites claims Norwegian ancestry;
8 and
9 Whereas, “Syttende Mai," Norwegian for “May 17," celebrates the anniversary
10 of the 1814 signing of the Norwegian Constitution, which declared Norway's
11 independence from Denmark; and
12 Whereas, the Norwegian Constitution is the third-oldest in the world, predated
13 only by the constitutions of the United States and France; and
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1 Whereas, Norwegian culture can be found throughout Wisconsin in the cuisine
2 of lutefisk and lefse, in the art of rosemaling, and in the presence of carved wooden
3 trolls; and
4 Whereas, Wisconsin communities, such as Westby, Stoughton, Blair, Mt. Horeb,
5 and Woodville, will celebrate Syttende Mai in many ways, including parades,
6 Norwegian displays, Norwegian street music and dancers, Syttende Mai King and
7 Queen presentations, Syttende Mai runs, special museum tours, choral concerts,
8 church services, and Norwegian drama; and
9 Whereas, thousands of Wisconsin residents of Norwegian heritage will
10 participate in these activities during the month of May; now, therefore, be it
11 Resolved by the assembly, the senate concurring, That the Wisconsin
12 Legislature proclaims the weekend of May 19, 20, and 21, 2023, Syttende Mai
13 Weekend in the state of Wisconsin and declares that all residents of this state are
14 honorary Norwegians for that weekend and urged to observe the Syttende Mai
15 Weekend with appropriate celebrations.
16 (END)