PRINTER'S NO. 555
No. 477 Session of 2003
INTRODUCED BY CORRIGAN, BEBKO-JONES, CAWLEY, COSTA, DeWEESE, FORCIER, GEIST, GRUCELA, HARHAI, HERMAN, PISTELLA, READSHAW, SOLOBAY AND THOMAS, FEBRUARY 25, 2003
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON STATE GOVERNMENT, FEBRUARY 25, 2003
AN ACT 1 Declaring and adopting December 31, "First Night," as the State 2 celebration of New Year's Eve. 3 The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania 4 hereby enacts as follows: 5 Section 1. Finding of facts. 6 The General Assembly finds that: 7 (1) "First Night" is a community celebration of New 8 Year's Eve which began in Boston, Massachusetts, in 1976. 9 (2) "First Night" celebrations unite communities by 10 creating a shared cultural experience with interactive and 11 artistic events. 12 (3) "First Night" offers to families and individuals of 13 all ages a fulfilling and safe celebration of the New Year. 14 (4) "First Night" celebrations revitalize the urban 15 environment of older cities and attract tourism to new 16 locations. 17 (5) Over 200 cities in the United States host "First
1 Night" celebrations, including at least 17 in this 2 Commonwealth. 3 (6) Communities ranging from small towns to large urban 4 areas successfully bring their residents together with "First 5 Night" celebrations. 6 Section 2. Official State celebration. 7 December 31, "First Night," is hereby declared and adopted as 8 the State's celebration of New Year's Eve. 9 Section 3. Effective date. 10 This act shall take effect immediately. B10L71DMS/20030H0477B0555 - 2 -