PRINTER'S NO. 1088
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE BILL
No.
886
Session of
2015
INTRODUCED BY HAHN, APRIL 6, 2015
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON STATE GOVERNMENT, APRIL 6, 2015
AN ACT
Amending the act of June 26, 2014 (P.L.783, No.73), entitled "An
act designating the Piper J-3 Cub as the official State
aircraft of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania; and designating
the Pennsylvania Long Rifle as the official firearm of the
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania," providing for findings and
declarations; and making editorial changes.
The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
hereby enacts as follows:
Section 1. The act of June 26, 2014 (P.L.783, No.73),
entitled "An act designating the Piper J-3 Cub as the official
State aircraft of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania; and
designating the Pennsylvania Long Rifle as the official firearm
of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania," is amended by adding a
section to read:
Section 1. Findings and declarations.
The General Assembly finds and declares that:
(1) The Piper J-3 Cub is a small, simple, light
aircraft, recognizable by its famous yellow fuselage and
black trim, that was built in the City of Lock Haven, Clinton
County, between 1937 and 1947 by Piper Aircraft.
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(2) During that time period, 19,076 Cubs were produced
in Lock Haven.
(3) With tandem seating, the Cub was intended for flight
training but became one of the most popular and best-known
light aircraft of all time among the military and civilian
population.
(4) The Cub's simplicity, affordability and popularity
invoke comparisons to the Ford Model T automobile.
(5) The Cub was modified and used by the United States
Armed Forces during World War II for reconnaissance and as a
hedgehopper over all kinds of terrain to carry personnel,
critical supplies and important messages for the artillery
and tank corps and cavalry and infantry.
(6) Pennsylvania's gunmaking tradition has played an
important role in the development of the United States of
America.
(7) During Pennsylvania's early history, settlers placed
chief reliance on their rifles for sustenance, security and
survival.
(8) The Pennsylvania Long Rifle, a unique firearm that
was different in principle and outline from any other weapon
in the world, was first developed by skilled gunsmiths in the
southeastern counties of Pennsylvania, as well as the
Moravian communities of Christian's Spring, Northampton
County.
(9) The Pennsylvania Long Rifle was the first truly
American rifle and, due to its exceptional accuracy and
range, was considered the greatest achievement in the
development of firearms during the 18th century.
(10) The Pennsylvania Long Rifle was also instrumental
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in the American fur trade and was carried west and south by
frontiersmen as they set out to expand the boundaries of the
nation.
(11) The Pennsylvania Long Rifle has been lauded for its
beauty and craftsmanship, as well as the ingenuity of the
skilled gunsmiths who crafted it.
(12) The color combinations, carvings, engravings and
graceful slenderness of the Pennsylvania Long Rifle cause it
to stand alone and remain unchallenged as a primary example
of early American art.
(13) Future generations deserve the right to appreciate
the heritage of this long-barreled rifle, born to artistic
gunsmiths in the communities of the Commonwealth of
Pennsylvania.
Section 2. Sections 1, 2 and 3 of the act are renumbered to
read:
Section [1.] 2. Official State aircraft.
The aircraft known as the Piper J-3 Cub is selected,
designated and adopted as the official State aircraft of the
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
Section [2.] 3. Official State firearm.
The Pennsylvania Long Rifle is hereby designated as the
official State firearm of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
Section [3.] 4. Effective date.
This act shall take effect immediately.
Section 3. It is the intent of the General Assembly that the
addition of section 1 of the act supersede the findings and
declarations of the act as originally enacted.
Section 4. This act shall take effect immediately.
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