PRINTER'S NO. 4221
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE BILL
No.
2703
Session of
2018
INTRODUCED BY RABB, NEILSON, O'BRIEN, YOUNGBLOOD, J. HARRIS AND
BRIGGS, OCTOBER 12, 2018
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON STATE GOVERNMENT, OCTOBER 12, 2018
AN ACT
Amending the act of August 13, 1963 (P.L.660, No.345), entitled
"An act providing for the observance of October 12 of each
year as Columbus Day," amending the title of the act; further
providing for the issuance of a proclamation regarding
Columbus Day; and making editorial changes.
The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
hereby enacts as follows:
Section 1. The title of the act of August 13, 1963 (P.L.660,
No.345), entitled "An act providing for the observance of
October 12 of each year as Columbus Day," is amended to read:
AN ACT
Providing for the observance of [October 12] the second
Monday in October of each year as [Columbus] Indigenous Peoples'
Day.
Section 2. Section 1 of the act is amended to read:
Section 1. [The Governor shall issue, annually, his
proclamation designating and setting apart October 12 as
Columbus Day, and calling upon the people of the Commonwealth,
the public schools and other educational institutions and
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
historical organizations to observe the discovery of the New
World with appropriate exercises and programs, to the end that
the discovery of America shall be commemorated each year.] The
Governor shall issue annually a proclamation designating the
second Monday in October as Indigenous Peoples' Day and calling
upon the residents of this Commonwealth, the public schools and
other educational institutions and historical organizations to:
(1) Celebrate the millions of indigenous people that
inhabited the land prior to the arrival of Christopher
Columbus.
(2) Draw attention to the fact that the exploration of
Christopher Columbus adversely impacted native populations,
devastated natural resources and initiated the European slave
trade.
(3) Recognize the discrimination and oppression suffered
by indigenous people as a result of European settlement, in
order to build and strengthen connections with Native
American communities.
(4) Honor the sacrifice, culture, tradition and
contributions of indigenous people of North America.
Section 3. Any reference to Columbus Day under the act of
May 31, 1893 (P.L.188, No.138), referred to as the Legal Holiday
Law, or section 113(b) of the act of November 30, 1965 (P.L.847,
No.356), known as the Banking Code of 1965, shall be deemed a
reference to Indigenous Peoples' Day.
Section 4. This act shall take effect immediately.
20180HB2703PN4221 - 2 -
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26