PRINTER'S NO. 1899
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE RESOLUTION
No.
355
Session of
2019
INTRODUCED BY BULLOCK, KORTZ, DiGIROLAMO, HILL-EVANS, BURNS,
DONATUCCI, READSHAW, LONGIETTI, McCLINTON, YOUNGBLOOD,
MILLARD, MARKOSEK, CALTAGIRONE, KINSEY AND FREEMAN,
MAY 29, 2019
INTRODUCED AS NONCONTROVERSIAL RESOLUTION UNDER RULE 35,
MAY 29, 2019
A RESOLUTION
Recognizing May 25, 2019, as "National Tap Dance Day" in
Pennsylvania and highlighting the community efforts of the
Philadelphia Community Tap Project.
WHEREAS, "National Tap Dance Day" is a celebration of tap
dancing as an American art form; and
WHEREAS, Tap dance is a form of dance characterized by a
tapping sound that is created from metal plates that are
attached to both the ball and the heel of the dancer's shoes;
and
WHEREAS, Tap dancers make frequent use of syncopation,
starting choreography on the first or the eighth beat count; and
WHEREAS, Tap dancing is often described as the fusion of
British Isles clog and step dancing with the rhythms of West-
African drumming; and
WHEREAS, Early tap dancers like Fred Astaire provided a
ballroom look to tap dancing, while Gene Kelly used his
extensive ballet training to make tap dancing incorporate ballet
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parts; and
WHEREAS, Each year, "National Tap Dance Day" is celebrated
globally on May 25, the agreed-upon birthday of legendary tap
pioneer Bill "Bojangles" Robinson; and
WHEREAS, In 1989, a resolution declaring May 25 as "National
Tap Dance Day" won Congressional passage and was signed into law
on November 8, 1989, by President George H.W. Bush; and
WHEREAS, "National Tap Dance Day" is an appropriate time for
this Commonwealth to recognize the efforts of the Philadelphia
Community Tap Project as an organization that presents free and
low-cost tap dance education, practice and performance
opportunities in the Philadelphia area; and
WHEREAS, Throughout the year, the Philadelphia Community Tap
Project executes three main programming streams:
(1) Education classes for adults, culminating in
performance opportunities.
(2) A training program and performance opportunities for
youths.
(3) An annual city-wide outdoor celebration for
"National Tap Dance Day";
and
WHEREAS, The Philadelphia Community Tap Project connects
Philadelphia tap dancers and musicians with internationally
known percussive artists from around the world; therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives recognize May 25,
2019, as "National Tap Dance Day" in Pennsylvania; and be it
further
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives call upon
Pennsylvania residents to celebrate and promote the art and
culture of tap dance in this Commonwealth and the United States.
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