PRINTER'S NO. 3845
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE BILL
No.
2537
Session of
2018
INTRODUCED BY KORTZ, GILLESPIE, HENNESSEY, PICKETT, KINSEY,
DRISCOLL, PASHINSKI, BRIGGS, MACKENZIE, THOMAS, KAUFFMAN,
BARRAR, SAYLOR, GODSHALL, MILLARD, CALTAGIRONE, W. KELLER,
WARD, HARKINS, HAHN, GROVE, JOZWIAK, WATSON, A. HARRIS,
DeLUCA, FARRY, NEILSON, D. COSTA AND PHILLIPS-HILL,
JULY 3, 2018
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON STATE GOVERNMENT, JULY 3, 2018
AN ACT
Designating the Harley-Davidson motorcycle as the official State
motorcycle of Pennsylvania.
The General Assembly finds and declares as follows:
WHEREAS, In 1903, the first production Harley-Davidson
motorcycle was made available to the public; and
WHEREAS, Founded by William S. Harley, Arthur Davidson,
Walter Davidson and William A. Davidson, the first Harley-
Davidson factory was erected in 1906 on Chestnut Street in
Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where it remains today as Harley-
Davidson's corporate headquarters; and
WHEREAS, The initial Harley-Davidson motorcycle was designed
for use in a regular pedal bicycle frame and, when first put to
use, was deemed incapable of conquering the modest hills of
Milwaukee; and
WHEREAS, The prototype became functional in 1904 and placed
fourth in competition in a motorcycle race held at the State
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Fair Park in Milwaukee, Wisconsin; and
WHEREAS, "The Enthusiast," a Harley-Davidson publication, was
first issued in 1916 and would go on to become the longest
continuously published motorcycle magazine in the world; and
WHEREAS, In 1917, approximately one-third of all Harley-
Davidson motorcycles produced were sold to the United States
Armed Forces; and
WHEREAS, The Quartermaster School, a department of Harley-
Davidson devoted to training military mechanics on Harley-
Davidson motorcycles, opened for business in July 1917 and would
later become the Service School; and
WHEREAS, In 1918, nearly half of all Harley-Davidson
motorcycles produced were sold for use by the United States
military during World War I and were in high demand for combat
service in the war effort; and
WHEREAS, It is estimated that the United States Army utilized
approximately 20,000 Harley-Davidson motorcycles during World
War I; and
WHEREAS, The Harley Owners Group (H.O.G.) was founded in 1983
to promote camaraderie and loyalty among Harley-Davidson
enthusiasts and, that same year, Harley-Davidson became the
largest motorcycle manufacturer in the world; and
WHEREAS, In 1921, the Harley-Davidson motorcycle was the
first motorcycle to win a race at an average speed of more than
100 miles per hour; and
WHEREAS, The largest Harley-Davidson manufacturing facility,
which opened in 1973, is located in Springettsbury Township,
York County, and performs a myriad of manufacturing operations
from machining, polishing and chrome plating to forming, welding
and painting; and
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WHEREAS, The $31 million state-of-the-art paint facility
opened its doors at the York plant in 1992; and
WHEREAS, The two facilities together employ approximately
2,650 people; and
WHEREAS, Over the years, thousands of Harley-Davidson
enthusiasts have trekked to York to witness firsthand the living
legacy of Harley-Davidson USA; and
WHEREAS, William S. Harley, Arthur Davidson, Walter Davidson
and William A. Davidson were inducted into the Labor Hall of
Fame because of their dedicated employees who produced quality
motorcycles; and
WHEREAS, Harley-Davidson continues to sustain a loyal brand
community which remains active through clubs, events and the
Harley-Davidson Museum; and
WHEREAS, The Harley-Davidson motorcycle is a true-blue
American iron horse manufactured in Pennsylvania by American
workers using American steel.
The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
hereby enacts as follows:
Section 1. Official State motorcycle.
The Harley-Davidson motorcycle is selected, designated and
adopted as the official State motorcycle of Pennsylvania.
Section 2. Effective date.
This act shall take effect in 60 days.
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