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1998 SESSION

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981542106
HOUSE BILL NO. 1007 Offered January 26, 1998 A BILL to amend and reenact § 7.1-37 of the Code of Virginia, relating to the official song of the Commonwealth. ---------- Patron-- Albo ---------- Referred to Committee on General Laws ----------

Whereas, the Commonwealth has no effective official song because "Carry Me Back To Old Virginia," declared the State song in 1940, has become so controversial that it is no longer possible or appropriate to use the song; and

Whereas, the official song should reference the rich history and tradition of the Commonwealth and invoke images of the natural and scenic beauty its citizens celebrate; and

Whereas, the Commonwealth requires an official song that can be sung on all occasions with pride and affection; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That "Here's to Virginia," by Candie Gibson Lemaire, be designated as the official song of the Commonwealth, the words of which are as follows:

Here's To Virginia Here's to Virginia, great state of mine! Soil of presidents and patriots, a Commonwealth of pride. Nothing less than glory offered all, Who choose this special land and hold their head up tall... Here's to Virginia, diverse and free! A history page portrait of America's family tree. She's pure homespun, good ole' USA, As you salute her, be proud to say, I'm a Virginian, for all time, My home's Virginia, for here I'll find, Monticello, the Shenandoah, Stately Mount Vernon on the Potomac, Tidewater treasures, down in Norfolk, And mountain vistas westward near Roanoke. Here in Virginia... Here's to Virginia... That great state of mine!

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1. That § 7.1-37 of the Code of Virginia is amended and reenacted as follows:

§ 7.1-37. Official song.

A. The song "Carry Me Back to Old Virginia," by James A. Bland, as set out in the House Joint Resolution 10, adopted by the General Assembly of Virginia at the Session of 1940, is declared to be the official song emeritus of the Commonwealth.

B. The song "Here's To Virginia," by Candie Gibson Lemaire, as set out in the 1998 Acts of Assembly, is declared to be the official song of the Commonwealth.