Bill Text: DE HB349 | 2017-2018 | 149th General Assembly | Draft

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Bill Title: An Act To Amend Title 29 Of The Delaware Code Relating To The Commission On Irish Heritage And Culture.

Spectrum: Strong Partisan Bill (Democrat 16-1)

Status: (Passed) 2018-06-01 - Signed by Governor [HB349 Detail]

Download: Delaware-2017-HB349-Draft.html

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SPONSOR:	Rep. Keeley & Sen. Poore
Reps. Baumbach, Brady, Heffernan, J. Johnson, Mulrooney, Osienski, Ramone, B. Short; Sens. Hansen, Henry, Marshall, McDowell, Townsend, Walsh

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

149th GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HOUSE BILL NO. 349

AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 29 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO THE COMMISSION ON IRISH HERITAGE AND CULTURE.

WHEREAS, Ireland is home to a civilization that stretches back 10,000 years; and

WHEREAS, the Irish people, despite centuries of struggle, occupation, war, famine and mass migration, successfully preserved their great and invaluable cultural identity; and

WHEREAS, the Irish nation and its diaspora has had a profound effect on the development of the modern world, exponentially out of proportion with its size; and

WHEREAS, Ireland’s contributions to knowledge, letters and culture have persisted from the earliest days of Western Civilization until today; and

WHEREAS, Ireland is a beacon of civilization, toleration and the promotion of peace in a troubled world; and

WHEREAS, the Irish Diaspora in America did no less than aid in the building of our nation; and

WHEREAS, Wilmington, Delaware consistently ranks as one of the most Irish cities in America, and has been profoundly influenced by its own Irish community; and

WHEREAS, the Irish-American community has made profound contributions to the history, economy and development of Delaware,

WHEREAS, Ireland, a member of the European Union, is a place of burgeoning start-up business activity, innovation and an attractive location for American and other multinational corporations to locate their European headquarters; and

WHEREAS, there are substantial cultural, familial and business ties between the State of Delaware and the Irish nation; and

WHEREAS, it would be most beneficial to the State of Delaware and jurisdictions in Ireland if trade, business and cultural ties expanded and strengthened; and

WHEREAS, it is fitting and proper to establish a permanent State-level commission to study, design, encourage, and promote Irish-related cultural and educational programs and events in this State, and to engage in activities which strengthen ties between the State of Delaware and the Ireland.

NOW, THEREFORE:

BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE:

Section 1. Amend Title 29 of the Delaware Code by making deletions as shown by strike through and insertions as shown by underline as follows:

Chapter 40. Delaware Commission on Irish Heritage and Culture.

§ 4001. Delaware Commission on Irish Heritage and Culture; creation and purpose.

The Delaware Commission on Irish Heritage and Culture (“Commission”) is created to establish, maintain, and develop cultural ties between the Irish People and Irish-Americans; foster a special interest in the historical and cultural backgrounds of both groups, as well as in the economic, political, social, and artistic life of the countries involved; and help study, establish, or promote programs or events that will provide appropriate awareness of the culture, history, heritage, and language of the Irish People and Irish-Americans.

§ 4002. Membership; qualifications; terms.

(a) The Commission shall consist of members who are appointed as follows:

(1) Two members, appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives.

(2) Two members, appointed by the President Pro Tempore of the Senate.

(3) One member, appointed by the Irish American Chamber of Commerce and Trade Council of Delaware.

(4) One member, appointed by the New Castle County Irish Society.

(5) One member, appointed by the St. Patrick’s Day Society.

(6) Two members, appointed by the Irish Culture Club of Delaware, one of whom shall be from Kent County and one of whom shall be from Sussex County.

(7) One member, appointed by Governor.

(8) One member, appointed by the Lieutenant Governor.

(b) A member of the Commission may be a citizen of the United States or a person holding dual citizenship between the United States and the Nation of Ireland, the United Kingdom or any nation not hostile to the United States or the Nation of Ireland.

(c) The members of the Commission serve at the pleasure of the appointing authority.

§ 4003. Organization; quorum.

(a) The Commission shall elect a Chair at its first meeting, to serve a two-year term and the Chair shall serve until a replacement is elected. If the Chair becomes vacant, the Commission shall elect a new Chair at its next meeting.

(b) The Chair of the Commission has all of the following duties:

(1) Setting a date, time, and place for the meetings of the Commission.

(2) Supervising the preparation and distribution of meeting notices, agendas, minutes, and other documents prepared by or on behalf of the Commission.

(c) If the Chair becomes vacant, the Secretary of State, or the Secretary’s designee, shall fulfill the duties of the Chair contained in subsection (b) of this section until a replacement is elected by the Commission.

(d) A majority of the membership of the Commission constitutes a quorum to conduct official business.

§ 4004. Authority.

The Commission shall fall under the authority of the Secretary of State and shall have such powers, duties, and functions described in § 4001 of this title and such other duties and functions as may be referred to it by the Governor, the Secretary of State, or the General Assembly.

§ 4005. Compensation.

The members of the Commission shall serve without compensation.

Section 2. The Secretary of State, or the Secretary’s designee, shall set the date, time, and place for the initial organizational meeting of the Commission.

SYNOPSIS

This Act creates a Delaware Commission on Irish Heritage and Culture.