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Saving the Proposed Wisconsin Tartan
Editor:
Not too unlike Paul Revere's ride, this is a call to arms, a call to
arms for all Celts. Whether we are Scots, Irish, Welsh, Bretons and others,
we share the common identity as Celts, tribes of people who moved all throughout
Europe. That Celtic identity is best discovered in the display of tartan.
Tartan is an ID tag and a bonding agent for us all.
As a symbol, 38 states and all the provinces of Canada have adopted
an official tartan, all of our military branches have a special tartan
as a special identification. After a great deal of research and work a
Wisconsin Tartan has been proposed. This special tartan recognizes Wisconsin's
history, heritage and community culture. In other words, it truly stands
for Wisconsin...that is it stands for "us," not a Celtic "us", but a people
of Wisconsin "us."
It is a positive symbol of the state, its people its history and more.
Getting official state recognition is key to copyrighting the tartan design.
To that end, Assembly Bill 212 was introduced to create the Wisconsin Tartan
as an official state symbol.
The Celtic community has been told by the chair of the Assembly State
Affairs Committee that this legislation is unimportant and will not receive
even a public hearing. We all know that the legislature has much to do,
but I believe they can also multi-task, like Virginia last year. There,
major tax reform legislation was center stage, yet the Virginia legislature
also managed to add a state symbol. It can be done as a component of the
total process.
Thus your call to arms, legislators need to know you believe this Celtic
symbol is important, you can do this in a simple way. Call your representative
and state senator and request them to contact Rep. Karl Van Roy, chair
of the State Affairs Committee and ask him for a hearing and executive
session on AB 212. The toll free number is 800-362-9472, and the operator
will help you check on your legislative district if you are unsure.
Also call Rep. Van Roy at 888-534-0090 with that same message. As a
citizen of Wisconsin, you deserve to be considered. Your calls can save
the proposed Wisconsin Tartan. It is a good Celtic contribution for Wisconsin.
David Berger,
Milwaukee, Wis. |
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