The Andy Griffith Show as State TV Show.

GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA
SESSION 2025
H 1
HOUSE BILL 557

Short Title: The Andy Griffith Show as State TV Show. (Public)
Sponsors: Representatives N. Jackson, Biggs, Stevens, and K. Hall (Primary Sponsors).
For a complete list of sponsors, refer to the North Carolina General Assembly web site.
Referred to: State and Local Government, if favorable, Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the
House
March 31, 2025
*H557-v-1*
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED 1
AN ACT ADOPTING "THE ANDY GRIFFITH SHOW" AS THE OFFICIAL TEL EVISION 2
SHOW OF THE STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA. 3
Whereas, Andy Samuel Griffith was born on June 1, 1926, in the City of Mount Airy 4
in Surry County, North Carolina; and 5
Whereas, Mr. Griffith graduated from Mount Airy High School in 1944 and attended 6
the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill where he earned a bachelor's degree in music; 7
and 8
Whereas, Mr. Griffith was a cast member in "The Lost Colony" where he played 9
various roles, including Sir Walter Raleigh; and 10
Whereas, Mr. Griffith had a seven-decade career in music and television as a singer, 11
actor, comedian, producer, and writer; and 12
Whereas, Mr. Griffith loved North Carolina from the mountains to the coast and spent 13
his retirement on the Outer Banks in Dare County where his final resting place is Roanoke Island; 14
and 15
Whereas, Mr. Griffith celebrated his native State of North Carolina with iconic 16
comedy tracks, including "North Carolina, My Home State" and "What It Was, Wa s Football"; 17
and 18
Whereas, in 1960, Mr. Griffith took his celebration of North Carolina to Hollywood 19
where he starred in "The Andy Griffith Show" for a run of 249 episodes from 1960 to 1968; and 20
Whereas, performing as Andy Taylor, Mr. Griffith highlighted p eople, places, and 21
attitudes from North Carolina that brought an awareness and fondness for the Old North State on 22
a television show that dominated the national television ratings and ended its final season as the 23
number one show in America; and 24
Whereas, "The Andy Griffith Show" inspired spinoff shows and an annual festival in 25
Mount Airy, "Mayberry Days"; and 26
Whereas, the positive character values and awareness of North Carolina make "The 27
Andy Griffith Show" must-see-TV for anyone who loves North Carolina; and 28
Whereas, all North Carolinians should know the location of "Old Man Kelsey's 29
Woods," how to avoid a "loaded goat," and the marvelous existence of Mr. McBeevee; and 30
Whereas, school children and parents should know how to handle a "spoiled kid" and 31
to delicately navigate a situation involving "Aunt Bea's Pickles"; and 32
Whereas, society should continue to be aware of the talents of "The Darlings," the 33
mercurial nature of Ernest T. Bass, and the danger of Otis with a "leg of lamb"; and 34
General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025
Page 2 House Bill 557-First Edition
Whereas, people of all ages can appreciate a good "citizen's arrest," dealing with a 1
well-intentioned friend like Barney Fife, a tough teacher like Helen Crump, and a nosy neighbor 2
like Clara Edwards; and 3
Whereas, most importantly, everyone should know better than to accept a p eanut 4
butter and jelly sandwich from Leon; and 5
Whereas, it is fitting to recognize the positive impact of "The Andy Griffith Show" 6
on our State and nation by adopting the show as the official television show of the State of North 7
Carolina; Now, therefore, 8
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts: 9
SECTION 1. Chapter 145 of the General Statutes is amended by adding a new 10
section to read: 11
"§ 145-52. State television show. 12
"The Andy Griffith Show " is adopted as the official television show o f the State o f North 13
Carolina." 14
SECTION 2. This act is effective when it becomes law. 15