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PRINTER'S NO. 1428
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE BILL
No. 1275
Session of
2025
INTRODUCED BY M. MACKENZIE, APRIL 21, 2025
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON TOURISM, RECREATION AND ECONOMIC
DEVELOPMENT, APRIL 21, 2025
AN ACT
Selecting, designating and adopting the Pennsylvania March as
the official march of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
WHEREAS, The march style of music has had a long history in
the United States; and
WHEREAS, John Philip Sousa's "The Stars and Stripes Forever"
is an early example of American march music that is now an
iconic part of our collective history; and
WHEREAS, Currently, marches are a fixture of high school,
college and university marching bands and many states across
this nation have their own official march; and
WHEREAS, On September 16, 2018, composer Ron DeGrandis'
"Pennsylvania March" was premiered in Allentown by The Marine
Band of Allentown; and
WHEREAS, DeGrandis said he was inspired by this
Commonwealth's diverse cities and landscapes; and
WHEREAS, DeGrandis described the march as "...a tribute to
honor our glorious state. It features the rhythm of the word
Penn-syl-vania throughout the music to tie it together. This
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march is in the style of John Philip Sousa. It is played by a
band and is an instrumental piece of music"; and
WHEREAS, Prior to this composition, the Commonwealth has
never had a tune in the traditional American march genre.
The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
hereby enacts as follows:
Section 1. Short title.
This act shall be known and may be cited as the Official
Pennsylvania March Designation.
Section 2. Designation of the official march of the
Commonwealth.
The Pennsylvania March is selected, designated and adopted as
the official march of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
Section 3. Publication in the Pennsylvania Bulletin.
The composition of the Pennsylvania March shall be published
by the Legislative Reference Bureau in the next available issue
of the Pennsylvania Bulletin within 30 days of the effective
date of this section.
Section 4. Effective date.
This act shall take effect immediately.
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