Session of 2000
HOUSE BILL No. 2706
By Representative Alldritt
(By Request)
1-25
11 AN ACT
designating the square dance as the official state folk dance
of
12 Kansas.
13
14 WHEREAS, The State of
Kansas has traditionally recognized a variety
15 of official state symbols as tangible
representations of the proud spirit and
16 heritage of the state; and
17 WHEREAS, The
sunflower, the buffalo and the meadow lark are ex-
18 amples that symbolize the hardy spirit of
this state; and
19 WHEREAS, In keeping
with this custom, the designation of the square
20 dance as the official state folk dance of
Kansas will provide suitable rec-
21 ognition for this popular American dance
form; and
22 WHEREAS, First
recorded in this country in 1651, the original square
23 dances can be described as choreographic
melting pots, containing ele-
24 ments of the Morris and Maypole dances of
England, as well as the
25 French ballroom dances and church dances of
Spain; as later immigrants
26 arrived on our shores, square dancing
evolved to include the folk dance
27 traditions of nations such as Ireland,
Germany, Italy, Poland, Austria,
28 Russia and Mexico; and
29 WHEREAS, Brought to
Kansas by our pioneer forebears, square danc-
30 ing quickly proved a popular diversion from
the hardships faced by many
31 settlers and brought together early-day
Kansas neighbors, in weathered
32 barns or under starry skies, to enjoy the
toe-tapping rhythms of these
33 dances, strengthening and affirming the
bonds of community; and
34 WHEREAS, Today, square
dancing continues to be enjoyed by count-
35 less individuals of all ages and
backgrounds and, although still known as
36 square dancing, the term has expanded to
include round, contra, clogging,
37 line and heritage dancing within its scope;
and
38 WHEREAS, An integral
part of our state's cultural legacy, the square
39 dance unites participants in a shared
experience, crossing national and
40 social barriers with its warmth and
liveliness and its enduring beauty
41 makes it an ideal choice for our official
state folk dance: Now, therefore,
42 Be it enacted by the Legislature of the
State of Kansas:
43 Section 1.
The square dance is hereby designated and declared to
2
1 be the official folk dance of the
state of Kansas.
2 Sec. 2. This act
shall take effect and be in force from and after its
3 publication in the statute book.