A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT to adopt folkmoot usa as north carolina's official international festival and adopting the carolina lily as the official wildflower of north carolina.
Whereas, Folkmoot USA is an annual international festival held in Western North Carolina by North Carolina International Folk Festival, Inc., to promote the cultural exchange of traditional dance and music; and
Whereas, the name "Folkmoot" is an old English word meaning "meeting of the people"; and
Whereas, the first Folkmoot festival was held in 1984 and has grown to one of the largest folk festivals of its kind; and
Whereas, most of Folkmoot's worldwide participants are not professional dancers and musicians, but ordinary people who are proud of their culture and enjoy sharing it with others; and
Whereas, these diverse, international performers wear native costumes, play unique instruments, and perform authentic folk dances; and
Whereas, over the years, 190 folk groups representing 95 countries have participated in Folkmoot; and
Whereas, Folkmoot has been named a "Top 20 Event in the Southeast" by the Southeast Tourism Society for 16 years, a 2003 "Top 100 Event in America" by the North American Bus Association, and one of North Carolina's "Most Outstanding Festivals"; and
Whereas, Folkmoot's 70,000 annual visitors come from more than 40 states and from more than half of North Carolina's cities and towns; and
Whereas, Folkmoot creates a positive economic impact of almost four million dollars in the State; and
Whereas, Folkmoot is a great cultural resource that provides entertainment and education and promotes tourism in North Carolina; and
Whereas, adopting Folkmoot USA as North Carolina's official international festival will enhance the exchange of international culture and increase tourism in North Carolina; and
Whereas, North Carolina is blessed with an abundance of wildflowers from the mountains to the coast; and
Whereas, the Carolina Lily is a scarce and beautiful flower that is found throughout North Carolina in upland pine‑oak woods and pocosins; and
Whereas, the Carolina Lily (Lilium michauxii) is one of many plants named for the distinguished French botanist Andre Michaux who traveled widely in the southeastern United States; and
Whereas, Andre Michaux (1747‑1802), a genuine hero of science and exploration, referred to the North Carolina mountains as "the great botanical laboratory and paradise of North America"; and
Whereas, the Carolina Lily, sometimes referred to as Michaux's Lily, bears up to six reddish‑yellow, spotted flowers with petals that bend backwards; and
Whereas, each nodding flower grows to about three inches in diameter; and
Whereas, this magnificent flower bears the name of our great State; and Whereas, the State of North Carolina does not have an official wildflower;
Now, therefore,
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
SECTION 1.  Chapter 145 of the General Statutes is amended by adding a new section to read:
"§ 145-19.  State International Festival.
Folkmoot USA is adopted as the official international festival of the State of North Carolina."
SECTION 2.  The title of Chapter 145 reads as rewritten:
"Chapter 145.
State Symbols and Other Official Adoptions."
SECTION 3.  Chapter 145 of the General Statutes is amended by adding a new section to read:
"§ 145-20.  State wildflower.
The Carolina Lily (Lilium michauxii) is adopted as the official wildflower of the State of North Carolina."
SECTION 4.  This act is effective when it becomes law.