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

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT adopting "the andy griffith show" AS THE OFFICIAL Television SHOW OF THE STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA.

Whereas, Andy Samuel Griffith was born on June 1, 1926, in the City of Mount Airy in Surry County, North Carolina; and

Whereas, Mr. Griffith graduated from Mount Airy High School in 1944 and attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill where he earned a bachelor's degree in music; and

Whereas, Mr. Griffith was a cast member in "The Lost Colony" where he played various roles, including Sir Walter Raleigh; and

Whereas, Mr. Griffith had a seven‑decade career in music and television as a singer, actor, comedian, producer, and writer; and

Whereas, Mr. Griffith loved North Carolina from the mountains to the coast and spent his retirement on the Outer Banks in Dare County where his final resting place is Roanoke Island; and

Whereas, Mr. Griffith celebrated his native State of North Carolina with iconic comedy tracks, including "North Carolina, My Home State" and "What It Was, Was Football"; and

Whereas, in 1960, Mr. Griffith took his celebration of North Carolina to Hollywood where he starred in "The Andy Griffith Show" for a run of 249 episodes from 1960 to 1968; and

Whereas, performing as Andy Taylor, Mr. Griffith highlighted people, places, and attitudes from North Carolina that brought an awareness and fondness for the Old North State on a television show that dominated the national television ratings and ended its final season as the number one show in America; and

Whereas, "The Andy Griffith Show" inspired spinoff shows and an annual festival in Mount Airy, "Mayberry Days"; and

Whereas, the positive character values and awareness of North Carolina make "The Andy Griffith Show" must‑see‑TV for anyone who loves North Carolina; and

Whereas, all North Carolinians should know the location of "Old Man Kelsey's Woods," how to avoid a "loaded goat," and the marvelous existence of Mr. McBeevee; and

Whereas, school children and parents should know how to handle a "spoiled kid" and to delicately navigate a situation involving "Aunt Bea's Pickles"; and

Whereas, society should continue to be aware of the talents of "The Darlings," the mercurial nature of Ernest T. Bass, and the danger of Otis with a "leg of lamb"; and

Whereas, people of all ages can appreciate a good "citizen's arrest," dealing with a well‑intentioned friend like Barney Fife, a tough teacher like Helen Crump, and a nosy neighbor like Clara Edwards; and

Whereas, most importantly, everyone should know better than to accept a peanut butter and jelly sandwich from Leon; and

Whereas, it is fitting to recognize the positive impact of "The Andy Griffith Show" on our State and nation by adopting the show as the official television show of the State of North Carolina; 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:

"§ 145‑52.  State television show.

"The Andy Griffith Show" is adopted as the official television show of the State of North Carolina."

SECTION 2.  This act is effective when it becomes law.