SB0008-FAV-DTMG-3-11-21.pdf Uploaded by: Bartlett, Olivia Position: FAV Olivia Bartlett, DoTheMostGood Maryland Team Committee: Education, Health, and Environmental Affairs Testimony on: SB0008 - General Provisions - State Song - Repeal Position: Favorable Hearing Date: March 11, 2021 Bill Sponsor: Senator Cheryl Kagan DoTheMostGood (DTMG) is a progressive grassroots organization with more than 2500 members who live in a wide range of communities in Montgomery and Frederick Counties, from Bethesda near the DC line north to Frederick and from Poolesville east to Silver Spring and Olney. DTMG supports legislation and activities that keep its members healthy and safe in a clean environment, uplift all members of our communities, and promote equity. DTMG strongly supports SB0008 because it will repeal Maryland’s Confederate state song “Maryland! My Maryland!”, removing a symbol of hate from the Maryland experience. The deaths of George Floyd, Anton Black, and many others call attention to the structural and institutional racism before us and the need to continue fighting for a more equitable and just society. The Maryland state song is a Confederate embarrassment, from the first line, which refers to President Lincoln as a “despot,” through the fifth stanza, which urgers Marylanders to “burst the tyrant’s chain” – the chain being not slavery, but Lincoln’s call for abolition. Maryland! My Maryland! was written to protest Union Troops in Baltimore and Southern Confederate soldiers used it as a Civil War battle hymn. Maryland did not adopt Maryland! My Maryland! as our State song until 1939 – a time when Maryland was sadly among our nation’s segregated “Jim Crow” states. Words matter. In classrooms and on school sports fields, we have been teaching our children to sing a song that glorifies Maryland’s shameful slave-holding history. If we are ever to reckon with our racist past and successfully build a future that embraces and protects all, we must move beyond these symbols that foster hate, exclusion, and injustice. Following the violence of Charlottesville, the January 6th insurrection that threatened our Democracy, and the calls for justice by the Black Lives Matter movement, the current social climate makes this the best time for Maryland to topple our musical monument to the Confederacy and send a strong message that all are welcome in today’s Maryland. While efforts for police reform and prison reform remain at the top of DoTheMostGood’s social justice agenda, symbolism and representation can lead to larger conversations and provide a needed avenue toward systemic change. Passage of SB0008 is one of many important steps the Maryland General Assembly can take this session to right the wrongs of the past. DoTheMostGood is eager to work with Senator Cheryl Kagan to ensure the passage of this important bill that can position Maryland as a leader of social justice. Therefore, we urge a favorable report on SB0008. Respectfully submitted, Olivia Bartlett Co-Lead, DoTheMostGood Maryland Team [email protected] 240-751-5599 SB0008 Letter of Support.pdf Uploaded by: Davis, Maya Position: FAV Hon. Larry Hogan Hall of Records Commission: Governor Hon. Mary Ellen Barbera, Chair Hon. Boyd K. Rutherford Ellington E. Churchill, Jr. Lt. Governor Robert L. Caret, Ph.D. Timothy D. Baker Ronald Daniels, L.L.M., J.D. State Archivist and Hon. William C. Ferguson IV Commissioner of Land Patents Hon. Peter V. R. Franchot Matthew P. Lalumia Peter Kanelos, Ph.D. Chairman, Maryland Commission Hon. Nancy K. Kopp on Artistic Property Mark Letzer Hon. Samuel I. Rosenberg David Wilson, Ed.D. March 11, 2021 BILL: SB 8 - General Provisions - State Song - Repeal COMMITTEE: Health and Government Operations POSITION: Letter of Support SB 8, General Provisions - State Song - Repeal, repeals the current State Song, “Maryland, My Maryland” with no recommendation for replacement. In October 2015, at the request of the Chair of the House Health and Government Operations Committee, the State Archivist convened an Advisory Group to study whether the State Song, “Maryland, My Maryland,” was a fitting representation of Marylanders today and to recommend alternatives. The panel, which included experts in Maryland history, music history, military history, and cultural history and folklore, agreed that, except for the third verse, the words in the current song should be retired from statute because they are offensive to many and not inclusive of all Marylanders. Understanding that an advisory committee has already undertaken the work of reviewing the repeal of the state song, it is now time to move forward with a decision in regards to its repeal. Recent events have made it necessary to revisit the removal of “Maryland, My Maryland’ as the Official State Song. Long considered racist and offensive to the citizens of this state, it is time to retire “Maryland, My Maryland” and reevaluate the necessity of having an Official State Song. State designations and symbols must be identified and used with care. They should be inclusive of all citizens of the state and be representative of Maryland culture and traditions. Maryland’s State Song has created a divide among the state's citizenry and should be eliminated in an effort to unify. We urge you to give this bill a favorable report. Thank you for your consideration. If you have additional questions please call Liz Coelho at [email protected]. Maryland State Archives, 350 Rowe Boulevard, Annapolis, MD 21401-1686 Telephone: 410 260-6400 MD toll free: 800-235-4045 fax: 410 974-252 tty/voice 800 735-2258 Internet address: http://msa.maryland.gov/ email: [email protected] Howard Denis Testimony SB8_ General Provisions - S Uploaded by: Denis, Howard Position: FAV SB8: General Provisions - State Song - Repeal Senate Education, Health, and Environmental Affairs Committee SUPPORT Chair Pinsky, Vice Chair Kagan, and Committee Members: My name is Howie Denis, a former member of the Maryland State Senate 1977-1994 and former Montgomery County Councilman 2000-2006. I write today in full support of SB8, which would repeal Maryland’s State Song. As I shared in my oral testimony for HB667, Maryland has the only state song that calls for the violent overthrow of the government. It’s rooted in hate and refers to Abraham Lincoln as a “tyrant.” Removing this ode to the Confederacy has been on the minds of Marylanders for many years. While in the Senate, I proposed my own bill in 1980 to abolish the song. I am very proud to have been a part of the long history of bipartisan advocates against this embarrassing representation of our state. “Maryland, My Maryland” is a symbol no different than driving down the road and seeing a Confederate flag outside of a home. Giving power to this time of division in our country is a tragic reminder that we are not all “created equal” as Lincoln once said. We’re well past the point where our State Song is appropriate. Though I might not have the expertise to write the new song, repealing this representation of our home is the first step in a long-fought journey to celebrate Maryland properly. I urge a favorable report of SB8. Howard Denis Former Republican State Senator (D/16) LoS - State Song Repeal.pdf Uploaded by: Dove, Spencer Position: FAV Governor Larry Hogan State of Maryland Lt. Governor Boyd K. Rutherford Commission on Civil Rights Commission Chairperson Gary C. Norman, Esq. “Our vision is to have a State that is free from any trace of unlawful discrimination.” Commission Vice Chairperson Roberto N. Allen, Esq. Commissioners Allison U. Dichoso, Esq. Officers Hayden B. Duke Alvin O. Gillard, Executive Director Janssen E. Evelyn, Esq. Nicolette Young, Assistant Director Eileen M. Levitt, SPHR, SHRM-SCP Glendora C. Hughes, General Counsel Rabbi Binyamin Marwick Jeff Rosen Gina McKnight-Smith, PharmD, MBA March 11, 2021 Senate Bill 8 – General Provisions – State Song – Repeal POSITION: Support Dear Chairperson Pinsky, Vice Chairperson Kagan, and Members of the Senate Education, Health & Environmental Affairs Committee: The Maryland Commission on Civil Rights (“MCCR”; “The Commission”) is the State agency responsible for the enforcement of laws prohibiting discrimination in employment, housing, public accommodations, and state contracts based upon race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, marital status, familial status, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, physical and mental disability, and source of income. Senate Bill 8 repeals the State Song “Maryland! My Maryland!” effective July 1, 2021. The Maryland Commission on Civil Rights supports SB8 because our State, with such notable citizens as Harriet Tubman, Frederick Douglas, and Thurgood Marshall, deserves a symbol of Maryland pride that reflects the contributions and dignity of all across the State. SB8 rightfully retires this song to the annals of history, thereby creating an opportunity for Maryland to adopt a State Song that represents the very best that we have to offer. For these reasons, the Maryland Commission on Civil Rights urges a favorable vote on SB8. Thank you for your time and consideration of the information contained in this letter. The Maryland Commission on Civil Rights looks forward to the continued opportunity to work with you to improve and promote civil rights in Maryland. William Donald Schaefer Tower, 6 Saint Paul Street, Suite 900, Baltimore, Maryland 21202-1631 Phone: 410-767-8600 ∙ Toll Free: 1-800-637-6247 ∙ Maryland Relay: 711 ∙ Fax: 410-333-1841 Website: mccr.maryland.gov ∙ E-Mail: [email protected] Comptroller's testimony on SB 8.pdf Uploaded by: Franchot, Comptroller Position: FAV TESTIMONY OF COMPTROLLER PETER FRANCHOT Support – Senate Bill 8 – General Provisions - State Song - Repeal Education, Health, and Environmental Affairs Committee March 11, 2021 Chair Pinsky, Vice Chair Kagan and members of the Committee, it is my pleasure to provide testimony in support of Senate Bill 8 – General Provisions - State Song - Repeal.