Square, Round, Contra, Line, Heritage dancers and Cloggers across the United States are encouraged to contact their congressman and congresswoman asking them to be a Co-sponsor of H.R. 645, also known as the "Promenade Act". The "Promenade Act" will permanently designate the Square Dance as the National Folk Dance of the United States of America.
H.R. 645 was introduced in the 1st Session of the 108th Congress on February 5, 2003, to amend title 36, United States Code, designating the Square Dance as the National Folk Dance by U. S. Representative Ed Whitfield, 1st District, Kentucky. The Square Dance is a traditional form of family recreation and encompasses all age groups, including youth and the handicapable. It is a healthy form of activity that exercises the body, heart and mind, and is a very politically correct activity.
The Square Dance is a great part of our American heritage and history that should be given official recognition by Congress. There are thirty-one states that have passed legislation designating the Square Dance as their State Folk Dance: Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland Massachusetts, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Jersey, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington, and West Virginia.
The Square Dance is recognized in all the free world today with many square dance groups in foreign countries as well: Australia, Canada, England, Germany, Japan, Philippines, and many other countries, who with us, keep alive a heritage and tradition that predates the birth of this great Nation.
Members of the United Square Dancers of America’s Executive Committee recently walked the halls of the House and Senate Office Buildings in Washington D.C. discussing this legislation with various Congressional offices and staff members seeking their co-sponsorship of the "Promenade Act". In each case the response was very positive, raising the hopes for success. If Square, Round, Contra, Line, Heritage Dancers and Cloggers from all across the United States MAKE A LOT OF NOISE by urging their Representatives to Co-Sponsor this legislation, the Square Dance will finally be permanently designated as the National Folk Dance of the United States of America.
If you have Internet access, go to the USDA home page at http://www.usda.org and click on the Folk Dance section. There you can print an individual congressional letter, a group congressional letter and a signature petition form. If you click on the link http://www.congress.org/congressorg/home/ - enter your own zip code it will connect you with your Congressperson. Telephone calls also are effective and with Congressional mail now taking over a month to arrive, these other methods of communicating may be more effective.
Square Dancers Wanted
Beginning in November 2003 square dance clubs across the USA will gear up for a national campaign designed to increase the awareness of the benefits of square dance. The campaign is known as SQUARE4LIFE, and has already proven successful in motivating existing members and generating new members for the clubs that have participated. You and your square dance club are invited to learn more about this project that is free to all square dancers.
SQUARE4LIFE is a wellness initiative designed by square dancers who understand that as we grow older it becomes more and more important to regularly take part in a low impact high aerobic workout. We all know that square dancing is good for you. SQUARE4LIFE is a program that builds from that simple truth and works to retain and increase square dance membership.
As mentioned SQUARE4LIFE is free to any and all square dancers and clubs. To find out more about this exciting national project visit <www.feenerty.com/square4life/square4life.html>.
Inquiries may be addressed to SQUARE4LIFE director Angela Feenerty via email at <square4life@feenerty.com>.
Please Forward this message to any and all square dancers that you know.
With warm regards,
Angela Feenerty
