Altering their tune? Pennsylvania lawmakers take into account changing the state’s official tune

Pennsylvania could quickly be altering its tune.

A proposal to ascertain a brand new state tune bought a constructive vote within the Home of Representatives, though there was some discord.

The decision to ascertain an unbiased fee to evaluation the historical past, solicit options from the general public and make suggestions handed the Home of Representatives by a 138-64 vote. It was despatched to the Senate for concurrence.

The present state tune was adopted in 1990 by an analogous committee tasked with the identical job. The tune “Pennsylvania” by Eddie Khoury and Ronnie Bonner was chosen.

However the invoice’s sponsor, Rep. Joe Ciresi, a Democrat from Montgomery County, contends that nowadays nobody actually is aware of the tune and he’s arguing it’s overdue for an replace. (If you happen to want a refresher, it begins aptly: “Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania, mighty is your title.”)

“That is one thing we must always take delight in,” he stated. “That is one thing each member of this chamber ought to have the ability to sing, even if you happen to don’t sing effectively.”

Rep. Craig Williams, a Republican from Delaware County, agreed. The primary time he heard the state tune was on the gubernatorial inauguration.

“It was an amazing efficiency of a foul piece of music,” he stated. “I believe we will do higher.”

If the invoice is accredited by the Senate, a substitute for “Pennsylvania” can be sought. A search could be entrusted to members of the Home and Senate, the general public and music specialists.

The ditty does have its supporters. Rep. Russ Diamond, R-Lebanon, defended it, although in the end he forged his vote in favor of the decision.

“As a musician, there isn’t a unhealthy music,” he stated. “There are solely tastes in music.”

“Pennsylvania” was adopted a long time in the past from greater than 200 submissions. When the Legislature accredited that tune, Khoury — then a retired jail administrator — instructed The Related Press, “I really feel nice, I really feel significantly honored. What can I say?”