HB 96 recognizes May 3rd as “Old Man on the Mountain Day”
HB 96 was requested to be taken up next by John Potucek (R-Derry) as he had many people asking him when this bill would be taken up so they could watch. A vote to take this bill out of order was approved 353-26.
Support
In writing for the minority, Dianne Schuett (D-Pembroke) said that this bill should be one of the exceptions to the unwritten rule that the legislature does not endorse “naming days” given the significance of the Old Main on the Mountain’s role for New Hampshire in the past.
Jeff Goley (D-Manchester) said it would be unfair to other groups that sought to have days named after their people or things if this also got a day.
Opposition
In a 16-3 decision, the majority of the Executive Departments and Administration Committee recommended that this bill as inexpedient to legislate. Speaking for the majority, Chris True (R-Sandown) said that this proposed holiday would not raise awareness about the former landmark. True repeated these sentiments on the floor, also referencing a Queen song while doing so.
Tim Cahill (R-Raymond) spoke on the floor about the family members that kept up the Old Man until it fell and compared it to 9-11, which led to groans from the audience.
Potucek followed Cahill in speaking of the importance of the Old Man on the Mountain to New Hampshire’s culture. He said he had thought about it for several years.
Steve Shurtleff (D-Concord) said that the Old Man on the Mountain is a symbol, and it was declared the official symbol of New Hampshire in 1945. He also told a story about how Native Americans believed the Old Man came to be.
Votes
The inexpedient to legislate motion was not adopted, 181-198. A ought to pass motion was adopted by voice vote. A motion to print the remarks in the permanent journal was adopted by voice vote.
