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8 LONG TITLE
9 General Description:
10 This resolution encourages Utah communities to celebrate Halloween on the same day
11 each year.
12 Highlighted Provisions:
13 This resolution:
14 ▸ acknowledges the history and festivities surrounding the annual celebration of
15 Halloween; and
16 ▸ encourages Utah communities to celebrate Halloween on the last Friday in October
17 each year.
18 Special Clauses:
19 None
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21 Be it resolved by the Legislature of the state of Utah, the Governor concurring therein:
22 WHEREAS, the origins of Halloween date back many years and began with an annual
23 celebration of the harvest and the start of a new year;
24 WHEREAS, over time the traditions of Halloween changed to include carving
25 pumpkins, bobbing for apples, and children wearing costumes seeking treats from their
26 neighbors instead of performing small pranks or tricks on them;
27 WHEREAS, the tradition of costuming, masquerading, and trick-or-treating is generally
28 celebrated in Utah communities each year in the early evening hours of October 31, which
29 could fall on any day of the week;
30 WHEREAS, there are several drawbacks to this current date when it falls on particular
31 days, especially weeknights;
32 WHEREAS, celebrating Halloween on a school or work night puts a lot of stress on
33 both parents and children, having to return to school or work the following day;
34 WHEREAS, families with young children often take the kids trick-or-treating past their
35 bedtime on a school night;
36 WHEREAS, our educators struggle to teach our children when they return to school the
37 next morning, tired from trick-or-treating the night before;
38 WHEREAS, it is in the best interest of the health, safety, and welfare of the community
39 to create a standard date for trick-or-treating in the state of Utah; and
40 WHEREAS, celebrating Halloween on a Friday could minimize the holiday's negative
41 impact on schools and learning:
42 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of the state of Utah, the
43 Governor concurring therein, encourages all Utah communities to recognize the last Friday in
44 October as the date for costuming and trick-or-treating in the state of Utah.
45 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislature and the Governor encourage all of
46 Utah's citizens to be extra attentive to the activities of others to ensure a safe and fun
47 experience for all.