Sullivan Third Grade Project Becomes History
Norman Rockwell - official artist of the Commonwealth
The Service-Learning project regarding the Norman Rockwell proposal that a group of former third grade students from Anna Saldo-Burke's class at Sullivan Elemantary School were engaged in last school year has become history, literally.
At the beginning of September 2006, while learning about the Massachusetts state symbols during social studies class, discussion ensued regarding proposing a new official symbol for the Commonwealth. The assignment involved writing a persuasive letter to the 185th Massachusetts General Court explaining why American artist Norman Rockwell was deserving of the official artist title. First Berkshire District Representative Daniel Bosley helped steer the proposal through the legislative process.
As of August 30, 2007, the Normal Rockwell docket was House Bill 4228 and it was in the Committee on Tourism, Arts, and Cultural Development. H 4228 moved through the legislative process consisting of the first, second and third Readings. It passed in both the Massachusetts House and Senate. Then both the Massachusetts House and Senate enacted H 4228, which then landed it on the desk of Governor Duval Patrick, where he could sign it into law, send it back to be amended, or veto it.
Governor Patrick signed the law naming Norman Rockwell the official artist of the Commonwealth on February 21, 2008, which is now Chapter 45 of the Official Acts of 2008. The Norman Rockwell Museum held a special visit and honoring day reception for those students and their parents as a way to celebrate this historic moment. It was a wonderful ending to an indelible experience.
Slide Show
