CHAPTER 269 - SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION
AUTHORIZING THE GOVERNOR TO APPOINT A COMMISSION TO PLAN AND EXECUTE ITS PLAN FOR THE CELEBRATION OF THE THREE HUNDREDTH ANNIVERSARY OF THE FOUNDING OF FIRST PERMANENT CIVILIZED SETTLEMENT IN THE STATE OF DELAWARE.
WHEREAS, in the year 1938, will occur the three hundredth anniversary of the founding of the first permanent civilized settlement in the State of Delaware and in the entire Delaware River Valley, by the Swedes in 1638; and
WHEREAS, it is fitting that the State of Delaware should celebrate such anniversary in a manner commensurate with the importance of the occasion and the dignity of the State and, to that end, should co-operate with the government of the United States, the governments of the States of Pennsylvania and New Jersey, and other States and government of the Kingdom of Sweden; therefore,
Be it resolved by the Senate of the State of Delaware, the House of Representatives concurring therein:
Section 1. That the Governor of the State of Delaware be and he is hereby authorized and requested to appoint a Commission to be called The Delaware Tercentenary Commission, which shall consist of thirty-three members, whereof the Governor and the Mayor of Wilmington shall be two members ex-officio, all three counties of the State to be represented, by residents thereof, in the remaining thirty-one members. The Governor is further authorized and requested to call the members of The Delaware Tercentenary Commission to meet in Dover for the purpose of organization as soon as possible after their appointment.
Section 2. That the duties of said Commission shall be to prepare plans and to carry out and execute said plans for a fitting celebration, in the year 1938, by the State of Delaware of the three-hundredth anniversary of the founding by the Swedes, in the year 1638, of the first permanent civilized settlement in the territory of the present State of Delaware and in the entire Delaware River Valley, at Fort Christina, near "The Rocks" on the Christiana River, and, to that end, to co-operate with other State Commissions, the National Commission, and the Commission appointed by the Government of the Kingdom of Sweden, also with all other commissions, committees, organizations and individuals having a similar purpose.
Section 3. That said Delaware Tercentenary Commission be and is hereby authorized to acquire, by any practicable method, The Rocks" and a sufficient area behind them, and to put the place in order and to arrange for its permanent preservation.
Section 4. That said Commission be and is hereby further authorized to take over from the present Delaware Swedish Tercentenary Commission all rights and powers granted to it by joint resolution of the Congress of the United States authorizing the coinage of a half-dollar commemorating this tercentenary and to receive from said last named commission all moneys hitherto received by it from the subscribers and purchasers of said coins, less any portions of said receipts hitherto paid out by said last named commission on account of necessary expenses incurred by it in the discharge of its duties, and to continue to sell said commemorative coins and to use the entire proceeds thereof in its discretion to meet, as far as possible, the expenses of the proposed celebration in any and all of its aspects.
Section 5. That said Delaware Tercentenary Commission be and is hereby authorized to make such report as it deems advisable to the General Assembly of Delaware during its present session, with such recommendations for further legislation by the General Assembly as it deems proper and necessary for the proper fulfillment of its duties.
Section 6. That said Delaware Tercentenary Commission shall make its final report and submit it to the General Assembly in the year 1939.
Approved February 10, 1937.