States findings of the Legislature and encourages the celebration of America250 in Idaho.

LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF IDAHO Sixty-eighth Legislature Second Regular Session - 2026 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 22 BY STATE AFFAIRS COMMITTEE A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION1 STATING FINDINGS OF THE LEGISLATURE, DECLARING 2026 TO BE THE YEAR OF VOL-2 UNTEERISM AND THE AMERICA250 IN IDAHO SERVICE CHALLENGE, RECOGNIZING A3 THEME SONG TO CELEBRATE AMERICA'S 250TH BIRTHDAY, AND ENCOURAGING ALL4 IDAHOANS TO COMMEMORATE AMERICA'S 250TH BIRTHDAY BY SIGNING IDAHO'S5 REPLICA OF THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE.6 Be It Resolved by the Legislature of the State of Idaho:7 WHEREAS, the Idaho Legislature has invited all Idahoans to promote an8 awareness and understanding of the principles contained in the nation's9 founding documents, including representative government, personal respon-10 sibility, individual liberty, and equal and inalienable rights; and11 WHEREAS, the Idaho Legislature has encouraged Idahoans to reflect on12 American and state history and heritage, develop deeper connections within13 their communities, and advance Idaho's contributions and values for the14 benefit of our children and future generations; and15 WHEREAS, Idaho is proudly joining the nation in celebrating America's16 250th birthday by implementing America250 in Idaho, a statewide effort to17 honor our nation's founding, engage families and students, and create last-18 ing memories for future generations; and19 WHEREAS, using Spuddy Buddy, the official mascot of the Idaho Potato20 Commission, the Revolutionary Spud characters were created to honor his-21 toric revolutionary leaders, and each was given a personality as well as22 handcrafted costumes to make history fun, approachable, and unforgettable23 for Idahoans of all ages; and24 WHEREAS, the Revolutionary Spuds are official America250 in Idaho am-25 bassadors and have traveled thousands of miles throughout the state visiting26 community events and collecting signatures for the historic capitol rotunda27 Declaration of Independence; and28 WHEREAS, thousands of Idahoans have already signed Idaho's replica of29 the Declaration of Independence, which hangs in the capitol rotunda; and30 WHEREAS, "Forever Idaho" is the official theme song for America250 in31 Idaho ambassadors and the Revolutionary Spuds and was created as a gift for32 all Idahoans; and33 WHEREAS, the song "Forever Idaho" celebrates Idaho's breathtaking34 landscapes, resilient communities, and shared love of home as we come to-35 gether to honor America's 250th birthday and beyond; and36 WHEREAS, the America250 in Idaho ambassadors are setting a bold vision37 and challenging Idahoans to collectively perform 250,000 acts of ser-38 vice from January until July 4, 2026, inviting every generation, from our39 youngest students to our wisest seniors, to join hands in this shared en-40 deavor and fill our communities with hope and kindness.41 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the members of the Second Regular Ses-42 sion of the Sixty-eighth Idaho Legislature, the House of Representatives and43

2 the Senate concurring therein, that the Idaho Legislature declares 2026 to1 be the Year of Volunteerism and the America250 in Idaho Service Challenge.2 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the members of the Legislature recognize3 "Forever Idaho" as the theme song of the America250 in Idaho ambassadors and4 the Revolutionary Spuds and invite all Idahoans to include this song in their5 celebrations throughout 2026 and beyond.6 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the members of the Legislature encourage all7 Idahoans to commemorate America's 250th birthday by signing Idaho's replica8 of the Declaration of Independence, so that their names will be included in9 this powerful display of American patriotism.10