By Mr. Rushing of Boston, petition (accompanied by resolve, House, No. 3412) of Byron Rushing and others for an investigation by a special commission (including members of the General Court) relative to establishing a new seal and new motto for the Commonwealth.  Tourism, Arts and Cultural Development.

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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PETITION OF:

Byron Rushing

Timothy J. Toomey, Jr.

Matthew C. Patrick

Gloria L. Fox

Benjamin Swan

Ruth B. Balser

William Lantigua

Kay Khan

Dorothy Ali

Kenneth Vezeau

Denise Provost

Stephen Kulik

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In the Year Two Thousand and Seven.

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Resolve providing for the creation of a special commission relative to a new seal and new motto for the Commonwealth.

    Resolved,

Resolved, That a special commission is hereby established for the purpose of examining the seal and motto of the Commonwealth to determine that they accurately reflect and embody the

historic and contemporary commitments of the Commonwealth to peace, justice, liberty and equality, and to spreading the opportunities and advantages of education.

Said commission shall make recommendations regarding a revised or new design of the seal of the commonwealth and a revised or new motto of the commonwealth, as described in

chapter two, sections two to six, inclusive, of the General Laws.

Said commission shall consist of two members of the senate, three members of the house of representatives, the secretary of the commonwealth or his designee, the executive director of the

Massachusetts historical commission or his designee, the executive director of the council on arts and humanities or his designee, and five persons to be appointed by the governor, three of whom

shall be of native American descent of Massachusetts tribes to be selected from a list of six nominees to be submitted by the executive director of the commission on Indian affairs.

Said commission shall report to the general court the results of its investigation and study, and its recommendations, if any, together with drafts of legislation necessary to carry its recommendations into effect, by filing the same with the clerk of the house of representatives on or before the first Wednesday of December, 2008. Said commission shall not receive funds appropriated by the commonwealth, provided, however, that they may seek, accept and expend any grants or gifts of money, professional services, consultant services, clerical and other services and supplies from the federal government or any other private or public source in the course of its investigation and study.