50 LAWS OF MARYLAND [CH. 19

WHEREAS, much of this poetry has come to us in the Twen-
tieth Century as a cultural heritage of inestimable value,
passed down from the folk lore, patriotism and religion of the
past and giving tone and character to the culture of today; and

WHEREAS, the poetry and culture of this generation will give
similar impetus and strength to the lives of coming genera-
tions; and

WHEREAS, most of the States of the Union already have
adopted and set aside October 15 of every year as "Poetry
Day"; and

WHEREAS, Margielea Stonestreet (Mrs. Charles M. See), a
well-known poet of Maryland has made personal requests of the
Governor in 1945, 1948, 1949 and 1950 to set aside and proclaim
such a day; and

WHEREAS, in recognition of the place of poetry in the cul-
tural life of the State and of the nation, it is only fitting that
we should set apart a day specially in honor of those poets of
the past and present who have done and are doing so much to
enrich the lives of all of us; now therefore

SECTION 1. Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Mary-
land, That a new section be and it is hereby added to Article
41 of the Annotated Code of Maryland (1939 Edition and 1947
Supplement), title "Governor—Executive and Administrative
Departments", said new section to be known as Section 61C, to
follow immediately after Section 61B thereof and to be under
the new sub title "Poetry Day", and to read as follows:

Poetry Day

61G. The Governor shall proclaim and set aside in each year
the day of October 15 as "Poetry Day", in recognition of the
cultural and human values of poetry and poetic expression. In
his proclamation he shall urge upon all religious, educational,
patriotic and cultural agencies and organizations a proper and
suitable observance of this day.

SEC. 2. And be it further enacted, That this Act shall take
effect June 1, 1951.

Approved February 21, 1951.