Bill > H4058

This bill establishes a special commission to investigate and support the preservation of Polish culture and history in the Pioneer Valley, an area with a high percentage of residents of Polish heritage. The commission's purpose is to promote public support and funding for Polish cultural preservation activities in western Massachusetts, acknowledging the contributions of people of Polish heritage to the region and the Commonwealth. It will assess available public and private resources for researching Polish language, history, culture, genealogy, music, and the immigrant experience, acting as a central point for legislative and private efforts to secure funding for archival and educational initiatives. The commission will consist of members appointed by the Speaker of the House, the Senate President, and the Governor, with specific representation from individuals of Polish heritage or involved in Polish heritage organizations in Hampshire, Hampden, or Franklin counties, a representative from the Polish Discovery Center in Chicopee, and a designee from the Slavic studies department at UMass Amherst. The commission can receive state funding and may use meeting spaces at state universities or community colleges in the Pioneer Valley, and it is required to submit a report, including a fiscal note, by July 1, 2017.