Rep. Pete Sessions (R-Texas) put forward a bill on the U.S. House Monday in hopes of “recognizing magic as a rare and valuable art form and national treasure.”
We’re not kidding. Magic. In fact, don't take our word for it – you can see H. RES. 642 for yourself right here.
In its lengthy defense of why the importance of magic and magicians should be forever codified in federal law, the bill in part asserts that magic "is an art form with the unique power and potential to impact the lives of all people;" “enables people to experience the impossible,” “transforms the ordinary into the extraordinary” and “is timeless in appeal and requires only the capacity to dream” – just to name a few.
The bill goes on to cite the talents of famed magician David Copperfield as an example of why magic is an important art form to both recognize and preserve. After that, Sessions weirdly cites a Portland woman named Rebecca Brown and the mayor of a random Texas town, for some reason:
…Whereas Rebecca Brown of Portland, Oregon, left a David Copperfield magic show with a newfound inspiration to pursue her lifelong, unfulfilled passion for dance;
Whereas three months after Rebecca Brown attended the David Copperfield magic show, she performed her first choreographed recital in Portland, Oregon’s Pioneer Square…
…Whereas cities such as Wylie, Texas, and its mayor, Eric Hogue, recognize and promote the art of magic with official proclamations, summer educational programs, and the first festival dedicated to the art of magic in the State of Texas;
Whereas Mayor Eric Hogue, who learned the art of magic as a child, continues to use those skills to teach elementary school students about the different roles and responsibilities of local government…
And, because the United States has not recognized magic on a national level the way the “art form” deserves…
Whereas magic has not been properly recognized as a great American art form, nor has it been accorded the institutional status on a national level commensurate with its value and importance;
Whereas there is not an effective national effort to support and preserve magic;
Whereas documentation and archival support required by such a great art form has yet to be systematically applied to the field of magic; and
Whereas it is in the best interest of the national welfare to preserve and celebrate the unique art form of magic: Now, therefore, be it
That the House of Representatives—
(1)recognizes magic as a rare and valuable art form and national treasure; and
(2)supports efforts to make certain that magic is preserved, understood, and promulgated.
The bill, amazingly, has six co-sponsors: Rep. Ken Buck (R-Colo.), Rep. Charles Dent (R-Penn.), Rep. Daniel Donovan (R-N.Y.), Rep. Patrick Meehan (R-Penn.), Rep Mike Simpson (R-Idaho), and Rep. Steve Silvers (R-Ohio). Because Lord knows there aren’t more important things to do in Congress.
The bill has been assigned to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform for consideration. According to govtrack.us, the bill has a whopping six percent chance of being approved.