FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 30, 2021
Senator Cheryl C. Kagan
District 17 (Rockville & Gaithersburg)
301-858-3134
PRESS RELEASE: FINALLY Repealing MD’s State Song!
Annapolis, MD: Maryland’s Confederate-themed State Song contains lyrics that defend slavery; glorify an era of racial discrimination; and refer to President Lincoln as a “tyrant” and a “despot.”
Several legislators have attempted to repeal and/or replace “Maryland, My Maryland,” including Sen. Cheryl Kagan with SB222 in 2016 and SB790 in 2018. Last night, with a veto-proof vote of 95-38, the House of Delegates passed Kagan’s State Song Repeal bill, SB8.
“The murders of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Freddie Gray, and too many others finally persuaded my colleagues that it was time to remove this deplorable ode to the Confederacy from our law books,” said Sen. Cheryl Kagan. “Maryland pride runs deep. Our State Song should celebrate the beauty and diversity of our home.”
The companion bill in the House (HB667), sponsored by Del. Sheree Sample-Hughes, is making its way through the Senate.
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Senator Kagan (D-District 17) is in her second term representing Gaithersburg and Rockville. She serves as the Vice Chair of the Education, Health, & Environmental Affairs Committee. Kagan has earned a reputation as an independent-minded legislator with a strong voice on election reform, public safety, consumer protection, and more. Since 2003, Kagan has hosted “Folk ‘N Great Music” Concerts in her Rockville home featuring national touring singer/songwriters. Kagan is active on social media and can be found on Facebook at Sen. Cheryl Kagan, on Twitter at @CherylKagan, on Instagram at @CherylCKagan, and on YouTube at Sen. Cheryl Kagan.
(301) 858-3134
Cheryl.Kagan@senate.state.md.us