Among the co-sponsors of House Resolution 642, “Recognizing magic as a rare and valuable art form and national treasure”, Idaho’s Mike Simpson claims that “there is widespread disagreement as to the magnitude of human influence on the climate and the degree to which any effort by humanity to reduce carbon output would slow or reverse the effects of climate change”.
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But even if the bill passes, American magicians might have to seek out non-governmental sources for funding.
One of Sessions’ constituents, Eric Hogue of Wylie, TX, has been pushing for the legislation.
That’s Pete Sessions chairing a hearing to repeal Obamacare.
As for Copperfield’s contribution to the bill, which mentions him by name eight times, Copperfield defers: “Really it was [Hogue and Sessions’] work”, he said.
Rep. Pete Sessions is skeptical of global warming and says big government is a waste – but he believes in the power of magic. The goal, according to the bill, isn’t to ensure more clowns on Capitol Hill, but to “support efforts to make certain that magic is preserved, understood and promulgated”. “Whereas magic is timeless in appeal and requires only the capacity to dream; Whereas magic transcends any barrier of race, religion, language, or culture”. Hogue started doing magic as a shy fifth-grader, then evolved into Clinky, a magical clown, during his college years.
Sessions’ office said the congressman was unavailable for an interview Wednesday but that he hopes the resolution will begin a discussion about the rights of performers like Copperfield, who along with others has struggled to keep competitors from stealing acts.
Things got more serious, Hogue says, after he had a backstage chat with illusionist David Copperfield in Las Vegas.
The bill describes magic as not having “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”.
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The resolution heads to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform for additional consideration.
