AN ACT adopting the MORAVIAN cookie and the moravian star as the official state cookie and star.

Whereas, during the 18th century, settlers from the European kingdom of Moravia traveled to America and founded the town of Salem (now Winston‑Salem) in North Carolina in 1766; and

Whereas, when the Moravians settled in North Carolina, they brought with them a spice cookie similar to the German Lebkuchen cookie; and

Whereas, these thin spice cookies are known as Moravian cookies and made of ingredients such as molasses, allspice, and ginger; and

Whereas, the Moravian cookie is one of the most popular cookies in North Carolina; and

Whereas, Moravian cookies have been made and sold in Winston‑Salem since the 1950s and millions of pounds of cookies are baked, packaged, and distributed worldwide annually; and

Whereas, sales of Moravian cookies promote tourism in the State and contribute to the State's economy; and

Whereas, many believe the Moravian star originated in Germany in the 1830s during a geometry lesson at the Moravian Boys School; and

Whereas, the star was adopted by the Moravian Church as an advent symbol and later became a popular symbol all around the world; and

Whereas, the Moravian star is usually hung the first Sunday of Advent and remains up until Epiphany, January 6; and

Whereas, it is fitting to recognize the positive impact the Moravians have had on North Carolina's culture by adopting the Moravian cookie as the official State cookie and the Moravian star as the official State star; Now, therefore,

The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:

SECTION 1.  Chapter 145 of the General Statutes is amended by adding the following new sections to read:

§ 145‑52.  State cookie.

The Moravian cookie is adopted as the official cookie of the State of North Carolina.

§ 145‑53.  State star.

The Moravian star is adopted as the official star of the State of North Carolina.

SECTION 2.  This act is effective when it becomes law.