Fact Check

Idaho Resolution re Napoleon Dynamite

Did the State of Idaho pass a resolution praising Napoleon Dynamite?

Published May 31, 2005

Claim:

Claim:   The State of Idaho passed a resolution commending Jared and Jerusha Hess for the production of their film Napoleon Dynamite.


Status:   True.

Example:   [Collected on the Internet, 2005]




LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF IDAHO

Fifty-eighth Legislature
First Regular Session - 2005

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 29

BY WAYS AND MEANS COMMITTEE

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
STATING LEGISLATIVE FINDINGS AND COMMENDING JARED AND JERUSHA HESS AND THE CITY OF PRESTON FOR THE PRODUCTION OF THE MOVIE "NAPOLEON DYNAMITE."

Be It Resolved by the Legislature of the State of Idaho:

WHEREAS, the State of Idaho recognizes the vision, talent and creativity of Jared and Jerusha Hess in the writing and production of "Napoleon Dynamite"; and

WHEREAS, the scenic and beautiful City of Preston, County of Franklin and the State of Idaho are experiencing increased tourism and economic growth; and

WHEREAS, filmmaker Jared Hess is a native Idahoan who was educated in the Idaho public school system; and

WHEREAS, the Preston High School administration and staff, particularly the cafeteria staff, have enjoyed notoriety and worldwide attention; and

WHEREAS, tater tots figure prominently in this film thus promoting Idaho's most famous export; and

WHEREAS, the friendship between Napoleon and Pedro has furthered multiethnic relationships; and

WHEREAS, Uncle Rico's football skills are a testament to Idaho athletics; and

WHEREAS, Napoleon's bicycle and Kip's skateboard promote better air quality and carpooling as alternatives to fuel-dependent methods of transportation; and

WHEREAS, Grandma's trip to the St. Anthony Sand Dunes highlights a long-honored Idaho vacation destination; and

WHEREAS, Rico and Kip's Tupperware sales and Deb's keychains and glamour shots promote entrepreneurism and self-sufficiency in Idaho's small towns; and

WHEREAS, Napoleon's artistic rendition of Trisha is an example of the importance of the visual arts in K-12 education; and

WHEREAS, the schoolwide Preston High School student body elections foster an awareness in Idaho's youth of public service and civic duty; and

WHEREAS, the "Happy Hands" club and the requirement that candidates for school president present a skit is an example of the importance of theater arts in K-12 education; and

WHEREAS, Pedro's efforts to bake a cake for Summer illustrate the positive connection between culinary skills to lifelong relationships; and

WHEREAS, Kip's relationship with LaFawnduh is a tribute to e-commerce and Idaho's technology-driven industry; and

WHEREAS, Kip and LaFawnduh's wedding shows Idaho's commitment to healthy marriages; and

WHEREAS, the prevalence of cooked steak as a primary food group pays tribute to Idaho's beef industry; and

WHEREAS, Napoleon's tetherball dexterity emphasizes the importance of physical education in Idaho public schools; and

WHEREAS, Tina the llama, the chickens with large talons, the 4-H milk cows, and the Honeymoon Stallion showcase Idaho's animal husbandry; and

WHEREAS, any members of the House of Representatives or the Senate of the Legislature of the State of Idaho who choose to vote "Nay" on this concurrent resolution are "FREAKIN' IDIOTS!" and run the risk of having the "Worst Day of Their Lives!"

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the members of the First Regular Session of the Fifty-eighth Idaho Legislature, the House of Representatives and the Senate concurring therein, that we commend Jared and Jerusha Hess and the City of Preston for showcasing the positive aspects of Idaho's youth, rural culture, education system, athletics, economic prosperity and diversity.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that we, the members of the House of Representatives and the Senate of the State of Idaho, advocate always following your heart, and thus we eagerly await the next cinematic undertaking of Idaho's Hess family.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Chief Clerk of the House of Representatives be, and she is hereby authorized and directed to forward a copy of this resolution to Jared and Jerusha Hess, the Mayor of the City of Preston and the Principal of Preston High School.

Statement of Purpose / Fiscal Impact

STATEMENT OF PURPOSE

RS 15236

The purpose of this resolution is to recognize and commend Jared and Jerusha Hess for their cinematic talents by which they have increased the nation's awareness of Idaho.



Origins:   The

Jon Heder as Napoleon Dynamite

2004 movie Napoleon Dynamite came to the attention of the movie-going public at the Sundance Film Festival. Made for just $400,000 by Jared Hess, then a film student at Brigham Young University, it became a nationwide phenomenon, grossing $44.5 million in the United States alone.

The film was shot in Preston, Idaho, a sleepy little town of with a population of about 5,000.

Idaho is understandably proud of Jared and Jerusha Hess for writing the film that brought so much positive attention to the state. As an expression of that, Representative Larry Bradford authored a resolution commending these two Preston natives for their movie and put it before Idaho's House of Representatives on 6 April 2005. It reads, in part, "We commend Jared and Jerusha Hess and the City of Preston for showcasing the positive aspects of Idaho's youth, rural culture, education system, athletics, economic prosperity and diversity."

The resolution passed in the House by a vote of 69-0. (One representative was

absent.)

The resolution next moved to the Idaho Senate, where President Pro Tem Robert Geddes allowed the entire resolution to be read, including the section that states: "Any members of the House of Representatives or the Senate of the Legislature of the State of Idaho who choose to vote Nay on this concurrent resolution are FREAKIN IDIOTS! and run the risk of having the Worst Day of Their Lives!"

The resolution was passed in the Senate by a voice vote.

The full text of House Concurrent Resolution No. 29 can be found on the State of Idaho's web site.

Last updated:   27 November 2005





  Sources Sources:

    Taule, Corey.   "End of 2005 Session Is 'Dynamite' for Idaho Lawmakers."

    Idaho Falls Post Register.   7 April 2005   (p. A1).


David Mikkelson founded the site now known as snopes.com back in 1994.

Article Tags