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Committee hears supporters for adding Dylan and Prince to state-song list; bill laid over
Summary
Senate File 1592, which would codify Hail Minnesota as the state song and add Bob Dylan's 'Girl from the North Country' and Prince's 'Purple Rain' to a statutory list, received testimony from musicians, family members and Hibbing tourism representatives and was laid over for possible inclusion.
Senate File 1592, a bill to add additional state songs to Minnesota law and to codify “Hail Minnesota,” was heard March 11 in the Senate State and Local Government Committee and laid over for possible inclusion.
Author Senator Rob Kupak (appearance and spelling as recorded in the hearing) told the committee the measure would place “Hail Minnesota” into statute and add two additional songs — Bob Dylan’s “Girl from the North Country” and Prince’s “Purple Rain” — to reflect the state’s musical heritage. Several testifiers described the historical and cultural ties.
Betsy McCann, a longtime marching-band director, recounted the long performance history of “Hail Minnesota” at university events and said the song had been designated by the legislature in 1945 but had not been codified in statute. Ted Fiskebold, who drafted the proposal years earlier, told the committee he hoped adding Dylan and Prince would renew interest across generations.
Sharon Nelson, Prince’s sister, testified on behalf of the Nelson family and said Purple Rain’s designation “is an honor that I know would have meant so much to him.” Mary Palsich Keyes, speaking from Hibbing, described local ties to Bob Dylan and a memorable concert performance of “Girl from the North Country” in Hibbing.
Committee members asked whether multiple official songs was appropriate and noted precedent in other states with multiple designated songs. Senator Kupak said the list would preserve the historic song while allowing recognition of later works that resonate with other generations. With no further debate, the committee laid the bill over for possible inclusion.
