House supports making the pumpkin the state fruit
CONCORD, N.H. --It's not often you see lobbyists jump for joy in the hallways of the Statehouse.
But young lobbyists from a Harrisville elementary school were full of bounce after the House voted overwhelmingly Wednesday for a bill to make the pumpkin the state fruit.
The third- and fourth-graders from Wells Memorial Elementary School spent the morning offering lawmakers pumpkin lollipops and handmade stuffed felt pumpkins while they drummed up support for the bill.
Teacher Kathy Frick's class is studying how government works and how bills become law. The lesson became hands-on when they got Rep. Peter Allen of Harrisville to sponsor the bill.
The youngsters were all grins after watching the vote from the gallery. Outside in the hall, several bounced in the air with delight. They were eager to return to school to report on their success.
"It's very exciting. We're very grateful," Frick said. She'd counseled the children not to cry if the vote went against them, but she was struggling to hold back tears after their success.
Both the children and the bill's sponsors are from the Keene area, which holds a popular annual pumpkin festival.
The youngsters now turn their attention to the Senate, where they will testify at a hearing.
Allen said pupils who testified before a House committee presented ample evidence for the bill. Other lawmakers noted that New Hampshire's own Charlie Houghton, of New Boston, holds the record for growing the country's largest pumpkin, which weighed 1,337 pounds.
Lawmakers were clearly influenced not only by students' arguments but by their hard work.
"These kids showed up. They put the effort in," said Rep. Kris Roberts of Keene.
New Hampshire has no official state fruit, though it has a state bird, insect, animal, rock, mineral, gem, amphibian, wildflower, butterfly, saltwater game fish, freshwater game fish, tartan, sport, motto, flower, tree and several songs.
The pumpkin should be the state fruit "because it's strong and sturdy like the people of New Hampshire," said Reanna Parker, 10.
