I am taking a lot of good-natured ribbing (it is good-natured, right?) about my HB 1837, which would name the Ginger Gold the official state fruit. Here’s how it came about.
Last year, students from Kathleen Norton’s fourth grade class at Waynewood Elementary School wanted to meet with Sen. Toddy Puller and me. They were very clear about their expectations. They had read that citizens could come to elected officials with good ideas, and that’s what they were doing.
Why, they wondered, did Virginia have a state flower, a state bird, and even a state bat–but no state fruit?
We didn’t know. But the children had a good idea. They had done their research and proposed two possibilities for us: the cantaloupe or the Ginger Gold apple. They had researched the economic impact of the various fruits on the Virginia economy. They had learned about the nutritional contributions of the fruits to a healthy diet. They had even found a way to bring in Thomas Jefferson when we presented the bill to committee!
After some consideration, we decided that we could carry a bill naming the Ginger Gold apple as the official state fruit. I don’t know if it will pass–today’s news clippings brings a story of some apple growers who oppose the selection of this particular apple.
I’m going to do all I can–and in the meantime, I plan to stay in touch with this year’s fourth grade class. The most important lesson I can teach these children is not about the history of the apple or about Virginia’s official emblems. It’s that anyone–even a fourth grader–can make a difference.
If you are referring to me, then yes, it is good-natured… but, don’t let that get around. I want everyone down there in Richmond to be on notice that they too could star in one of my caricatures… ;>
Duly noted. I’ll tell people, “Be careful — you, too, could end up on Craig’s Musings!”
You already know where I stand on this bill, Kris.
Alas, my version would never, ever, EVER pass, so good luck with your version. :) Hopefully those kids won’t end up as jaded as me.
I hope the 4th grade class takes a field trip to Richmond soon and testifies in favor of their bill. Getting a bill passed while still in elementary school is rather awesome, in my view.
I think we will have actual Ginger Gold apples to pass out next week. Del. Watkins Abbitt (who represents Nelson County, where the apple originated) that he will try to bring some samples!
With everything else going on in Richmond, this is the good news story of the session. Thanks for carrying this through.