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Students help push Walsh's
Walla Walla sweet onion
bill through House
The famous Walla Walla sweet onion is one step closer to becoming the
state’s official vegetable through a measure passed by the House today.
House Bill 1964 is a concept brought forth by Kirkland Junior High
School students and being carried through the Legislature by
Rep. Maureen Walsh,
R-Walla Walla. The measure would designate the Walla Walla Sweet Onion
as the official Washington state vegetable.
“When the students brought this idea to my attention I was so impressed
with their knowledge of the issue – and I learned a lot from them about
the history of the Walla Walla sweet onion. They really did their
homework and the extent of their research was apparent in their
testimony before the House State Government Committee. They have truly
put their hearts into this endeavor and are determined to see it through
the entire process,” said Walsh. “It has been a great lesson in civics
for these students and their teacher, Ms. Miller, deserves a lot of
credit. She and her ninth-grade students are a shining example that
anyone can influence the legislative process.”
Rep. Bill Grant, D-Walla Walla, is Walsh’s seatmate and co-sponsor of
the measure.
“Maureen has worked very hard to encourage these students to participate
in the legislative process,” said Grant. “What better way to teach kids
about democracy than to get them actively involved?”
This is the third year of the students’ campaign to push the bill
through the Legislature. Over 160 students have participated in the
effort, with five students testifying before a House committee in March
2005.
“I know there are other interests that would prefer different, perhaps
more well-known and economically viable vegetables to become our state
vegetable – and I respect this,” said Walsh. “Our aim is not to promote
the Walla Walla sweet onion as our state’s leading agricultural product.
Rather, the students and I believe the Walla Walla sweet onion reflects
the individuality of our state’s geography, history and culture.”
House Bill 1964 faces a less certain outcome in the Senate, but Walsh
and the students remain hopeful their measure can move forward to the
governor’s desk.
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For more information, contact:
Sarah Lamb, Public Information
Officer - (360) 786-7720
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