14 smiling, cheering 3rd and 4th graders left the statehouse today.
The Wells Memorial Elementary School students from Harrisville had just completed their mission: convince the Legislature to make the pumpkin the state fruit.
New Hampshire Public Radio's Dan Gorenstein has the story.
The 3rd and 4th graders sat on the Senate floor, waiting for lawmakers to take up their pumpkin bill.
Up to this point, the legislation had enjoyed overwhelming support.
But despite that, the students weren't very confident.
T.1
:05 (the senate is about to vote on the Pumpkin bill, how are you feeling) (in unison) Nervous...I am scared, my stomach is very scared. I had butterflies this morning.
The students had waged an intense campaign in both House and Senate on why New Hampshire should adopt the pumpkin as the state fruit.
The orange orb is grown in all ten counties.
Keene has set a world record for most lit pumpkins at nearly 30 thousand.
A lot of other states have already designated the apple, including Vermont.
But Logan Symons says the class had to spend most of its time explaining the basics.
6:15 I think probably the hardest part was to tell the Senators and Representatives that it wasn't a vegetable. It's not a vegetable, it's a fruit.
A group of 9 and 10 year olds pushing a bill through the New Hampshire citizen's legislature is ripe with metaphor.
But Senate Chaplain David Jones wanted to make sure the point was lost on no one.
T.2
:45 this day pumpkins should remind you why it is you sit in these 24 seats, b/c here is the reason right here...however you vote today, and I dare you, I dare you. But however you vote today on this bill remember this, these are the little seeds that however you act here will determine how well it germinates for the rest of their lives. So be very, very careful...(fade down) let us pray.....
All along, lawmakers have applauded the kids for their research and their commitment.
But speaking in favor of the bill, Senator Bob Flanders- who represents Harrisville- told colleagues the students also have an instinct for politics.
T.5
:40 what they presented to us in the Senate was about how making the pumpkin the state fruit would bring revenue in. And they came in and they showed us gift shops could sell pumpkins and t-shirts on it, and pencils...so they didn't miss a trick.
2:36 I hate to be the guy that brings this up...
Senator Bob Boyce.
....but I think this body has much more important things to do and these kids have more important things to do. It's good they are here learning about the legislative process, but I think they have been here too much. I think history will look on this as the state Senate looking like fruits rather than the state pumpkin. Thank you.
Boyce isn't the only person at the statehouse who didn't love the bill.
Some think it's a just a waste of time.
One lobbyists said it would have been better if students had rallied around an issue with great social impact.
And some just didn't like the idea of the pumpkin becoming the state fruit.
But on this day, like all the others, the pumpkin bill rolled right through.
5:35 Senator Gallus?...
6:25 The ayes have it, 23-1. (applause) motion ought to pass is adopted. Ordered to third reading.
Now the final step. A meeting to convince the Governor.
6:57 what's one good reason why I should sign the bill into law? B/c a lot of other states have a state fruit and it seems like a hole in our state a little bit...and b/c we have gone this far, and you know we've gone this far and you want to sign it. Yes. How about you. We think also b/c we have done a lot of work in lobbying and testifying. Plus, you are really nice.
Whether due to the kids charm, the bills merit, overt flattery, or a combination of all of the above, Governor John Lynch told the 14 students he would sign the bill at a special ceremony in Harrisville later this spring.
He announcement left the students feeling ecstatic.
T.7
1:05 I am super happy, I can't believe it passed and is going to be the state fruit.
T.8
1:23 this is even more, well it is more important. It's hard for me to explain....Christmas and my birthday, I know they are going to come up. I didn't know this was going to pass, and I thought it wasn't...every time I know my birthday is coming up I am happy and excited, but not as happy and as excited as this.
The students' teacher Kathy Frick said she had no plans to pursue a similar project with her class next year.
But she confessed that all may not be done with the pumpkin.
T.10
2:33 ... we are very interested in that pumpkin license plate...and we've given that a lot of thought, we don't know how license plates are made or anything, and I would like ot work with this group again... they already know the legislative process.
All the students agreed this school year would remain with them into the future.
After they're through, so may the entire state.
For NHPR News, I'm DG.
