THE OLYMPIAN (Olympia, Washington) 30 April 07 Students see their frog bill become law (Adam Wilson)
There was a brief discussion about how it worked before the Boston Harbor Elementary School students agreed it would be best if Gov. Chris Gregoire signed their bill Monday.
After all, if she initialed it, it would mean she was vetoing the bill they had lobbied for since January.
“I’ll take my frog off — and now it’s law,” said Gregoire, removing a toy plastic ring before signing House Bill 1069.
It names the Pacific chorus frog as the official amphibian of Washington, joining the likes of the state bird, willow goldfinch; the state gem, petrified wood; and the state grass, bluebunch wheatgrass.
Really, getting the bill signed wasn’t as tough as getting passed by the Legislature, said student Adam Sloma.
“I thought we were going to have to do another testimony hearing,” said the third-grader Monday.
He was one of a few students selected to answer legislators’ questions during two committee hearings on the bill during the past session.
Armed with research they did on the frog in class, they explained the Pacific chorus frog is known for its loud chirping and small size.
The frog also lives in every county in the state — a key factor in avoiding regional disputes among lawmakers.
“It is as we will call it, a one-Washington frog,” Gregoire said.
Teacher Keitlyn Watson suggested the bill as part of a class project that included studying the frog, writing reports on it, learning how laws are made and convincing Olympia Rep. Brendan Williams to carry their bill.
“The kids loved it. They have been working on it for a very long time. They’ve tracked it every step of the way,” said Sloma’s mother, Jennifer Priddy.
She and several other parents were on hand Monday to see the bill signing.
“These kids wanted to engage their government, and they engaged it at the level of frogs, which seems appropriate for third-graders,” said Williams.
Students see their frog bill become law