Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Civics And Civic Engagement topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Second graders present bill to name cherry Utah’s state fruit; Senate approves on consent calendar
Summary
A Millville Elementary second‑grade class presented House Bill 33 to the Utah Senate advocating designation of the cherry as the state fruit; senators moved the bill onto the consent calendar and recorded a unanimous favorable vote in open session (23‑0, 6 absent).
A second‑grade class from Millville Elementary visited the Utah State Senate on Feb. 19 to present House Bill 33, a centennial‑project proposal asking the Legislature to designate the cherry as the state fruit.
Teacher Sandra Merrill introduced the students, who told senators they had surveyed elementary schools across Utah and collected more than 31,000 votes. Merrill and the students said the cherry won the vote and noted the fruit’s significance to state agriculture (Utah ranks second nationally in cherry production, the students said).
Senators praised the students’ research and civic engagement on the Senate floor. After a brief presentation and questions, the Senate placed HB33 at the top of the consent calendar. Hearing no opposition, the president directed that a unanimous recorded vote be cast in favor; the tally read on the floor was 23 aye, 0 nay, and 6 absent. The president said the bill will be signed in open session and referred back to the House for final signatures and enrollment.
Senators commended the students and teachers, and some noted the educational value of having youth engage directly with the legislative process. The floor record also showed the chamber provided small cherries and cherry‑themed items to senators and visitors as part of the classroom program.
