Fourth-graders push Golden Retriever as state dog
You know it's going to be an unusual hearing when a dog is trotting around on the floor of the Delaware House of Representatives.
On Thursday, the House approved a bill that would make the golden retriever Delaware's state dog.
It was the pet cause of Kathryne Peterson's fourth-grade class at Learning Express Academy in Newark.
"We were studying state symbols, and it sort of grew from that," Peterson said. "I asked them what state symbol they would like to see and, of course, they all love dogs."
The golden retriever didn't get the nod without a vote. The class had an "election" between that breed, the fox bull terrier and the beagle.
As a persuasive writing lesson, Peterson had the students write letters to their legislators. They landed on the desk of House Majority Whip John Viola, D-Newark.
"I loved the way they went through the democratic process in their school to pick a winner," Viola said.
The House of Representatives heard the bill on Thursday, and it brought a moment of levity to a chamber that would later consider changes to sexual assault reporting on college campuses and gun control.
Sydney Luckey, 10, said her family has a half-golden retriever named Goldie.
"They are loyal, and they are smart," Luckey said. "They are really good dogs."
The bill has a long list of the breed's virtues, including a good temperament and powerful sense of smell. It also mentions that Presidents Ford and Reagan both had golden retrievers.
The bill got a friendly "testimony" from Hebe, a golden retriever belonging to Rep. Helene Keeley, D-Wilmington South. Hebe made the rounds of the chamber, getting pets from lawmakers, peeking up from behind the Speaker of the House's podium, and delighting the class of kids.
Some lawmakers joked that they were conflicted because they owned dogs of other breeds. They said their concerns were assuaged by the fact that the state dog designation would only last for one year, allowing other breeds to get the spotlight.
"Our black lab is adamantly opposed to this bill," said Rep. Lyndon Yearick, R-Dover South.
Political observers wondered how Rep. Trey Paradee, D-Cheswold, would vote. Paradee owns a yellow lab that makes frequent appearances in Legislative Hall.
Paradee voted no at first, to huge laughter from other representatives, but changed his vote so the bill would pass unanimously.
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The Senate must also approve the bill.
When the time came for a roll-call vote, the fourth-graders started eagerly taking vote tallies. When they reached the magic majority number, 21, they broke out into cheers.
"I was really excited," said Julia Williams, age 10.
After the bill passed, as the students were leaving the chamber, Rep. J. J. Johnson, D-New Castle, said he had just talked to former Speaker of the House Bob Gilligan.
"He just looked at me and said 'I leave this place and it all goes to the dogs," Johnson said.
Contact Matthew Albright at malbright@delawareonline.com, (302) 324-2428 or on Twitter @TNJ_malbright.