Va. Fruit Debate Cuts to the Core

Fairfax Delegate Kristen Amundson brought her bill to the House Rules Committee Wednesday on behalf of fourth-graders at Waynewood Elementary School in Fairfax County.

Originally, Amundson and Fairfax Senator Linda Puller offered bills that would designate the Ginger Gold apple as the state's official fruit. Puller's measure is pending in the Senate.

But amid concerns from agricultural interests that other varieties were equally deserving, Amundson changed her proposal to just apple.

Amundson told the committee that she doesn't care if lawmakers adopt a state fruit.

She said that what she does care about -- passionately -- is that "even fourth-graders understand that elected officials have to take you seriously and pay attention to you because you are a citizen of the commonwealth."

Information from Richmond Times-Dispatch

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