R2 Appeal Tribune Wednesday, March 15, 2017 3B Oregon Legislature: Are there too many state symbols, commemorative days? TRACY LOEW STATESMAN JOURNAL Perhaps you know that Oregon’s offi- cial tree is the Douglas fir, its official fish the Chinook salmon, and its official ani- mal the American beaver. But did you know we also have an offi- cial chainsaw carving capital (Reed- sport)? An official team (Portland Trail Blaz- ers team of 1990-91)? An official outdoor pageant and Wild West show (Happy Canyon Indian Pag- eant and Wild West Show)? In all the state has 29 official symbols – more than a third adopted between 2005 and 2015. But that’s not all. Oregon also has 21 commemorative days or months in each year’s calendar. All but two were adopt- ed during the same time period. The month of May alone is designated Asian American Heritage Month, Mater- nal Mental Health Awareness Month and Lupus Awareness Month. Now, legislators have proposed add- ing six symbols and seven days to the list. With so many important issues facing the Legislature this session – budget, transportation, housing, health care and more – are these bills a good use of law- makers’ time? “Everything happens because it’s im- portant to somebody,” said Rick Osborn, communications director for the Senate Majority Office. “There are significant communities who are impacted by the things that are being commemorated.” Rep. Margaret Doherty, D-Tigard, wants an official state tartan, while Rep. Andy Olson, R-Albany, wants National Tartan Day in Oregon to be celebrated each April 6. Both would celebrate Scottish culture and heritage and honor the contributions of Scottish Americans to the state and country. After 90 years as state bird, it’s time for the Western meadowlark to go, Sen. Fred Girod, R-Stayton, says. He wants to replace it with the osprey. The Salem Audubon Society is opposing the effort. Border collies and rescued shelter dogs are battling for the title of official state dog. Rep. Sheri Malstrom, D-Beaverton, wants a state pie (Marionberry). The Marionberry was developed at Oregon State University, named after Marion County and is primarily grown in Oregon. “Whereas an ideal way to celebrate the wonders of a Pacific Northwest sum- mer is to share a summertime meal with friends or family that concludes with a slice of fresh Marionberry pie,” the bill reads. And in a bipartisan effort, Sen. Rich- ard Devlin, D-Tualatin and Sen. Bill Han- sell, R-Athena, are aiming for a state horse (Kiger Mustang). The Kiger Mustang is the only breed of horse to have developed exclusively in ALAN SCHMIERER/FLICKR Official insect: Oregon swallowtail. DANIELLE PETERSON/STATESMAN JOURNAL FILE Official fish: Christopher Boyd, assistant manager of Marion Forks Fish Hatchery, handles a Spring Chinook Salmon at the Minto Fish Facility in 2009. Oregon and is known for its versatility, self-sufficiency, surefootedness, intelli- gence and fast learning, “all fitting attri- butes for a symbol of Oregon,” the bill reads. Meanwhile, the Senate already has passed a bill designating the third Satur- day in March each year as Cherry Blos- som Day. It’s scheduled for a vote in the House on Monday. Also on Monday, the House will de- cide whether to designate the second Saturday in June each year as Oregon Outdoor Recreation Day. Other bills would recognize Interna- tional Women Human Rights Defenders and CEDAW Day; Oregon POW/MIA Recognition Day; Oregon Purple Heart Recognition Day; and Williams Syn- drome Awareness Month. tloew@statesmanjournal.com, 503- 399-6779 or follow at Twitter.com/Tra- cy_Loew State symbols and commemorative days Here are the bills that would designate new state symbols or commemorative days: SCR 1: Designates Kiger Mustang as official state horse. Public hearing scheduled for 1 p.m. March 6 in the Senate Committee on Rules. SCR 4: Designates Border collie as official state dog. Public hearing scheduled for 1 p.m. March 20 in the Senate Committee on Rules. SCR 18: Designates osprey as official state bird. Public hearing scheduled for 1 p.m. March 20 in the Senate Committee on Rules. HCR 13: Designates official state tartan. Referred to House Committee on Rules. ODFW Official shell: Oregon hairy triton (Fusitriton oregonensis). BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT Official gemstone: Oregon sunstone. HCR 16: Designates rescued shelter dogs as official state dog. Referred to House Committee on Rules. of every year to be Oregon POW/MIA Recognition Day. Introduced March 2, awaiting committee referral. HCR 19: Designates Marionberry pie as official state pie. Referred to House Committee on Rules. SB 993: Designates Aug. 7 of each year as Oregon Purple Heart Recognition Day. Introduced March 2, awaiting referral. SB 146: Designates third Saturday in March each year as Cherry Blossom Day. Passed the Senate on Feb. 21, scheduled for a vote in the House March 6. HB 2143: Designates second Saturday in June each year as Oregon Outdoor Recreation Day. Scheduled for a vote in the House on March 6. SB 957: Declares Nov. 29 of each year to by International Women Human Rights Defenders and CEDAW Day in Oregon. Introduced March 2, awaiting committee referral. SB 992: Designates third Friday in September HB 2591: Designates month of May of each year as Williams Syndrome Awareness Month. Referred to House Committee on Rules. HB 3062: Recognizes April 6 of each year as National Tartan Day in Oregon. Introduced Feb. 27, awaiting committee referral.