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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.