Senate
OKs bill to name state insect
STATE HOUSE – The American burying beetle is an endangered carrion-eating insect, but its prospects for glory are certainly on the rise, at least in Rhode Island.
The Senate voted to approve legislation to
make the beetle Rhode Island’s official state insect.
The bill (2015-S 0448) was introduced by Sen. V. Susan Sosnowski (D-Dist. 37, South Kingstown,
New Shoreham) at the request of third graders at St. Michael’s School in
Newport, who began their quest upon learning that Rhode Island is one of only
four states without a state insect.
They suggested the American burying beetle, which
was once found in many eastern states but now exists only on Block Island and
in five states west of the Mississippi River, as a means of bringing some
attention to the endangered species’ plight.
After asking legislators to introduce the bills, the students attended its committee hearings in both the House and the Senate and testified on its behalf, explaining to lawmakers that the insect serves a noble purpose as a natural recycler that helps rid the earth of the carcasses of small animals by burying bits of them underground. The beetle then lays its eggs on them, ensuring that its young have food when they hatch.
The orange and black scavenger’s population has
been in decline for a century. It was named an endangered species in 1989. Roger
Williams Park Zoo in Providence has been working for several years to save the
species by breeding it for a reintroduction project on Nantucket.
The students,
who also met with the zoo director who leads that program as part of their
effort, say naming the American burying beetle the state insect would help
raise awareness of its need for protection.
Senator Sosnowski, whose district includes the
beetle’s habitat of Block Island, said she was proud to introduce the
legislation on the students’ behalf and impressed at their significant effort
in support of it.
“The students behind this bill have worked hard
to make their idea a reality, negotiating the democratic process like adults
and exercising their rights as involved citizens. It’s been an excellent civics
lesson for them, and they’ve been a great example to other kids of how any
citizen, at any age, can be engaged in their government and make a difference,”
said Senator Sosnowski.
The legislation will now advance to the House of
Representatives, where Rep. Lauren Carson (D-Dist. 75, Newport) is sponsoring a
companion bill (2015-H 6093).