Across the eastern United States, and stretching into Canada, residents know it’s spring when they hear the chirp of the spring peeper.
Now, the tiny messenger of winter’s end is on track to become Connecticut’s state amphibian, indelibly tying the identity of the Nutmeg State to the moment when green returns to the landscape and winter coats return to the closet. The House advanced the bill codifying the peeper’s status, House Bill 5534, on Thursday by a vote of 136-0. It now goes to the Senate, where there are strong signs it has bipartisan support.
The movement to declare a state amphibian — Connecticut is one of 22 states that has none — appears to have originated in the town of Bethlehem, where fifth grade students at the local elementary school brought the issue to the attention of Sen. Eric Berthel, R-Watertown. Berthel cosponsored a bill last year alongside Rep. Karen Reddington-Hughes, R-Woodbury, but it was never taken up.
In addition to state amphibian, this year’s bill also declares Connecticut to be the birthplace of the Boys and Girls Club and names Housatonic marble — which is found throughout the state and forms part of the state Capitol — as state rock.
The inclusion of Housatonic marble is a show of political strength from the seventh graders at Mansfield Middle School, five of whom testified in support of H.B. 5534 when it came up for a public hearing before the Government Administration and Elections Committee. Seventh grade students throughout Mansfield voted in their science classes for which rock would make the most sense.
Seventh grader Jerry Liu said Housatonic marble’s prevalence had elevated it above other contenders. Those included Lantern Hill quartz and a type of breccia.
“A rare rock wouldn’t make sense, ‘cause if it’s not commonly found in Connecticut, then why have that represent us?” Liu told legislators.
Liu said 35 states already have a state rock.
“I think we’re a little behind on this,” he said.
The GAE Committee later voted to advance H.B. 5534 by a vote of 18-0. Sen. Rob Sampson, R-Wolcott, expressed disappointment that the spring peeper had beaten out the leopard frog for state amphibian but still voted in the affirmative.
Speaking after Thursday’s House vote, Committee co-Chair Rep. Matt Blumenthal, D-Stamford, said peepers choose their mates based on who chirps the loudest.
“Probably, legislators would do very well,” Blumenthal said.
