On Wisconsin! How something becomes a state symbol

Erica Quinnies |

To designate a state symbol, first you gotta get by this guy.
To designate a state symbol, first you gotta get by this guy.

If Minnesota can get away with naming their state muffin the blueberry (yes, you read that right), perhaps Wisconsin could get away with more than naming its official state bird  the American Robin. It just takes time and effort. And paperwork.

So, how is an official “state symbol” designated in the first place?

Well, like most things, designation are voted upon. Quite often school children, or other enthusiastic groups of citizens, get the state symbol ball rolling with campaigns and petitions. But it’s not as simple as saying one day, “Hey, let’s make Kool-Aid the official beverage of Nebraska” (it is, by the way).

After support for a state symbol is declared, citizens need to make a request for a bill. How does one do that? Well, one contacts one of our hardworking state representatives of course! (Wisconsin’s representatives via their congressional district can be found here) Why not call them on the phone? After polite salutations, go ahead and make a request for the state symbol you desire. When or if the state representative has the availability to draft a bill, it is then introduced to the House of Representatives.

Next, the bill winds through the state’s Legislative process. Recall, School House Rock’s “How a Bill Becomes a Law?” Well, it’s just like that. Eventually, both legislative houses approve the bill, and then it is sent to the governor for final signing, where he/she may chose to veto all or any part of the request.

When the extent of the Legislative process reaches authorization, the bill is then enacted. Thus, creating a new state symbol! And that’s how we get symbols such as official state snacks, candies, soups, and even state soils.