ORANGE BECOMES FLORIDA'S OFFICIAL FRUIT
Publication: ABC-News
Printed: Friday, May 20, 2005
Written by: Vickie Chachere, Associated Press Writer

Orange Becomes Florida's Official Fruit After Bill Is Passed by Gov. Jeb Bush

SARASOTA, Fla. May 20, 2005 — It's a safe assumption that the orange is Florida's official state fruit, right?

After all, Florida orange juice is sold worldwide, the Orange Bowl brings thousands to the state every New Year's Day and the fruit's image is on the state's license plates. And if the Legislature had time to name the zebra longwing the state's official butterfly, surely it took a moment to put King Orange on his throne.

In fact, it took Janet Shapiro's students at Southside Elementary School to get state officials to recognize the orange. A bill was passed this spring, and Gov. Jeb Bush signed it at the school Friday.

Bush said he was "completely surprised" that while the orange blossom is the state flower and orange juice is Florida's official beverage, the role of official fruit was vacant. Citrus generates an estimated $9.1 billion in economic activity in Florida and employs nearly 90,000 people.

"It's really part of our heritage. It's more than appropriate," the governor said.

Shapiro's class discovered the orange omission a year ago when they were fourth-graders reading about kids in New Jersey who made blueberries that state's official fruit.

The group of 17 social studies pupils put together a petition to give the orange its due, sent letters to their lawmakers and even wrote a song extolling the health benefits and tastiness of the fruit. Its chorus urges, "Vote Orange!"

Their project came too late in the 2004 legislative session to be introduced, but they persuaded lawmakers to act this spring.

Kayla George wore a bright orange shirt and stood next to the governor as he officially gave the orange its due.

"Yes, I love them," the 11-year-old said. "I was just getting ready to peel one."

Copyright 2005 The Associated Press.

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