Registered lobbyists at the State House wear orange nametags. The lobbyists from Wells Memorial School yesterday wore orange T-shirts - with a pumpkin pictured on the front, and the words "Support the Pumpkin Bill" in back.

The third- and fourth-graders from the Harrisville elementary school had been studying government last year when they decided to persuade their local representative, Democrat Peter Allen, to submit a bill making the pumpkin the state fruit.

The young activists plied lawmakers with homemade plush pumpkins and pumpkin-shaped lollipops. They encouraged elementary school students across the state to start a postcard-writing campaign. They withstood a challenge from apple supporters at a January House Environment and Agriculture Committee hearing. And yesterday, they steered the pumpkin bill through an overwhelming victory in the House.

The teacher for the combined class, Kathy Frick, prepped the kids beforehand about the unpredictability of politics. They talked about not crying in the event of defeat. It turned out they had little to worry about.

Lawmakers greeted the students like royalty, as the House waved and cheered as one when the children were introduced in the gallery. After some discussion about the merits of the pumpkin -it's healthy; it's durable; it is, in fact, a fruit - and its New Hampshire connections - Keene hosts a famed festival; a New Hampshire grower produced the heavyweight champion - all but a few of the House members cast voice votes supporting the bill.

Afterward, the group celebrated in the corridor with supporters, but just briefly. Then the orange-clad bunch made its way to the street: 15 students, two teachers, one classroom aide and seven parents and grandparents.

"We had a wonderful morning,"Frick said. "But we know we have work to do in the Senate."

Back at school they expected an announcement over the loudspeakers, but the real celebration would wait.

"Now if it passes the whole place," said Glena Walker, a third-grader, "then we'll have a big party."

------ End of article

By ERIC MOSKOWITZ

Monitor staff