April 21, 2007

OLYMPIA - The famous Walla Walla Sweet Onion is now the state’s official vegetable, thanks to the persistent efforts of 16^th District lawmakers and students from two middle schools.  

Rep. Maureen Walsh, R-Walla Walla, is prime sponsor of House Bill 1556, which was signed into law by the governor yesterday. The measure designates the Walla Walla Sweet Onion as the state vegetable.

Walsh credits the passage of the bill to a group effort that took place over three years.

“Many people had a hand in passing this bill, but I’d like to personally thank Ms. Miller’s Kirkland Junior High class and Mr. Hansen’s Eatonville Middle School class for all their help in moving the bill through the legislative process. These young men and women got a firsthand look at the legislative process and learned how difficult it can be for a bill to become law. This was the year their persistency paid off,” said Walsh. “All of us involved in this process understand there are more economically viable vegetables that could have been considered for our state vegetable – and we respect this. Our aim was not to promote the Walla Walla Sweet Onion as our state’s leading agricultural product but, rather, to reflect the individuality of our state’s geography, history and culture.”

Rep. Bill Grant, D-Walla Walla, also sponsored the measure and was happy to finally see it be signed by the governor. 

“It’s an honor that the state vegetable happens to be grown right in our own district,” said Grant. “We even have a Sweet Onion Festival every year in Walla Walla.”

The concept for the legislation originated three years ago when Kirkland Junior High School students requested that Walsh introduce the bill. Some of the students came to Olympia and testified before the House State Government Committee. Similar legislation was passed by the House last year but stalled in the Senate. An agreement between both chambers emerged in the 2007 legislative session.

In celebration of the bill’s success, Walsh hosted a barbecue at the state Capitol yesterday and served up Walla Walla Sweet Onion sausages to legislative staff.  

“My husband Kelly, who passed away last year, used to love to come over to Olympia to grill up his famous sausages for folks on campus. This year our son, Patrick, manned the grill and I know his Dad was watching with pride as we served over 400 sausages to a very appreciative crowd,” said Walsh. “My thanks go to lots of others who helped with the successful barbecue.”   

The Walla Walla Sweet Onion is grown in the region around Walla Walla County, but finds its origins on the island of Corsica. A retired French soldier named Peter Pieri found a sweet onion seed there and brought it to the Walla Walla Valley over a century ago.  

Walla Walla has celebrated the Sweet Onion Festival every July since 1984.

The 105-day legislative session is scheduled to adjourn tomorrow, April 22.  

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Contact:  Rep. Bill Grant,  360-786-7828