By Sam Wroblewski 630wpro.com
During a bill signing ceremony at Roger Williams Park Zoo, Governor Gina Raimondo officially named the American Burying Beetle as the Rhode Island’s state insect.
Third grade students at St. Michael’s Country Day School in Newport petitioned politicians to make the beetle the state insect in order to raise awareness of its endangered species status.
“These students are an inspiration,” said Raimondo in a statement “They truly took their education beyond the classroom.”
Raimondo also announced the opening of a drawing competition, inviting Rhode Island children to draw a picture of the beetle and mail them to her office.
The legislation to elevate the American Burying Beetle to official state status was sponsored by Representative Lauren H. Carson and Senator V. Susan Sosnowski.
