Idaho 6th Grader Explains Why She's Lobbying For A State Amphibian

During the Idaho legislative session, a lot of people go in front of lawmakers to make their case for why their bill or program should get support.

This session, one presentation captivated lawmakers. It came from 12-year-old Ilah Hickman, a 6^th grader at Boise’s White Pine Elementary.

She asked legislators to name the Idaho giant salamander as the state amphibian.

Adam Cotterell talked with Ilah about why she decided to do this and what it was like to speak to lawmakers.

Credit Bear Paw Battlefield / Flickr

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Lawmakers printed Ilah’s bill but so far it hasn’t had a hearing. This isn’t the first time the Idaho Giant Salamander has been proposed as the state amphibian.

Three years ago, a group of  5^th and 6^th graders made a similar case to lawmakers.