HB 1, the bill to designate the Idaho Giant Salamander as the official state amphibian, will get a hearing Monday morning at 9 in the House State Affairs Committee, sponsors Sen. Janie Ward-Engelking and Rep. Ilana Rubel announced today. The bill’s author and chief sponsor is Boise 8^th grader Ilah Hickman, who has been working on getting the bill passed for five years; last year, it passed the Senate, but didn’t get a hearing in the House. The bill is co-sponsored by Reps. Christy Perry, R-Nampa, and Pat McDonald, R-Boise.

“This is an example of what we want for Idaho’s children,” said Ward-Engelking, a retired teacher. “We want them involved in Science, Technology, English and Math. Ilah Hickman has become an active participant in her education and has moved to the point where she is now a role-model for other young students.” She noted that a 4th grade class in Sandpoint is now involved in Ilah’s project, too.

“My children are around Ilah’s age and she is a great example for them,” Rubel said. “I believe that she is doing exactly what our young people should be doing: she is being an active, engaged citizen of Idaho.”