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62 °F Forecast | Road Cams Tuesday, March 8, 2005 Today's News | Classifieds | Autos | Homes | Jobs | Tempo | Health | Community | Home Delivery SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion Tempo AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map SPECIAL SECTIONS Since We Asked Outdoor Journal Menu Guide How To Guide Health Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Real Estate Guide Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Wedding Guide Passport to the Rogue Valley SHOP OUR VALLEY AutoFinder HomeFinder JobFinder Classified Place an ad TOP JOBS EXTRA NIE Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People Volunteer Moving here? eSouthernOregon CUSTOMER SERVICE FAQ's Advertise with us Home Delivery Employment Contact Us Media Kit Oregon Road Conditions & Cams Email Story to a Friend March 8, 2005 Pear must await its day in the sun New proposals postpone vote to initiate pear as official state fruit By DON JEPSEN for the Mail Tribune SALEM — A House committee postponed until Wednesday a vote on a proposal to make the pear the state fruit of Oregon to consider an amendment submitted by Harry and David, which sells holiday and gift baskets. The amendment names some of the major varieties of pear grown in the state and cites the "most delicious" pear and fruit gift baskets produced in the Rogue Valley and Hood River that are sold nationally and internationally. Leigh Johnson, director of government relations for Harry and David in Medford and a former legislator, asked the House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee to consider the amendment. Chairwoman Patti Smith scheduled a work session Wednesday to allow time to get the amendment printed. The committee also plans to adopt another amendment striking the word "European" in describing the pear. Monday’s hearing was brief, with none of the witnesses opposing the House Joint Resolution 8. John McCulley, who represents other tree fruit growers in Medford, Hood River, The Dalles and Milton-Freewater, said he had talked with his clients, including cherry orchardists. Advertisement "There was no opposition from them. They are happy to have the pear as the official state fruit," he said. Also testifying was Kevin Moffitt, president and chief executive officer of Pear Bureau Northwest, Milwaukie. The bureau represents pear growers in Oregon and Washington, the leading producers of fresh pears for the market. "By designating the pear as the official state fruit, we can increase the public’s awareness of our product," he told the committee. Don Jepsen is a freelance writer living in Salem. Mail Tribune Home | Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life | Opinion AP News | Archives | Site Map | Community | Classified Copyright © 1997-2005 Mail Tribune, Inc. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | Website Feedback Student Loan Consolidation Conference Calls - $50/Month Home Security Systems Trunks, Footlocker, Trunk, Footlockers home equity loans helzberg Slippers Student Loans afsa teleconferencing Memory Foam Mattress Advertisement s