FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Lance Gideon, Press Secretary
Lance.Gideon@iga.in.gov
317-234-9221
STATEHOUSE (Feb. 23, 2024) – State Sen. Ron Alting (R-Lafayette) recently met with Wyandotte Elementary School fifth grader Arrayah DeWitt during her visit to the Statehouse to discuss Indiana's need for an official state fish.
She presented a letter she wrote to Alting in which she discussed a research project she completed earlier this year, which found that Indiana does not have an official state fish.
During her meeting with Alting, DeWitt proposed declaring the Hoosier Cavefish as Indiana's state fish, noting the fact it lives in caves to be "interesting."
She also believes the Hoosier Cavefish would make a good state fish because it has the word Hoosier in its name.
"I am always encouraged when students from Senate District 22 visit me to discuss topics that are important to them," Alting said. "I was impressed with Arrayah's research about the Hoosier Cavefish and her interest in having it declared as the official state fish."
The Hoosier Cavefish is a blind, subterranean species of fish found in southern Indiana caves.
In 2018, Alting authored Senate Enrolled Act 236, which designated the Say's Firefly as the official state insect of Indiana.
"I'd like to thank Arrayah for bringing her proposal to my attention and can't wait to see the bright future she has ahead of her," Alting said. "Next year, I plan to work on legislation with my Senate colleagues that would make the Hoosier Cavefish Indiana's official state fish."
State Sen. Ron Alting (R-Lafayette) and Arrayah DeWitt pose with a plaque commemorating the signing of Senate Enrolled Act 236 (2018), which designated the Say's Firefly as the official state insect of Indiana.
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State Sen. Ron Alting (R-Lafayette) represents Senate District 22,
which includes Carroll County and portions of Tippecanoe County .
Click here to download a high-resolution photo.
