HJR 2 (LSB 1068YH (2) 91)

HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION 2

BY  WILLS

HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION

A Joint Resolution designating the Iowa darter as the official state fish for the state of Iowa.

   WHEREAS, the Iowa darter (etheostoma exile) is the only fish that is named after the state of Iowa. No other plant or animal bears Iowa in its name. Originally thought to be endemic to Iowa, the Iowa darter was discovered in Iowa and documented as early as 1889; and
   WHEREAS, the Iowa darter is one of the most colorful and beautiful fish in Iowa. This vibrant fish is representative of the native fish diversity in the state of Iowa and of its varied residents. Growing to about two and one-half inches long, the Iowa darter is bright green with dark brown blotches and small red spots on the sides, its belly fading to yellow or gold and white. There is great variability in coloration of an Iowa darter, making it one of the most unique fish in the state of Iowa; and
   WHEREAS, the Iowa darter lives in clear, sluggish, vegetated streams and weedy areas of glacial lakes, marshes, and ponds. The Iowa darter is most abundant in the natural lakes in Iowa but can be found in rivers and streams in northern Iowa, as well as the Missouri and Mississippi rivers. The Iowa darter loves clean water and is an indicator of better water quality. The Iowa darter is a symbol of Iowa’s greatest habitat and water quality challenges. The Iowa darter prefers clean water just like many other residents of the state of Iowa; and
   WHEREAS, the Iowa darter is a glacial relict species that can withstand colder water temperatures and thus cold tolerance characterizes the species. Much like the residents of Iowa, the Iowa darter is cold hardy and prepared for all seasons; and
   WHEREAS, the Iowa darter is aptly named as a darter fish as the fish dart from locality to locality and then secure themselves against the water flow. The Iowa darter is a predator with quick reaction time and an uncanny ability to camouflage; NOW THEREFORE,
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA:

    Section 1.  STATE FISH DESIGNATED.  The Iowa darter (etheostoma exile) is designated and shall be officially known as the state fish of Iowa.
    Sec. 2.  APPROPRIATE REPRESENTATIONS.  The director of the department of administrative services shall obtain appropriate pictures and other representations of the Iowa darter and shall display the pictures and representations in an appropriate place in the state historical museum.
    Sec. 3.  OFFICIAL REGISTER.  The editor of the Iowa official register shall include an appropriate picture and commentary of the Iowa darter in the Iowa official register, along with the pictures of the state rock, state flower, state bird, and state tree.
EXPLANATION
The inclusion of this explanation does not constitute agreement with
the explanation’s substance by the members of the general assembly.
   This joint resolution designates the Iowa darter as the official state fish of Iowa. The director of the department of administrative services shall obtain pictures and other appropriate representations of the state fish and display the pictures and information in the state historical museum. The editor of the Iowa official register shall include a picture of the state fish along with pictures of the state rock, state flower, state bird, and state tree.