Legislation Naming Hershey's Kiss 'State Candy' Advances In PA

HARRIBSURG — Hershey is a town in Pennsylvania.

Hershey chocolates have long been a staple in Pennsylvania.

And now, a trio of Keystone State lawmakers are seeking to honor the sweet treat by naming the Hershey's Kiss the official state candy of the commonwealth, something that was born out of the minds of some young students from suburban Philadelphia.

On Wednesday, the legislators sponsoring the proposal to have the Hershey's Kiss named Pennsylvania's state candy announced that the measure, Senate Bill 1122, has moved out of a legislative committee and now awaits action on the full Senate floor.

"I'm thrilled to see this student-generated legislation move forward," State Sen. Maria Collett, a Democrat from Montgomery County, said in a statement. "Hershey's Kisses have become an iconic candy not only in Pennsylvania, but around the world, and their production has a profound impact on the Commonwealth's economy — from our dairy industry to manufacturing to retail. It's only fitting that this sweet treat becomes our official state candy."

The proposal to make the Hershey's Kiss the state candy came from an idea by middle school students from Newtown Township in Bucks County, according to Collett's office.

Known as the Hershey Kiss Committee, the students, who now attend Council Rock North High School, ended up taking their idea all the way up the chain, meeting with Hershey executives, lobbying legislators, drafting bill language and generating media attention.

"It was interesting to see the back-and-forth discussion about the bill," the student committee said in a joint statement. "Although the legislators did not agree with each other, they still had a civil and respectful conversation. We really enjoyed our experience."

In addition to Collett, who represents certain communities in Montgomery County, the other two lawmakers who sponsored the bill were State Sen. Steve Santarsiero of Bucks County, and State Sen. John DiSanto of Dauphin and Perry Counties in central Pennsylvania.

Collett said that she hopes the experience inspired the students and other youngsters to engage with their elected officials and make their voices heard in Harrisburg.