By Marshall Griffin, St. Louis Public Radio
Jefferson City, Mo. – The Missouri House today killed a bill that would have designated "Seaman" as the state's Historical Dog.
Seaman was the Newfoundland Retriever that accompanied Lewis and Clark on their exploration of the Louisiana Purchase two centuries ago.
The bill's sponsor, State Representative Jason Brown (R, Platte City), says he's surprised by the bill's rejection.
"Not everything that comes to the (House) floor passes, and I think everybody knows that...there (are) two 4th grade girls, 5th grade girls now, that are sitting up there in Platte County that don't understand why there was such fierce opposition against making Seaman the State Historical Dog," Brown said.
Those voting "no" gave numerous reasons. Some said considering the state's budget woes, choosing a State Historical Dog was a waste of both time and money.
Fellow Republican Bryan Munzlinger from rural Northeast Missouri preferred another dog, "Old Drum," an early 20th Century hunting dog.