Washington State loves its official symbols. It has a state grass (bluebunch wheatgrass), a state song ("Washington, My Home"), a state gem (petrified wood), a state dance (the square dance), a state fossil (Columbian mammoth), and even a state tartan. But it doesn't have a state cryptid.

And that's a shame because, as loyal Ars readers know, we love cryptids (and their gravesites ), even if the subject does lead to occasional

So imagine our delight at finding out that Washington state might soon elevate the "Forest Yeti" to a noble place in its pantheon of official state symbols.

The idea is due—as so many of the best ideas in life are—to a second-grade boy, this one in state senator Ann Rivers' (R) district. Rivers recently received a letter from the boy asking her to make Bigfoot the official state cryptid, given that Washington is one of the most prolific generators of "Sasquatch sightings" in the country. Remembering how fascinated her own children had been by Sasquatch, Rivers promptly drafted a bill (PDF) and introduced it to the state legislature on Valentine's Day.

Senate bill 5816, which would make "Sasquatch the official cryptid or crypto-animal of Washington," is a brief one. It notes that "Sasquatch has made immeasurable contributions to Washington state's cultural heritage and ecosystem" and that "the state of Washington further recognizes the importance of preserving the legacy of Sasquatch."

In announcing her bill, Rivers said, "I am certain that Sasquatch, the most eminent and recognizable cryptid in North America, is a native Washingtonian. And being an official state symbol has to be a big step up from being in television commercials for beef jerky."

As for critics who charge this is a waste of government time, Rivers argues that the state senate is already moving quickly on its most important budgetary issues and that her three-paragraph bill could galvanize interest among children in the legislative process.

The bill has been referred to the Committee on State Government. We hope its members will act quickly to advance this important piece of legislation.