PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- You may call it squid, you may call it calamari.
But the R.I. House of Representatives voted Friday night to call it the official state appetizer.
With more than 120 bills on its calendar as the end of the session looms, the lawmakers settled one of the more curious bills before it this year.
But not without five minutes of debate.
"Rhode Island is indeed the squid capital of the East Coast," declared state Rep. Joseph McNamara, D-Warwick Democrat, as he spoke in favor of his proposal.
State Rep. Joseph Trillo, R-Warwick, quipped: "Congratulations, Rep. McNamara, this is really worthwhile legislation. If we are going to be ridiculed for anything, I think this is the one."
Added House Minority Leader Brian Newberry, R-North Smithfield: "We've known since January that this is the year of improving Rhode Island's economy, and this bill is clearly central to the Democratic economic development agenda."
Trillo was among just three House legislators who voted against the bill. Sixty-two voted in favor,including Newberry. Here's the roll call.