By Philip Marcelo
PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- In the end, calamari did not have its day at the Rhode Island State House.
The state Senate adjourned just after 10:40 pm. on Wednesday without taking up a House-approved bill to make fried squid rings and tentacles Rhode Island's official state appetizer.
Supporters of the proposal noted that the Ocean State has the largest squid-fishing fleet on the East Coast. And with a take of nearly 7 million pounds a year, they said that Rhode Island accounts for about 54 percent of squid landings in the Northeast.
"Squid is to Rhode Island what lobster is to Maine and cod is to Massachusetts," the bill stated.
But it's not the official appetizer.
The House of Representatives, meanwhile, remained in session as of 11 p.m.