JEFFERSON CITY • Kristy Lorenz's 4th grade class was on its way to the state Capitol for a field trip three years ago when inspiration struck.

Stopping in Laclede, Mo., to visit the boyhood home of Gen. John J. Pershing, the children -- who attend John J. Pershing Elementary School in St. Joseph -- learned that Pershing invented an early form of the jumping jack when he was at West Point.

The students decided to ask the Legislature to make the jumping jack the official state exercise. After all, Missouri has 25 state symbols, ranging from the traditional (the state bird) to the obscure (the state grass).

The bill hasn't passed yet. But the children, who have passed their enthusiasm for the idea on to each succeeding class of 4th graders, were back for another round today.

Sixth grader Jerrad Livingston told the House Tourism Committee that not only would the bill honor Pershing, it would help fight Missouri's status as the 11th most obese state.

It also would help balance out another state symbol, he said. Missouri's official dessert, which passed in 2008, is ice cream.

Legislators often are criticized for taking time to debate state symbols, which included disucssion today of whether to designate the regal fritillary as the official state butterfly.

While there are plenty of more important issues, the sponsor of the jumping jack bill, Rep. Pat Conway, D-St. Joseph, said it has provided students with valuable "hands-on experience in how to do a bill."

They've even weighed whether they needed to file as a political action committee with the Ethics Commission.

"They're wanting to raise money, for the buttons and t-shirts," Conway said.