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LEGISLATION BY SEN. STEELMAN NAMING THE NORTON/CYNTHIANA
GRAPE AS THE OFFICIAL STATE GRAPE, AND ESTABLISHING REQUIREMENTS FOR THE
USE OF THE TITLE "SOCIAL WORKER", SIGNED INTO LAW
The following was released by state Sen. Sarah Steelman on Monday, July
14, 2003.
Contact: Jane Rydlund at (573) 751-4068
JEFFERSON CITY- Two bills sponsored by Sen. Sarah Steelman, R- Rolla,
were signed into law, naming the Norton/Cynthiana grape as the official state
grape, and establishing requirements for the use of the title “social worker.”
“The Norton grape enjoys a long history of earning prestige for Missouri
wine producers,” Steelman said. “It showcased Missouri’s culture, locally,
nationally and abroad, which greatly promotes tourism in this state.”
Norton grapes produce a rich, hearty, dry, red wine with some aroma and flavor
similarities to those that come from France's Rhone Valley. With the honors
came notoriety, and President U.S. Grant is known to have kept a supply of
Missouri wine in the White House cellars.
“No matter where you go in the United States, people know about Missouri
wine country,” Steelman said. “Declaring an official Missouri grape in honor
of this great heritage is long overdue.”
The grapes were discovered in Missouri by a group of German immigrants who
relocated from Philadelphia. The Germans bought several hundred acres beside
the Missouri River in Gasconade County, Missouri, and founded the hillside
town of Hermann. By 1850, they had established a local economy from winemaking.
At one point, Missouri single-handedly saved the wine industries in California
and France by exporting the hardy, pest-resistant rootstock. European immigrants
of the 19th Century learned that grafting European vines with the native
vines yielded a fine wine, creating a boon for Rhineland wine producers.
“The 16th District encapsulates Missouri’s wine country, drawing hundreds
of tourists and enthusiasts to Mid-Missouri throughout the year,” Steelman
said. “Missouri boasts more than 30 wineries, and Missouri winemakers are
winning regional, national and international awards.”
Missouri’s grape and wine industry is surrounded by a litany of festivals,
but perhaps the most popular is the grape stomp, which takes place every
summer at the Stone Hill Winery in Hermann. Stone Hill was once the third
largest winery in the world.
“The Norton grape is durable, and deserves to be recognized as our state
grape,” Steelman said. “It has played a significant role in our history,
and helps tourism and cultural events grow in Missouri every year.”
Helping people of Missouri is also part of HB 332. Sen. Steelman sponsored
the Senate’s version, which establishes requirements for the use of the title
“social worker.”
This bill prohibits persons from holding themselves out as being a social
worker or using the title "social worker" unless they hold a current license
in baccalaureate or clinical social work issued by the State Committee for
Social Workers or hold a degree from an accredited social work program approved
by the Council on Social Work Education.
“This bill protects Missourians from people claiming to be social workers,
who do not have the education and skills to help our citizens with problems
in their communities,” Steelman said. “Protecting the lives and health of
Missourians is and always will be our first priority in the legislature.
Included in this bill is a provision requiring that beginning January 1,
2004, no entity, public or private, may use the title "social worker" for
volunteer or employment positions within contracts for services, documents,
manuals, or reference material unless those persons being referred to have
met all educational requirements set by the bill.
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