Candy Desk facts for kids
The candy desk is a fun and sweet tradition in the United States Senate. It's a special desk where a United States senator keeps a drawer full of candy for other senators to enjoy! This tradition started way back in 1968. The senator who sits at this desk is usually from the political party that has the most members in the Senate. Right now, Senator Pat Toomey from Pennsylvania is the one in charge of the candy desk.
Contents
The Sweet History of the Candy Desk
The candy desk is located in the back row of the Senate chamber. This spot is perfect because it's near a busy entrance. Many senators walk by it, making it easy for them to grab a quick treat!
How the Candy Desk Started
The candy desk tradition began with Senator George Murphy from California. He was a famous movie actor before he became a senator. In 1968, he started keeping candy in his desk drawer. He offered it to his fellow senators. This simple act of kindness quickly became a beloved tradition.
Senators and Their Candies
Over the years, many different senators have taken on the role of the "candy desk senator." Each one has brought their own favorite candies to share. Often, they choose candies from their home state. This is a cool way to show off local treats!
- Senator George Murphy (California, 1968-1971) was the first.
- Senators like Paul Fannin (Arizona) and Harrison Schmitt (New Mexico) kept hard candies.
- Rick Santorum (Pennsylvania, 1997-2007) filled the desk with treats from The Hershey Company and Just Born. These are big candy makers in Pennsylvania!
- Craig L. Thomas (Wyoming, 2007) shared candies from small local Wyoming businesses.
- George Voinovich (Ohio, 2007-2009) offered Spangler Dum Dum Pops and Mars, Incorporated products.
- Mark Kirk (Illinois, 2011-2015) brought Wrigley's Gum, Garrett's Popcorn, Tootsie Rolls, and Jelly Belly beans.
- Today, Senator Pat Toomey (Pennsylvania) continues the tradition. He stocks the desk with candies from Just Born Quality Confections, Josh Early Candies, Mars products (like 3 Musketeers), and Hershey products.
This tradition shows a friendly side of politics. It's a small way for senators to connect and share a sweet moment during their busy days.
Images for kids
-
George Murphy, a one-term senator from California, is considered the founder of the candy desk tradition.
