JEFFERSON CITY — Today (7-10), the governor signed House Bill 1063, handled in the Senate by Sen. Rob Schaaf, R-St. Joseph. House Bill 1603, sponsored by Rep. Pat Conway, D-St. Joseph, is similar to Senate Bill 669, sponsored by Sen. Schaaf, both naming the jumping jack as the official state exercise.

“I am so pleased that this legislation has been signed into law,” Sen. Schaaf said. “The jumping jack was invented by Missouri-born Gen. John J. ‘Black Jack’ Pershing as a drill exercise for cadets at Westpoint. We not only honor this fine soldier and Missourian, but the hard work of numerous students from Pershing Elementary School over the years who watched this measure advance through the legislative process.”

In early May the fourth grade class from Pershing Elementary School watched from the Senate Chamber’s upper gallery when the legislation received the votes needed to move the bill to the governor’s desk for his approval.

To read more about Sen. Schaaf’s legislation, visit www.senate.mo.gov/schaaf.