So, the marionberry was an option...

A group of elementary school children in Washington, DC saw that some other children, in Florida, had successfully lobbied Governor Bush and the Florida Legislature to make the orange the official fruit of the great State of Florida.

http://csmonitor.com/2006/0309/p20s01-legn.html

Taking a page from their book, the kids of Terry Bunton's class wrote a letter to the DC Council, and began pressing for the adoption of the cherry as the District's official fruit.

http://www.makethecherryofficial.com/

Since the honesty and integrity discussed by these young people are not necessarily attributes associated with The District (or at least not of the 535 temporary residents that work in that big white domed building); or, for that matter, Marion Berry, the DC Council was, at first, taken aback. After some discussion, they determined that the cherry is a far better choice than the marionberry (who knew?); or, the Marion Berry.

[There is a rumour floating around that consumption of too much marionberry jam can make you desirous of smoking crack and marijuana, as well as frequenting prostitutes and running for municipal office.]

Said Mr. Bunton, "The children were eloquent, dignified and persuasive." [The mere fact that they were eloquent and dignified places them on a higher plane than either of the Senators from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.]

In any event, the cherry is now the official fruit of the District of Columbia, proving once more that government works for everyone...or that it can work for everyone, if you have a bunch of cute little kids as your spokespeople.

Congratulations to these fine young people and to their excellent teacher, Mr. Bunton.