A group of fourth graders in New Hampshire proposed a bill to make the Red-Tailed Hawk the state raptor. However, some state representatives mocked the bill and made inappropriate comments. The bill was eventually defeated, but the show Last Week Tonight declared the Red-Tailed Hawk as their official raptor. The show highlighted the impressive abilities of the hawk and celebrated the efforts of the fourth graders.

The New Hampshire legislature refused to make the red-tailed hawk the official raptor of their state...so we made it the official raptor of our show.

-♪ ♪ -♪ -♪ New Hampshire, where live free or die is a legitimately difficult choice.

It has always held a special place in American politics.

And earlier this month, some local fourth graders visited the state capital to learn how government worked.

As part of a civics project, a group of fourth graders, including nine-year-old Mya Roka, crafted a bill to make the Red-Tailed Hawk the official state raptor.

Cuttings, fourth grade class, arrived in the House gallery to watch their bill come up for a vote.

They were greeted by enthusiastic applause.

What a great opportunity for the kids to engage in the political process and be inspired.

I can only presume that their state raptor bill sailed right through.

We already have a state bird but now do we need a state raptor?

So are we going to have, you know, flightless birds, waterfowl, pet birds, garden birds, wild birds?

How many of these bills do we need to have?

If we keep bringing more of these bills, and bills, and bills forward, that really, I feel we shouldn't have in front of us, we'll be picking

And sadly, the story didn't end there, because State Representative Warren Groen also decided it was appropriate to use the red-tailed hawk to make a completely unnecessary point.

It's known for its extremely strong and sharp talons, which it grasps its prey, but it grasps them with its talons and then uses its razor-sharp beak to rip its victim to shreds and to basically tear it apart limb by limb.

And I guess the shame about making this estate, Bert, is...

It would serve as a much better mascot for Planned Parenthood.

a start, everyone knows Planned Parenthood already has a mascot.

It's Plan B, the Planned Parenthood bill.

The legislature actually defeated the children's bill, 133 to 160.

And presumably, then celebrated by looking up at the kids and saying, nice try, idiots.

By the way, Santa's not real and Dora the Explorer can't hear you.

Now, this must have been devastating for the kids, but if their stupid state government will not properly honor the red-tailed hawk, then we will.

And that is why I am proud to announce the red-tailed hawk is the

new official raptor of last week tonight.

In fact, here it is, a real, live, predatory hawk in a television studio.

And to show just how wrong New Hampshire legislators were to deny those fourth graders from Lincoln-Ackerman School their red-tailed hawk request.

The official raptors of last week tonight.

They'll grab a pheasant while doing a mid-air 360!

Here's some red-tailed hawk facts from a guy in the 90s.

Red-tailed hawks found all over North America, probably the most common bird of prey in the US.

Most of the books estimate their grasping strength is about 200 pounds per square inch of pressure.

The stooping speed for the red-tailed here is about 100 to 120 miles an hour.

And all this is why the red-tailed hawk is last week tonight's official Raptor!


Speaker 0: -♪ ♪ -♪ -♪ New Hampshire, where live free or die is a legitimately difficult choice. It has always held a special place in American politics. And earlier this month, some local fourth graders visited the state capital to learn how government worked.

Speaker 1: As part of a civics project, a group of fourth graders, including nine-year-old Mya Roka, crafted a bill to make the Red-Tailed Hawk the official state raptor.

Speaker 2: Mr. Cuttings, fourth grade class, arrived in the House gallery to watch their bill come up for a vote. They were greeted by enthusiastic applause. Well, that's fantastic.

Speaker 0: What a great opportunity for the kids to engage in the political process and be inspired. I can only presume that their state raptor bill sailed right through.

Speaker 3: We already have a state bird but now do we need a state raptor? Isn't that a bird? Isn't that an animal?

Speaker 4: So are we going to have, you know, flightless birds, waterfowl, pet birds, garden birds, wild birds? How many of these bills do we need to have?

Speaker 5: If we keep bringing more of these bills, and bills, and bills forward, that really, I feel we shouldn't have in front of us, we'll be picking

Speaker 6: a state hot dog next. -...what is wrong with you? -...what is wrong with you? -...what is wrong with you?

Speaker 0: A, this doesn't matter. B, the children are in the room. And C, this doesn't matter. Just vote yes and make them happy. And sadly, the story didn't end there, because State Representative Warren Groen also decided it was appropriate to use the red-tailed hawk to make a completely unnecessary point.

Speaker 4: It's known for its extremely strong and sharp talons, which it grasps its prey, but it grasps them with its talons and then uses its razor-sharp beak to rip its victim to shreds and to basically tear it apart limb by limb. And I guess the shame about making this estate, Bert, is... It would serve as a much better mascot for Planned Parenthood.

Speaker 6: AUDIENCE GASPS

Speaker 0: What the fuck are you talking about?

Speaker 6: For a start, for

Speaker 0: a start, everyone knows Planned Parenthood already has a mascot. It's Plan B, the Planned Parenthood bill. Hey, guys,

Speaker 6: did you hear

Speaker 0: the buzz on spermicidal lubricants? No, thank you, Plan B. You're the best. And this wasn't just a few cranks. The legislature actually defeated the children's bill, 133 to 160.

And presumably, then celebrated by looking up at the kids and saying, nice try, idiots. By the way, Santa's not real and Dora the Explorer can't hear you. Now, this must have been devastating for the kids, but if their stupid state government will not properly honor the red-tailed hawk, then we will. And that is why I am proud to announce the red-tailed hawk is the

Speaker 6: new official raptor of last week tonight. In fact, here it is, a real, live, predatory hawk in a television studio.

Speaker 0: And to show just how wrong New Hampshire legislators were to deny those fourth graders from Lincoln-Ackerman School their red-tailed hawk request. We've prepared this.

Speaker 6: Red-tailed hawks. The official raptors of last week tonight. Why? Because they effin' rock. Hawks rock.

They'll take out a rattlesnake! Snake killer! Jail on a basketball hoop! Chillin'! Then they'll feed their babies!

But wait! That's not all! They'll grab a pheasant while doing a mid-air 360! 360! Let's watch that again!

3-1! Awesome! But don't just take it from us. Here's some red-tailed hawk facts from a guy in the 90s.

Speaker 3: Red-tailed hawks found all over North America, probably the most common bird of prey in the US.

Speaker 6: This guy's incredible. Give me more hawk facts, man.

Speaker 3: Most of the books estimate their grasping strength is about 200 pounds per square inch of pressure.

Speaker 6: Badass! 1 more hawk fact.

Speaker 3: The stooping speed for the red-tailed here is about 100 to 120 miles an hour.

Speaker 6: That's enough hawk facts! And all this is why the red-tailed hawk is last week tonight's official Raptor! Raptor Scream! -♪ Scream! ♪ -♪ Scream!

Speaker 0: ♪

Speaker 6: Congratulations, fourth graders! Red

Speaker 0: Hawks are awesome!

Speaker 6: You

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Red-Tailed Hawks: Last Week Tonight with John Oliver (HBO)