Keystone Today

A group of middle school students wants to make the name “Hershey’s Kisses” synonymous with the company’s home state of Pennsylvania.

The kids have gotten the attention of state legislators, including State Sen. Maria Collett (D-Lower Gwynedd Township), who on Valentine’s Day introduced a bill in the Pennsylvania Senate to make the aluminum-wrapped chocolates the official candy of the Keystone State.

She announced the introduction of her bill on Feb. 14, which is the perfect day to do so because chocolate has long been associated with Valentine's Day.

Sen. Maria Collett | Facebook/Maria Collett

“This Valentine’s Day, I’m introducing legislation to make Hershey's Kisses Pennsylvania’s official state candy,” Collett posted on Facebook. "The sweet idea was brought to me by the Hershey's Kiss Committee, a group of passionate Bucks County middle school students. During session last week, I treated my colleagues to some Hershey's Kisses and encouraged them to support our efforts!"

Collett is currently seeking cosponsors for her bill. The legislation has a companion bill in the House, House Bill 2150, according to the state legislative website.

The Hershey Chocolate Co. introduced Kisses in 1907, according to the chocolatier's website. There is some debate over the origin of the candy's name, with one rumor claiming the sound the machine makes during production sounds like a kiss, and another explanation saying it just refers to a small piece of chocolate.

The Kiss hasn’t always had a smooth ride, though. During World War II, an aluminum shortage forced the company to stop production for about five years, between 1942 and 1947.

Although it was offered only in milk chocolate for a long time, candy shoppers today can choose from an array of flavor varieties.