That parrot's not dead; e's just lobbyin g

“Singing parrot hits a sour note
Senate leader chastises Knoll over Groucho's renditions in the gallery.
By Mario F. Cattabiani
Inquirer Staff Writer

A singing yellow-napped Amazon parrot named Groucho ruffled the feathers of Pennsylvania's top senator yesterday, in a scene odd even by Harrisburg standards.

The incident unfolded innocently enough when Lt. Gov. Catherine Baker Knoll called for the attention of senators to recognize Groucho, who was perched in the Senate visitors gallery.

From overhead, he began to sing, though it's unclear exactly what came out. Those in the audience believed it was his rendition of three avian classics: "Camptown Races," "How Much Is That Doggie in the Window," and "Alouette."

Sen. Robert C. Jubelirer (R., Blair) wasn't impressed.

Immediately after the performance, Jubelirer approached Knoll and was seen angrily scolding her.

As lieutenant governor, Knoll presides over the Senate, but Jubelirer is the chamber's ranking official.

Later, Drew Crompton, Jubelirer's chief counsel, acknowledged the senator got hot.

"He believed it was not an appropriate thing to occur on the floor," said Crompton. "It's better to handle only business on the floor."

Groucho belongs to the National Aviary in Pittsburgh. He and his handlers were in Harrisburg, along with Patrick the Penguin, lobbying for state funding.

Johnna A. Pro, Knoll's spokeswoman, was at a loss to explain all the fuss.

Knoll, Pro said, was merely introducing the act for Sen. Wayne Fontana (D., Allegheny), in whose district the aviary is located. Fontana had arranged for the visit.

Groucho had been practicing for a half-hour, to the applause of Senate aides, before senators arrived in the chamber, and, what's more, Pro said, Jubelirer's office had given the approval for the birds to be in the gallery.

"It's disingenuous for Sen. Jubelirer to fly off the handle over this when it certainly was no surprise that [the birds] were in the Senate gallery," she said.

While he knew the birds would be up there, Jubelirer had no idea the parrot was going to perform, said Crompton.

Some senators said they felt entertained, while others didn't know what to feel.

"It was truly a surreal moment," said Sen. Joseph Conti (R., Bucks). "It was a break in our traditional decorum, and I'm still trying to draw my own opinion whether it was appropriate or not."”