H-1159              _______________________________________________

                                                    HOUSE BILL NO. 622

                        _______________________________________________

State of Washington                              49th Legislature                              1985 Regular Session

By Representatives Vekich, Braddock, Basich, Kremen, J. King, Nutley, Schoon, Sanders, Peery, McMullen, Hargrove, L. Smith, Niemi, Brough, Bristow, Unsoeld, Todd, Allen, Armstrong, D. Nelson, Cole, Appelwick, Smitherman, G. Nelson, P. King and May

Read first time 2/8/85 and referred to Committee on Trade & Economic Development.

AN ACT Relating to the Washington centennial commission; amending RCW 27.60.900; adding a new section to chapter 27.60 RCW; and creating a new section.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1.     The legislature declares that Captain Robert Gray's discovery of Grays Harbor, successful crossing of the Columbia river bar, and first entry into the great "River of the West" on May 11, 1792, were some of the greatest events in Northwest maritime history.  The legislature further declares that Captain Robert Gray's exploration of the Columbia river, Grays Harbor, and Washington's coastal regions and Captain George Vancouver's exploration and mapping of Puget Sound and Washington's coastal regions were events of momentous historical significance and must be preserved for the inspiration of future generations.  To these ends, the legislature finds that it is in the public interest to establish a "Return of the Tall Ships" program.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 2.  A new section is added to chapter 27.60 RCW to read as follows:

          (1) The 1989 Washington centennial commission shall include in its comprehensive program events commemorating:

          (a) The first successful crossing of the Columbia river bar and exploration of the Columbia river, Grays Harbor, and Washington coast by Captain Robert Gray; and

          (b) The exploration and mapping of Puget Sound and the Washington coast by Captain George Vancouver.

          The year 1992 will mark the bicentennial of the voyages of both Captain Robert Gray and Captain George Vancouver.

          (2) The commission shall develop and implement the "Return of the Tall Ships" program.  The purpose of this program is to develop destination tourism attractions which shall include reconstructed, life-sized replicas of the "Columbia Rediviva" and the "Discovery," the vessels which carried, respectively, Captain Robert Gray and Captain George Vancouver to this region.  The commission shall consider locating the destination tourism attractions required by this section in the economically depressed areas of the state.

        Sec. 3.  Section 6, chapter 90, Laws of 1982 and RCW 27.60.900 are each amended to read as follows:

          The 1989 Washington centennial commission as established by this chapter shall cease to exist on December 31, ((1990)) 1993.