HOUSE BILL REPORT

                 SCR 8422

             As Reported By House Committee On:

            Trade, Economic Development & Housing

Brief Description:  Directing the secretary of state to coordinate and form an advisory committee for Klondike gold rush centennial events.

Sponsors:  Senators M. Rasmussen and Erwin; by request of Secretary of State.

Brief History:

  Reported by House Committee on:

Trade, Economic Development & Housing, February 24, 1994, DP.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON TRADE, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT & HOUSING

Majority Report:  Do pass.  Signed by 13 members:  Representatives Wineberry, Chair; Shin, Vice Chair; Schoesler, Ranking Minority Member; Chandler, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Backlund; Campbell; Casada; Conway; Quall; Sheldon; Springer; Valle and Wood.

Staff:  Kenny Pittman (786-7392).

Background:  The Klondike Gold Rush, which began in 1897, is an important event in the history of the Pacific Northwest region.  A result of the Klondike Gold Rush was that Seattle was used to outfit prospectors heading north to Alaska and the Yukon Territory.

Many of Washington's businesses share their early beginnings as suppliers to those early prospectors.  While the days of the Klondike Gold Rush have passed, Washington businesses still support the thousands of tourists that pass through the state on their way to the state of Alaska, the Province of British Columbia and the Yukon Territory.

Summary of Bill:  The Legislature directs the Secretary of State, in conjunction with an advisory committee, to coordinate the centennial events in 1996, 1997 and 1998 commemorating the Klondike Gold Rush with the United States National Park Service, the state of Alaska, the Canadian Province of British Columbia and the Yukon Territory.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

Testimony For:  None.

Testimony Against:  None.

Witnesses:  None.